The superb Hobby catching a dragonfly on the wing over Fishlake Meadows.
Another superb days birding with Geoff, Andy, Matt & Emma that took in the Nature Reserves of both Fishlake Meadows and Testwood Lakes today. The weather was a bit overcast at first, but the sun eventually came out while we were down Fishlake, which brought out the raptors. There were plenty of 'Year-ticks' to be had today and we certainly grabbed them to add to our impressive year list. Though the Moth Boxes were very quiet, Andy's Box came up trumps with a real stunner.
The Moth Boxes:
My first Swallow Prominent moth for many a year.
There were still no significant numbers in my Moth Box or the surrounding garden this morning and, sadly, nothing new for the year either. However, it is always good to get any moths to look at and this morning we had 11 moths and two Hoverflies to check out. A Bloxworth Snout, a regular species to my garden, was present along with a Common Pug, which would not settle for a photo, flew off on my arrival. My second Lychnis of the year was in one of the egg trays, outside the Box. The moths in my garden this morning included the following:
Bloxworth Snout x1
Double-striped Pug x3
Shuttle-shaped Dart x1
Light Brown Apple Moth x1
Ruddy Dart x1
Common Plume x1
My second Lychnis moth of the year.
Sadly, there were only two moths from Andy’s Moth Box, a Double-striped Pug and amazingly, a superb Swallow Prominent. This stunning moth was probably only the third one I have ever seen; the last being on a wall near the shops in Bishops Waltham several years ago. I really thought there was going to be more moths as it was quite mild overnight, but that's the way the cookie crumbles I suppose.
Fishlake Meadows, Romsey:
Blackcaps put in a lot of appearances here, especially along the Canal Path.
Andy, Geoff and myself met up with both Emma & Matt Parkes on this site just after 9am and though we witnessed a little crash in the Car Park between two drivers, there was nothing to be alarmed about after we spoke to the lady driver. Blackcaps, Cetti’s Warblers and Chiffchaffs were in full song all around the Car Park and good views were had of these birds throughout our stay here.
Andy doing his version of 'reeling' while the Grasshopper Warbler is singing behind him! Below, the real thing; a superb Grasshopper Warbler in song.
We caught up with Matt overlooking the reedbeds to the west and he told us that the Grasshopper Warbler was ‘reeling’ from a leafless bush and it didn't take long for the bird to reappear again and began singing for the growing crowd here. A Garden Warbler was singing in the neighbouring Willows and eventually two birds popped out of hiding and so we had two ‘year-ticks’ in a matter of minutes. This ‘Gropper’ has been entertaining the birders all week and even two birds have been recorded here this week.
Above and below, a very healthy population of Sedge Warblers at Fishlake.
Above, the elusive Cetti's Warbler gave itself up by the Canal Path.
Garden Warblers, however, have been present all week also and today, there were probably double-figures of this species on this fantastic site today and some of the birds showed exceptionally well. It was a Warbler heaven with up to 7 species from this family seen today that included numerous Sedge, Reed, Cetti’s, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and of course the Garden Warblers.
Above, several Garden Warblers were seen this morning and many more heard and below, the guys walking ahead of me along the Canal Path.
Overhead, we had the Hirundines of which we got to see our first Swifts of the year; distantly at first high over the trees and then a lot closer along with Swallows, House and Sand Martins. Reed Buntings were seen flying over the reeds and along the main Canal footpath, flocks of Long-tailed Tits fumbled their way through the tight branches of the Willows. Within the reedbeds, the songs of both Sedge and Reed Warbler rang out and also the occasional squeal of Water Rails could be heard.
Above, at least two Red Kites were seen over the reserve and below, Yellow Flag plants were out in flower.
Above, the confiding Robin showed well again and below, a 'teneral' Large Red Damselfly that has recently emerged .
As we made our way to the Viewing Screen, the cloudy sky was breaking up with the sun eventually shining through, which brought out the first of FIVE Hobbies overhead. In fact, not only these amazing raptors took centre stage and entertained us for the rest of the trip here, but it also brought out a variety of raptors that included Common Buzzards, Red Kites, a male Kestrel and a female Sparrowhawk. Oddly, no Marsh Harrier sightings today; but what a display from the other raptors. I took many photos of the Hobbies and hopefully, choose the best ones to put on my blog.
Above, a pair of Shovelers on the pool in front of the Viewing Screen and below, a Common Tern also seen from the Screen.
Above, both Common Terns from the Viewing Screen and below, a Large Red Damselfly resting on the footpath.
Above, a Holly Blue butterfly showed well along the Canal Path and below, the Grasshopper Warbler showing well near the first bench along the Canal Path. Photo by Emma Parkes.
From the Viewing Screen, a pair of Common Terns were fishing over the water and also used the posts to rest. Both Greylag Geese and Gadwalls were showing off their youngsters here as we also had sightings of Great Crested Grebes, Mallard, Shoveler and just the one Great White Egret and a male Pochard in this one area. A Cuckoo was heard singing north of the Screen and Matt gave the shout that he had found the bird perched high up in one of the dead trees. Andy couldn't run fast enough to view the bird, our 5th new bird for the year of which it soon flew off heading west and then out of sight.
Above, a collage of Hobby photos taken today and below, this photo was taken by Emma Parkes.
But it wasn't just about the birds here, as we had some nice views of the Large Red Damselflies and a reasonable tally of butterfly species also. This included Peacock, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Orange-tip and Brimstones. Most certainly a great morning birding here. Earlier today, we heard a report of a Wood Sandpiper on Testwood Lakes and we simply couldn't resist taking the trip there. Good to see Graeme 'Toploader' here at Fishlake. He arrived early here at 6.30am and got most of the 'year-ticks' we saw much earlier than us and even a Hobby that was perched on one of the dead trees.
Testwood Lakes:
The view from the Hide overlooking the pool that was home to a multitude of waders and wildfowl.
It was a bit of a slog to get to the Hides overlooking the Meadow Lake where the Wood Sandpiper was residing, but it was a lovely walk to get there, taking in Common Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, a pair of Foxes and a wonderful display of Bluebells within the small woodland. On reaching the first Hide, the upstairs viewing area was full and so we made our way to the bottom viewing area and it only took a matter of a few minutes to notch up our 6th ‘year-tick’ of the day. Wood Sandpipers are a spring speciality and this particular bird was only found early this morning and it performed relatively well during our time in the Hide. It was joined by at least 4 Common Sandpipers and three Little Ringed Plovers (which were displaying too) along with Oystercatchers, a couple of Redshanks and good numbers of Lapwing along with several chicks on show too.
Above and below, the Wood Sandpiper on Testwood Lakes. There was a slight heat-haze while filming the bird. Always a cracking bird to see during the Spring.
Above and below, the Wood Sandpiper. Photos by Emma Parkes.
To the right of the Hide, there was the Sand Martin colony that was full of the birds darting in and out while others were collecting nesting material on the opposite side of the big lake in front of us. Andy managed to pick out a House Martin among the many Sand Martins, his 7th ‘year-tick’ of the day as we enjoyed the spectacle of all the birds before us. A pair of Egyptian Geese joined the other birds by the Lake as we eventually made our way over to the second Hide overlooking another large pool to the north. From here, there were up to 8 Common Terns on the Tern Rafts and all showed very well in the sunshine through the scope. A Great Crested Grebe was swimming close to the reeds and a pair of Tufted Ducks were also present. The last time I was in this Hide was several years ago and watching a Bittern sat in the reeds. How time flies.
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