The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker finally was added to our year list and the bird performed admirably for its admirers below.
The day promised much as I knew it was going to be a cold, yet dry and bright day in the New Forest today. There was a frost early this morning in Cowplain and even Southsea started off very cold though remained frost free. Both myself and Andy Fisher had our Moth Boxes on overnight, but my hopes were slim if we had any Moths to actually look at. We were back in the New Forest again today, trying our luck again for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down and afterwards, a trip to Blashford Lakes again. We rounded an excellent day off in search of Dartford Warblers at Blackgutter Bottom.
The Moth Boxes:
My first White-shouldered House Moth of the year.
There was only one moth present within my Moth Box, but at least it was a new moth for the year; the micro moth White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella). Meanwhile, over by Andy’s trap, the only moth present among all the egg trays scattered around the Box, was a Hebrew Character. At least it wasn’t a total waste of time as we got ready for the long drive to Acres Down.
The only Moth by Andy's Moth Box was this Hebrew Character.
Acres Down, New Forest:
A couple more photos of the 'Lesser Pecker'.
The journey along the M27 produced at least three Red Kites flying over the road, which is now a familiar site over this stretch of motorway as we neared the A31 through the Forest. I could see that it was going to be the start of a good raptor day. The car park at Acres Down was half full on arrival as we enjoyed the sound of both Blackbirds and Song Thrushes singing all around us. While the guys were putting on the boots, a small flock of three Siskins and a Redpoll were seen high in a Silver Birch nearby, but all flew off before the guys to see them.
Several Meadow Pipits were seen by the raptor viewing area including several that were displaying.
The walk to the usual ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpecker’ tree produced my first actual sightings of Firecrest this year. A pair were showing particularly well by the footpath high up searching the branches for food and calling repeatedly. However, I was having trouble with my camera and could not focus properly, but I managed to sort it out a little later. We joined around 6 more birders ready and waiting for the ‘Lesser Peckers’ to show and after around an hour or so, a male bird flew in.
There were plenty of Ravens around the heath and over the woodland.
Matt and Emma Parkes had been here earlier this morning and successfully saw the bird before leaving for another site. While we waited, a few Ravens flew over and other birds seen included Siskins, Song Thrush and Coal Tits, while birds heard included Hawfinch and Marsh Tit. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker did not disappoint as it flew up to its favourite area of the tall tree and immediately began ‘drumming’. As I said to the guys, as I filmed the bird ‘drumming’, it was impossible to actually see the bill tap the wood itself as the speed of the 'drumming' itself it was amazing. It remained there for around a minute or so and then flew off over our heads and landed high up in another tree. We then made our exit and headed off to the raptor viewpoint for the Goshawks.
This female Goshawk was the closest one to us.
Again, we were not to be disappointed as we must have seen at least five or six Goshawks distantly soaring over the woodland below. There was quite a gathering of birders present here, all mad keen on seeing these raptors perform, but all the birds, save one, were mostly distant. Some were actually displaying their slow wing claps, which was impressive. Several Common Buzzards were on the wing here too. Interestingly, I remember when we were a lot younger that Common Buzzards were a major highlight on our birdwatching trips to the New Forest and Goshawks were unheard of in the early 1980's. How times have changed.
Above, another Raven passing by at Acres Down and below, Andy checking the sky for raptors!
Other birds seen were at least 5 Ravens, displaying Meadow Pipits, a pair of Stonechats around the Gorse areas and singing Mistle Thrushes of which I saw one flying into the woodland to the south. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen flying into the woodland, but that was the only one I saw today. We did bump into a couple of elderly birders from Guernsey, who were here for the day before sailing back home tomorrow. They had just been to India recently for a two week birding trip and had an amazing time. I have never been to India, though Geoff had many years ago and the conversation was very interesting.
The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down.
Blashford Lakes:
The immature White-tailed Eagle with a Common Buzzard sailing high over the car park by the Tern Hide.
