From Water Pipits to Stone-curlews!

Saturday 15th March 2025.

I never planned to go and see the Stone-curlews, but when I heard they had arrived in a neighbouring county, then I had to go and try for the birds in the north-east of our county instead! What with three other 'year-ticks', it was a superb day.

Another busy day’s ‘birding’ with Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher produced four more ‘year-ticks’ for us at a variety of sites in the north-east part of Hampshire and also a good variety of birds to be seen too. The weather was superb with near unbroken sunshine for most of the day, however, it was tempered by that awfully cold north-easterly wind. It was positively balmy if you were out of the wind, but if exposed, we were glad that we were well wrapped up! Today, my target bird was the Water Pipit at Drayton Watercress Beds at Alresford, which was present yesterday along with a Barn Owl and then onto nearby Alresford Pond and finally, once we had heard that the Stone-curlews were back at Winterton Down in Wiltshire, why not try for one at a site in north-east Hampshire we knew of?

The Moth Boxes:

Andy had all the moths this morning by his Moth Box. From top to bottom, Small Quaker, Hebrew Character and an Early Grey.

Sadly, there were no moths whatsoever in or around my Moth Box this morning, though it was bitterly cold with that wind breezing through the garden and with a clear overhead sky, I wasn't really surprised. However, we had much better luck at Andy’s Moth Trap with the discovery of up to FIVE moths that included my first Hebrew Character of the year. Two Early Greys and two Common Plume moths made up the rest of the moths present. A good start to the day.

Drayton Watercress Beds, Alresford:

The Drayton Watercress Beds. Two tractors were working the Beds when we arrived, but after the workmen had left, it didn't take too long to find the Water Pipit.

I have to say, that it was a pleasure driving through the countryside to get to the Watercress Beds as the 'Sat Nav' took us past Old Winchester Hill (a Raven flew high over the road and a Red Kite was at eye level low over a field close to the roadside), through West Meon and then on north to Alresford. We arrived around 9.30am and already, there were a few ‘birders’ already present and most likely after the Water Pipit too. Joining these guys, we picked up at least three Green Sandpipers over the far side, while overhead, both Common Buzzard and at least three Marsh Harriers were in the sky; the latter species contained two female birds and a male that was displaying to the females. Even a Red Kite drifted over the fields on the other side of the Beds, but to trump that, a Barn Owl was hunting over the scrub behind us and though a bit distant, it showed well perched up in some trees.

Above, up to three Red-legged Partridges were present here and below, the Barn Owl put in an appearance as it hunted briefly over the scrubby field behind us.

There were plenty of raptors around with Marsh Harriers (above) and Red Kites present. Geoff even found a Kestrel nearby, though I missed that!

Actually, on arrival, a Red-legged Partridge flew across in front of us and then settled just below a hedgerow. As I was making my way to the entrance of the Beds, two more Red-legged Partridges flew across my path and settled briefly by the edge of one of the Beds close by. There were two tractors working the Beds at the northern end, but soon the workmen here got into a lorry and headed off into town and so leaving us in peace to check the Beds thoroughly for the Water Pipit. I found a few Pied Wagtails dotted around on the concrete edges and also a Meadow Pipit, but after ten minutes or so, then I found the Water Pipit through the scope, walking close to the water's edge, though it was not easy to see through binoculars as Geoff found out. I quickly got Andy onto the bird through the scope as we notched up our first ‘year-tick’ of the day.

Happy with the Water Pipit sighting, we walked back to the car and had a refreshing cup of coffee from my flask to warm up. Though it was bright and sunny here, it was damn cold with that wind! Geoff picked out a Little Egret hunched up against the cold over on the far side and several Mallard were present on the Beds, dabbling in the shallow Beds.

Alresford Pond, Alresford:

There was a good number of a mixed flock of Gulls present on Alresford Pond and what with Marsh Harriers over the reedbeds, it was a lovely place.

An adult Yellow-legged Gull was present on the Pond yesterday among the many Gulls present and Geoff knew of a parking place nearby and so we got back into the car and made our way there. However, we had to walk a stretch of the B3046 to reach a gate that took us to a superb viewpoint overlooking the Pond, but it was scary with cars passing close to where we walked. On reaching the viewpoint, there was a nice bench for the guys to sit while I checked the distant large Gull flock. While checking the Gulls, Geoff picked up at least SIX Marsh Harriers flying over the reedbeds, while other birds present included up to three Shelduck, 20+ Teal and numerous Mute Swans dotted around the Pond (it really should be called a lake for it was quite big!).

