A good day at Hayling Island & Warblington.

Saturday 1st February 2025.

This gorgeous Sandwich Tern was off the Oysterbeds and more were seen in Chichester Harbour.

Another good days birding with Geoff and Andy which took us around Hayling Island and we finished the day around the fields and Cemeteries at Warblington. Though there was hardly any wind (except by the seafront), it remained a very overcast day with thick clouds making the light not that great for photography, especially for distant birds. On a positive note, I notched up another 8 new species for the year, while Andy grabbed 9 species today. 

Sandy & Black Point, Eastoke, Hayling Island:

A dull grey start to the day made photographing the distant birds very difficult, hence no photos from this area bar this one of the harbour entrance at Sandy Point. 

We had a good trip here at these sites, which kicked off with a good look at the harbour entrance. From the Lifeboat Station, a female Common Scoter was sitting on the calm water within the entrance and at least two Great Northern Divers were present there. Looking further into Chichester Harbour, I found my first Sandwich Tern of the year flying low over the harbour heading west. Through the scope, I picked up several Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes and even found a pair of Slavonian Grebes that eventually made their way to the harbour entrance and were joined by one of the Great Northern Divers and the female Common Scoter. Yesterday, 8 Slav Grebes were found late in the day here at this site.

High tide was around 1.30pm today, hence why I decided to go here first and view the birds on a rising tide. The sand bar just north of East Head held a drake Eider resting out of the water and was later seen flying low over the harbour and heading south. We made our way down past the Sailing Club to view the waders from Black Point where, among many Oystercatchers and lesser numbers of Curlew, I found a couple of Knot feeding together to add to both Andy and my year list. Not a great deal else to be seen here, so we made our way to Sandy Point again and viewed the Gorse bushes for a possible Dartford Warbler. Both Pete Gammage and Keith Turner were here and as we joined them for a chat, Pete picked out not only a drake Common Scoter heading east low over the sea, but a large flock of FIFTEEN Red-throated Divers heading distantly westbound high over the Solent. Another new bird species for our growing year list. Sadly, no sign of anything lurking in the Gorse bushes but there was a pair of Teal on the pool in the distance.

Hayling Oysterbeds, Hayling Island:s

This Sandwich Tern flew close past us when we reached the Oysterbeds.

Our next stop was to be the Oysterbeds and as the tide was nearly at its peak, the waders were pouring in to roost on the exposed islands by the Beds. From the Car Park, we enjoyed a hot tasty snack from the nearby Greggs and I picked out Andy’s first Med Gull of the year nearby resting on the water. Also from the Car Park, two Goldeneye swam close to one another: a drake and what looked like an immature drake. Three Black-necked Grebes were easily picked up within the harbour, well south of the Oysterbeds on a flat calm water along with good numbers of Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes.

Above, this adult Med Gull was joined by a second bird and below, a showy flock of Turnstone close to the footpath.

Above, at least a dozen Turnstone were just below where we stood on the spit and below, our first Rock Pipit of the year finally gave itself up.

When we reached the end of the spit overlooking the harbour, more new birds for the year started to appear. At last, our first Rock Pipit flew towards us and landed below us on the rocky shoreline and showed well. Andy managed to pick out a Greenshank over on the far side of the Oysterbeds, another new species for the year and on the main pool, two more Med Gulls swam with at least three Mergansers. I gave a good scan over the islands looking for a Peregrine, but it was on my third sweep that I found a female bird sitting on South Binness Island to add to my year list. The waders passing by kept us busy most of the time and looking skywards, three Ravens were flying together and circled round and round for a while till flying off east. As we passed the big main pool, a gathering of 5 Little Grebes were present with the Mergansers to round off a good trip to this part of the Oysterbeds.

Above, three photos of the Ravens over our heads at the Oysterbeds. Note that one of the birds was upside down! Below, a drake Merganser caught a fish.

Above, a mass of waders jostling for a space on one of the islands and below, five Med Gulls together on the island near the Car Park. One of the birds was in full summer plumage.

