Quiet seawatch & Redstart at Woolmer Pond.

Thursday 10th April 2025.

Dawn over the Solent.

It was back down to Southsea seafront this morning for yet another ‘Sea-watch’ on another clear and still morning over a flat calm sea. Then later this morning, I took my dogs for a nice long walk around Woolmer Pond in search of the Redstart that had been reported there. OK, it was a long drive up there with the dogs, but they behaved nicely in the back of the car. A quick look on Birdguides revealed that the Least Sandpiper was still at Medmerry RSPB Reserve and unbelievably, a Booted Eagle was found in Kent! Two in the UK perhaps? 

Southsea seafront:

Above and below, Sandwich Terns over the Solent. At least they were entertaining on such a quiet morning here. 

In all honesty, despite a two and a half hours there, it was very slow this morning with long periods of nothing but Gulls passing through. At least the Sandwich Terns kept me entertained. It kicked off nicely with two flocks of Whimbrel passing through heading east, with flocks of 5 and 12 seen. Though sadly, that was probably the highlight here with two adult Shags, an adult Gannet, 4 Common Tern, 12 Med Gulls and two flocks of Brent Geese (5 & 10 birds) heading east. A Linnet came in off the sea and flew straight into the Gardens behind me. I found out later that the same guy who was here last week and got a hatful of goodies was also here this morning, somewhere. He said he saw a Hobby and Peregrine coming in off the sea!! How lucky was that!

Above and below, Brent Geese heading east over the Solent.

Above, the Oil Tanker Ellie Nova was helped into the Solent by a Tug. Yes, it was that quiet! 

Woolmer Pond, Bordon:

This Treecreeper showed very well in the small wood on the edge of the Pond.

After doing a few chores at home, I grabbed the dogs and put them in the car and then drove up to Woolmer Pond. A Redstart had been reported here again yesterday and so I thought I would try my luck. A pair of Common Buzzards were on the wing high over the A3 on the way up to Woolmer, but nothing else of note to get the blood pumping! On arrival at the small car park, I carefully took the dogs across the main road (for they do speed down by the roundabout). Walking through the wood to the perimeter fence, a Treecreeper showed very well climbing a Silver Birch tree while Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard singing within the woodland.

Above, another photo of the Treecreeper and below, Tufted Ducks on the Pond.

Above, a Goldfinch high up in one of the Silver Birches by the footpath. Below, one of many Chiffchaffs here.

On reaching the Pond, a good scan over the water revealed good numbers of Tufted Duck, at least 4 Little Grebes and around a dozen Grey Lag Geese. Other birds here included Coots, Moorhens, Mallards and at least 10 Black-headed Gulls. I couldn't find any Hirundines over the Pond or the tree opposite, though the Red flags were up and the sound of gunfire echoed around the site and probably kept the birds down.

Above, one of the Common Buzzards soaring north of the Pond and below, I found this male Goldcrest searching for insects on the Cottage itself.

Above and below, the Buzzards were seen mating and luckily for them, they had a veil of leaves to hide behind!

Above, another photo of the Buzzard and below, the Red Kite came in to inspect a probable kill.

Above and below, the Red Kite. Notice below, the twisted tail of the Kite about to land.

Above, a Comma butterfly landed on the brambles by the footpath near the main road and below, a view of Woolmer Pond looking south.

I had the dogs on the lead all the time as we slowly made our way to the Cottage. Earlier, I bumped into Richard Ford making his way back through the woods and he told me that he had a Redstart by the Cottage, but it was quiet otherwise. On the way to the Cottage, a Siskin flew over and both a male Blackcap and Chiffchaffs were seen. There was very little wind which encouraged the raptors to show and a pair of Common Buzzards were soaring above and believe it not, they were later seen mating in the small wooded area near the Cottage! From here, after a lengthy search in the Cottage Garden of which a Goldcrest, Blackcap, a few Chaffinches and a singing Chiffchaff were noted; there was no sign of any Redstarts. But while I watched the Buzzards, I then heard the Redstart singing in the same wood. I only managed one glimpse of the bird high up on a Pine tree, but although the bird was constantly singing, it was obviously flitting from tree to tree and remained elusive despite my best efforts to view the bird.  Giving up in trying to get a photo of the bird, out popped at Red Kite circling over the wasteland to the north. Several Crows had gathered on the ground and probably had found something dead to eat hence why the Kite circled low and eventually landed out of view among the Crows.

The Treecreeper in the small wood by the Pond.

I gave the dogs a good drink and a few dog treats before making our way back to the car, but nothing else of note was seen; but they enjoyed their walk and behaved nicely on the car journey back home. I shall be taking them out on journeys again in the near future, but I must take their drink containers on future journeys instead of drinking from my water bottle!