Above, Teal swimming on the Pond and below, another photo of the Gull flock with more birds coming into bathe on the Pond.

As I checked the Gulls, it didn't take long to find the Yellow-legged Gull, well two birds actually, sitting on the water behind the main flock of Gulls, which contained Black-headed, Mediterranean (at least 60+ birds) and Common Gulls, all of various age groups. The Yellow-legged Gulls looked a tad dark as the sun disappeared behind some clouds, but clearly identified when the sun came out again and also when they took flight, Our second ‘year-tick’ of the day! Having heard news that a flock of House Martins were seen over Fishlake Meadows this morning, it was eyes to the skies again, but no Hirundines were found during our half hour here. A Grey Wagtail was heard calling nearby, but I failed to find the said bird. Another check of the Whatsapp pages revealed that the Stone-curlews had returned to Winterton Downs in Wiltshire with 7 birds present. So I made a decision to go back to where we saw them yesterday in the north-east of the county.

North-east Hampshire:

The male Wheatear Geoff found in the field at our first destination looking for the Stone-curlews.

As you can expect, I will not reveal the actually site where we headed too for the security of the Stone-curlews and so when we arrived at the site where we saw them last year, we parked up at the edge of the road and scanned the ploughed area in front of us through the hedgerow. We spent a good hour or so here in search of the birds, but it was all in vain. However, Geoff found a stunning male Wheatear hopping about in the field, our first of the year and so it wasn't to be a disappointing trip here after all. The bird, though a bit distant, showed well for a good twenty minutes or so as we scanned the neighbouring field for the birds.

Above, this Violet Oil Beetle was found on the track and below, Marsh Violets were growing by the hedgerow nearby.

Geoff found a more comfortable spot to view and also out of the wind, but a gate where we had lunch and enjoyed the variety of birds here. It included a sizable flock of Fieldfare and Redwing (both species have been quite scarce this Winter in Hampshire) in the fields and on the hedgerows, we found at least two Corn Buntings and a single Yellowhammer. A flock of around 30+ Linnets passed overhead and a small flock of Lapwing were nearby too with some birds ‘tumbling’ in the sky. Sadly, there was a lot of distant gunshot going off, which I think Wood Pigeons were the target birds as we saw some guy putting out decoy Pigeons on the ground close to where he was hiding close to the hedgerow. Dickhead! Well over a thousand Wood Pigeons were seen in the fields way in some of the distant fields and much closer was a very pale Common Buzzard sitting on the field to the north until flying off strongly to avoid being shot hopefully. I really don't trust some of these shooters with their guns who couldn't resist a passing shot at the raptors.

Above, one of a sizeable flock of Fieldfare and below, a male Yellowhammer by the track.

So after an hour, I decided to try another area for the Stone-curlews where we were successful in the past, which was only 15 minutes away. On arrival, we parked carefully and then took the walk down the muddy track, checking the fields all the time for any of the Stone-curlews and other birdlife. Geoff found a large Beetle scurrying along the track, which I eventually identified as a Violet Oil Beetle; and quite a large individual too. A flock of Fieldfare along the track was unexpected with at least a dozen birds seen flying in front of us and as we neared the site for the Stone-curlews, it or another flock of Fieldfares flew across the field again along with a small flock of Starlings.

Another distant 'ropey' photo of the Stone-curlew.

I was sure I heard a Stone-curlew calling and when we arrived at the site, I quickly got the scope set up to check out the area set up for the birds. Nearby, a Corn Bunting was singing in the neighbouring hedgerow and by the edge of the set-aside area, a large flock of Linnets were seen feeding, though most of the birds soon flew off. We had to wait a while for the Stone-curlews to show and when they did, there were big grins on both our faces as our fourth ‘Year-tick’ of the day was achieved. There were actually two birds present; one sitting on the ground and close by, just behind it, another bird was standing; though with the distance and the heat-haze, viewing and even photographing the birds was not as straightforward as one would have hoped. Never mind, the birds ALWAYS come first as we soon put Geoff onto the birds and then slowly made our way back to the car and the long trip back home, but not before the birds called again. Hopefully, another good breeding season for these individuals.

Some shaky (because of the wind) film footage of one of the Stone-curlews this afternoon.

A cracking day again where we managed to see all our target birds today; including an unexpected Wheatear into the bargain too. Another Wheatear was found on Toyd Down this morning as well and a flock of 7 Sand Martins were seen over Ibsley Water today. Andy wasn't done with getting more ‘year-ticks’ today as he made his way to the Bat & Ball pub, Hambledon, to find his first Tawny Owl of the year.