We made our way eventually around to the Hayling Billy Line where we found out that the area south along the Bill Line was blocked and so we had to turn back and walk back the way we had come. A bloody headache indeed! Before that, I checked the islands the waders were resting on and found two Whimbrels together sleeping quietly on the rising tide. These were also my first of the year and totally unexpected too, though I did hear a rumour that at least one bird had been wintering here. Despite a damn good search through the scope, I could not locate any Bar-tailed Godwits, though some other birder said they had seen two here around 1pm! Fume! A Kingfisher here performed superbly by hovering over the water in search of small fish. This it had done several times until flying off south as we pointed it out to some interested passers by.

The two sleeping Whimbrel in the northern end of the Oysterbeds.

Warblington, Hampshire:

Up to 7 Cattle Egrets were seen with Cattle south of Pook Lane.

My last stop today was for the Cattle Egrets in the Cow fields around Warblington. We reached Pook Lane and quickly had a good look for the Barn Owl in one of the nearby trees. Sadly, it was nowhere to be seen. Last year, the bird was getting disturbed by not only ‘toggers’, but other interference from non-birders too and there have been no further reports of the Owls since, I believe.

A Cattle Egret (left) and a Little Egret by the Cattle and below, the Green Woodpecker in the south Cemetery. 

Looking south into one of the Cow fields, it was ‘Bingo’ as we found a total of 7 Cattle Egrets stood motionless by a herd of Cattle. There was a huge number of birds present here including up to 100+ Stock Doves, 40+ Wood Pigeons and at least 50+ Jackdaws as well as a large flock of Starlings all in this one field! The Cattle Egrets were my first of the year and my 8th new bird today. Two Little Egrets were also among the other Egrets too and a male Kestrel was close by to add to an impressive number of birds. Wait for it, wait for it………..Andy got his first Rook’s of the year flying over, lol!!!

Above, the Greenshank on the Oysterbeds. A second bird was on the big pool by the Hayling Billy Line. Below, some of the Mergansers and Med Gull on the Oysterbeds.

Not done with Warblington, we parked up by the Church and tried our luck for Green Woodpecker within the nearby Cemetery, just south of the Church. I have previously been lucky with Green Woodpecker sightings here in the past and sure enough, we found one over on the west side of the Cemetery. That put a big smile on Andy’s face. Not an awful lot else seen here as we made our way then to the new Cemetery, east of the Church. We came across a large flock of Collared Doves that Geoff counted up to 35+ birds, all taking advantage of the exposed hay bales by the farm along with several Chaffinches and Goldfinches. At least five Little Egrets were with the Cattle north of the new Cemetery and a male Kestrel flew low over and headed off south to round off a very good day’s birding again. 

 

A showy Fox in Eastney.

Friday 31st January 2025.

Three Pied Wagtails walked up to me on Pembroke Road this morning!

Well, that's the first month of the year gone already and it hasn't been too bad a month for the birds with 125 species recorded for January. The weather has played a major part this month, with plenty of rain, but a few nice days to get out and about, especially on the Saturdays with both Geoff and Andy.

This Fox, a vixen I believe, was on the main road in Henderson Park, Eastney. I took these photos using my phone through the car windscreen.

Today kicked off wet again although it virtually stopped when I started my first shift in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth, where there were just 12 species seen this morning. Around lunchtime, I was driving through Henderson Park, Eastney; where a Fox was seen having a scratch on the main road and then trotted off through the Caravan Park.

A quiet day in Hampshire with a Red-necked Grebe seen off Hill Head and a Ruff seen on Titchfield Haven.

Two more species added to year list.

Thursday 30th January 2025.

A much better start to the day with bright sunshine, a clear blue sky though still remaining quite cold at around 6 degrees and a north-westerly breeze. Not only did I resume back at Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth this morning, but afterwards, I treated myself to a walk by Southsea Castle in the hope of seeing the same birds as Ollie Crabbe saw yesterday morning at this location. I did take the dogs for their early morning walk again first thing and apart from the noisy Herring Gulls overhead, it was nice to hear a Blackbird singing at first light.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I suppose the rarest bird here I saw this morning was the Collared Dove! I rarely see them at this site as I watched the bird land in a tree opposite me and even began calling; so I can assume it is a male bird. Still, a good spot and eventually the bird flew off northbound over the houses. The Jay flew in briefly (the first sighting of one this week here) and showed very well in the tree opposite me, hopped around in the branches for a while, then also flew off northbound. A couple of flocks of Brent Geese, including one containing 16 birds, flew over Governor’s Green, but never settled and all carried on eastbound. Up to a total of 13 species were counted this morning and if the weather stays good this afternoon, that number could increase.

Four Brent Geese were in front of the Garrison church till they were flushed by a dog.

The weather remained sunny and bright in the afternoon while I was on my second shift in Pembroke Road. The only new bird species seen during my hour there was a distant Great Black-backed Gull that was flying behind the Garrison Church. There were four Brent Geese grazing on Governor's Green during my time there up until someone decided to let their dog loose on the Green and the Geese flew off! The biggest surprise this afternoon was when I found a Red Admiral butterfly fluttering by the houses, but I was too busy to take a photo of the butterfly and on returning on where I saw it, there was no sign. Bugger!

Southsea Castle and the Solent:

The rocks on the foreshore where one might encounter the Purple Sandpipers, preferably the rocks with the green algae upon them.

Above, the three Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle this morning.

I was really hoping that yesterday's Red-necked Grebe was still around off Southsea Castle, especially that there was a flat calm sea for it to sit on; but despite a good search over the Solent, the best I could find was the adult Shag fishing way offshore. It took some searching, but I eventually found three Purple Sandpipers resting together on the rocks below the promenade. Counts of up to 14 birds have been recorded over the winter here, so where on earth do they go to? Apart from a few Black-headed Gulls on the rocks, all was very quiet here. Another bird that seemed to be missing here now that all the repairs have been done here, is the Rock Pipit. I have not seen one here this winter and none, I believe, have been reported by other birders.

The adult Shag was some distance away from the Sandpipers.

Eastney Harbour entrance:

Black-headed Gulls resting on one of the boats at Eastney.

As the day was looking good, I thought I would try my luck by the Harbour entrance and so parking up on the small spit opposite the Hayling Ferry Terminal, I took a walk to the end of the spit and searched the area for anything of note. Among the many Black-headed Gulls loafing on the water and some on the boats, I found my first Mediterranean Gull of the year flying north over the harbour. A good start. A pair of distant Mergansers were over near Milton Lakes, but little else of note bar a pair of Curlews heading north low over the water and four Oystercatchers passing over my head.

Above, a heavily cropped photo of my first Mediterranean Gull for the year. Below, I couldn't resist taking a photo of this resting Herring Gull on a post near the Hayling Ferry Terminal.

Above, three noisy Oystercatchers passed over my head.

I searched around the House boats on the foreshore for a possible Rock Pipit, but none were to be seen or heard. However, when I reached the road, something caught my eye and sure enough, my first Black-throated Diver was seen heading south out of the harbour. I only had a few seconds to take some photos of the bird as it headed out into the Solent. There has been one reported around both Langstone and Chichester Harbours and most likely, the same bird. Still, picking up two new species for the year was totally unexpected.

I managed a couple of record photos of the Black-throated Diver flying out of the harbour entrance.

Another scan over the harbour toward Hayling Island produced just the one Great Crested Grebe and another Merganser; but apart from a small flock of Brent Geese heading low over the harbour, all was fairly quiet as I made my way back to the car and headed home to warm up! 

Later this afternoon, birding pal Andy Fisher took himself to Farlington Marshes today and notched up at least four more species for his year list. A Ruff was discovered early this morning there and with the likes of Spoonbill, Dartford Warbler and Bearded Tit, he most certainly had a good trip there.

Chiffchaff calling in the afternoon rain.

Wednesday 29th January 2025.

I love the first rays of light coming over Highland Road Cemetery when I am walking the dogs past there and also especially the first bird calls of the day.

It was cool and clear as I took my dogs for their early morning walk this morning, with hardly any wind at all; but even with the first bit of daylight showing over Highland Road Cemetery to the east, the first birds were calling in the darkness that included a scolding Wren, a ‘seeping’ Blackbird and ‘mewing’ Herring Gulls soaring overhead. This mornings clear, dry weather gave way to rain in the afternoon and remained so into the evening.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

There were up to 14 species of birds recorded this morning, however, though a couple of small flocks of Brent Geese were seen flying over Governor’s Green, none actually settled on the grass therefore just the Herring and Black-headed Gulls plus a small number of Wood Pigeon were noted here. Again, all the usual birds were present, but a calling Chiffchaff was a bonus as it was heard somewhere deep within the Holm Oaks adjacent to Pembroke Road. Up to 5 Pied Wagtails were on the short grass of the Bowling Green, whereas up to 8 birds were present on the Green yesterday.

Above, a Purple Sandpiper at Southsea Castle and below, a superb Red-necked Grebe floated past on the sea. Photos by Ollie Crabbe.

Above, the regular adult Shag was also off Southsea Castle. Photo by Ollie Crabbe.

In Hampshire today, up to three Red-necked Grebes were seen in our waters here on the south coast: one at Hill Head, one at Weston Shore still and finally, fellow ‘Lazee’ Ollie Crabbe found one drifting close in on the sea at Southsea Castle while looking for the Purple Sandpipers! Two Purple Sandpipers were there along with an adult Shag. Four Velvet Scoters were still off Brownwich Cliffs along with 13 Common Scoters. 

Acres Down and the New Forest.

Saturday 25th January 2025.

The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Acres Down this morning.

Another busy days birding with Geoff and Andy and today, we paid a good visit to the New Forest and make our way to Acres Down for our annual pilgrimage to see the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. One of the ‘Lazee Birders’ saw and filmed one of the birds earlier this week and despite the recent Storm Eowyn blowing itself out here on the south coast, this morning produced a clear blue sky, sunshine but a very cold icy start. We took in various sites today that included Acres Down, Bolderwood (briefly) Fritham and Eyeworth Pond and finished off at a well-known Hen-Harrier site which shall remain nameless. Sadly, some ‘toggers’ have been disturbing the roosting site of these rare raptors and so I will not name the actual site on my blog. I managed to see 10 new species for my year list today, of which there were a few unexpected species.

Acres Down, nr Lyndhurst, New Forest:

My first moth of 2025, the micro moth Acleris notana/ferrguana.

My day kicked off with my first moth of the year. Andy had his moth trap out last night and it caught just the one moth, the micro moth Acleris notana / ferrugana. Sadly, one has to dissect the moth's genitalia to get a true ID on this species of which I will not do. Still, a good moth to start the year. After a refreshing coffee, we then set off westbound to join a small group of birders by the usual ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpecker’ tree.

Above, a singing Coal Tit showed well near Acres Down car park. Below, some of the woodland that holds a large variety of birds here.

On our way there, from the car park, we encountered our first Mistle Thrush of the year (for myself and Andy) to kick off our first ‘year-ticks’ of the day. A showy Coal Tit was singing high up in a conifer as we walked along the footpath to the main tree and though we didn't join the dozen or so birders already there, we got a good vantage point and waited for the next hour or so for the bird to put in an appearance. During that hour, our first Crossbills of the year flew in briefly with a small flock of 5 birds and a little while later, 9 more birds flew in though they quickly departed. Stock Doves were seen flying over and some were calling deep within the woodland. A small flock of three Siskins flew overhead, but poor Andy ‘dipped’ on them as the birds sped over the woodland and out of view.

Above, a female Crossbill perched high up in one of the trees and below, a singing Song Thrush echoed throughout the woodland.

After around an hour or so and a few cups of coffee from my flask, the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew in, but was on the opposite side of the bough of the tree. We quickly rushed over to join the other birders and got much better views of the bird, but it remained all of around five minutes, ‘drummed briefly’ then flew off into the woodland and out of view. Happy with our annual sighting of this gorgeous little bird, we made our way to the viewing area overlooking the woodland from the heath.

Above, there were plenty of Stock Doves seen within the woodland this morning and below, another photo of the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

A very brief film footage of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Though I didn't take my scope, there was always a chance of a Goshawk over the woodland and some birders gave the shout that one was soaring over the nearby woods. It didn't take long to find the bird, a female soaring high over the trees, though some distance away. Sadly, a bit too distant to get a decent photo, but I managed a record shot of the bird. It got better when our first Hawfinch of the year flew north over the heath and then dropped into the woodland. This was quickly followed by a singing Woodlark of which we eventually got to see singing over the heath. A few Fallow Deer were seen running down by the edge of the woodland and a Raven, another ‘year-tick’ for Andy, flew over the heath and headed off north, ‘cronking’ in doing so. On the way back to the car, a flock of 7 Redwing flew across our path of which Andy grabbed another ‘year-tick’ to his already increasing year list. Another single bird quickly followed the seven birds as we walked back down the hill to the car park.

Above and below, Geoff and Andy admiring the amazing views at Acres Down.

Above, Andy's first Nuthatch of the year and below, the soaring female Goshawk over the woodland.

Above, several Fallow Deer were seen from the viewpoint.

Bolderwood, New Forest:

Though we had already seen a Hawfinch briefly at Acres Down, I fancied my chances in getting better views by the large Bolderwood car park. However, there were none to be seen despite a lengthy search around the Holly trees. Andy managed to pick up his first Treecreeper of the year while down in the field near the Cottage, we had good views of several Redwings and a pair of Reed Buntings. Marsh Tit was on the agenda, but as we walked further down into the woodland, we came to realise there were simply too many people around and a lot of dogs too. So we gave up on being here and made our way to Eyeworth Pond instead.

Fritham & Eyeworth Pond:

The male and female Goosander on Eyeworth Pond.

As we made our way to Fritham, just before turning off to Eyeworth Pond; Andy’s sharp eyesight picked out a few Fieldfare among a flock of feeding Redwing on the short grass. I quickly pulled over and looked through Andy’s binoculars to view the thrushes as both Andy and myself added Fieldfare to our year list. I did get out of the car to try to take some photos of the birds but they all flew into a nearby tree and remained there.

Above, the pair of Goosanders on Eyeworth Pond and below, my first Marsh Tit of the year in the same area. 

As we pulled into a packed car park by Eyeworth Pond, we quickly found a pair of Goosanders swimming quietly on the Pond; our first of the year. What a good start to our trip here and totally unexpected. Eyeworth Pond is famous for the Mandarins here, but, according to an old Birder nearby, who was taking photos some ten feet away from a line of Titmice, there had been no sightings of any Mandarins here for some time. There were plenty of passerines here that included a few Nuthatches; Blue, Great, Coal and our first Marsh Tits of the year………..at last! Many a ‘togger’ can get some good photos of the birds here as long as they put plenty of seed down!

Above, there were plenty of passerines making the most of the free seed put out by the photographers at Eyeworth Pond including Dunnocks and below, Blue Tits.

Above, a Nuthatch showed well and below, Chaffinches got in on the act too.

Another Nuthatch joined in.

Our final destination was for the Hen-harriers and Merlins out on the heath and though I will not mention exactly where, we spent the next couple of hours freezing our nuts off overlooking a vast expanse of heathland in front of us. We were joined by a fellow ‘Lazee Birder’ Tim Doran, who Geoff chatted with and then a large number of ‘Lady Birders’ (they have their own Whatsapp group) were seen and was headed by Keith Betton who also came over to us for a chat. During our long wait, a flock of 5 Mistle Thrushes were resting in the bare branches of a bush in the distance. A Raven flew off north over the heath and a splendid Red Kite drifted over and then headed off west over the heath only to land in a small bush way in the distance. Some Linnets flew over and a probable Reed Bunting was seen on a bush down in the valley below. 

The Red Kite was a nice surprise flying over the heath.

When we arrived here, a ‘togger’ (photographer) stopped for a chat and he showed us the photos he took of a superb male Hen-Harrier he had watched earlier in the morning. The chap said he had his own farm near Fordingbridge and regularly took photos of all nature. Judging by the huge length of his lens on his camera, he was seriously dedicated to photography. We made our way to a good spot overlooking the heath and heard a Dartford Warbler ‘churring’ someone amongst the Gorse bushes; but there was no sighting of the bird. Bugger! After nearly two hours here, the shout went up from Keith Betten that a male Hen-Harrier was showing. Both Geoff and I managed to see the bird slowly flap low against the heath and then along the top of the hill in the distance until it flew over the hill and out of view. Poor Andy failed to see the bird and as it was now 4pm, I had to blow the final whistle on today's birding. Yes, we were very lucky with the weather and the birds really performed for us today.