Our target birds here at this site were the Water Pipit and the female Red-crested Pochard to add to our year list and possibly a Sand Martin (all three species had been seen here earlier this week), but we had to settle for just one; the Red-crested Pochard. Having popped to the Garage on the way to the site to pick up some lunch, Geoff pointed out a couple of Brimstone butterflies by the edge of the road; my first of the year. We took our lunch into the Tern Hide and began searching the still huge number of wildfowl upon Ibsley Water.
Above, it was always distant, but the female Red-crested Pochard was seen well (centre of photo) from the Tern Hide. Below, one of several Meadow Pipits seen, but no sign of the Water Pipit today.
The usual wintering duck were present in large numbers again with Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal being the most dominant species along with large numbers of both Tufted Duck and Pochard among them. I found at least five Goldeneye still present that included three drakes and a female Goosander took off and flew off westbound over Ibsley Water. While checking out the northern end of the lake, I soon found the female Red-crested Pochard preening herself and then quickly got Andy onto the bird through the scope. He was very happy. In fact, another birder within the Hide asked me if he could look through my scope at the bird and I duly obliged. Other birds here included three species of Geese: Canada, Grey Lag and a pair of Egyptian Geese. Great Crested Grebe numbers were down and probably off to breeding sites, but there were at least 6 or so present.
The White-tailed Eagle that graced Blashford Lakes today with a Common Buzzard joining the bird.
To the right of the Hide, I kept an eye on any Meadow Pipits searching the chalky ground, but though there were at least five Pipits present, I could not find any Water Pipits. From then on, Raptors became most evident. In the distance, Common Buzzards and a few Red Kites were soaring high overhead and a gorgeous male Marsh Harrier flew over Ibsley Water, scattering all the ducks below. A female Marsh Harrier was seen a little later and a male Kestrel was seen flying over heading east. Then the big one! Andy had gone out for a cigarette and then came back saying that a White-tailed Eagle was seen flying over the Hide.
Above and below, Non-biting Midges were in swarms around the Car Park.
Above, my first Lesser Celandine flowers of the year and below, Geoff ID'd this plant as Ground Ivy. Both were flowering in the Car Park.
We rushed out and sure enough, an immature bird was circling high up over the reserve and showed very well for us. The bird actually got a bit closer and a Common Buzzard joined the Eagle as the bird majestically continued to circle above us on those huge wings. This was Andy’s and my second sighting this year of this raptor, having seen one flying high over Langstone Harbour on New Years Day. Some birders say that you cannot add this to your year total as it is highly likely it is one of the Isle of Wight re-introduction scheme birds; but I do not care about that. As far as I am concerned, a lot of those original birds have bred and produced young and so this being an immature bird, why not add it to our year lists?
Above, a variety of wildfowl were present on Ibsley Water including in this photo, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal and also Lapwings were around. Up to a dozen Lapwings were around Ibsley Water. Below, a male Kestrel hovering close to the Viewing Platform.
Above, a drake Pochard looking stunning in the sunshine and below, a male Marsh Harrier soaring over Ibsley Water.
Above, the male Marsh Harrier flew right over our heads by the Viewing Platform.
It was getting quite cold in the Tern Hide with the windows open and so we made our way to the Viewing Platform overlooking the car park and Ibsley Water. From here, more raptors were seen including Common Buzzards, Kestrels and Marsh Harriers and nearby, a couple of Chiffchaffs were in full song to round off a most memorable trip here. It will not be too long before the Garden Warblers will be singing here at this location. Bring it on!
Blackgutter Bottom, New Forest:
Fallow Deer out on the heath.
To round off our day's birding, I asked Andy about having another try for the Dartford Warblers at Blackgutter Bottom and he happily agreed. The weather was still perfect, but despite a lengthy search for the birds, we drew a blank again. At least three pairs of Stonechats were seen during our time here and at least 4 Common Buzzards were noted including one bird perched in a dead tree some distance away. A few Meadow Pipits were present and out on the heath, we saw at least 10 Fallow Deer quietly going about their business. A cracking day again with the guys and hopefully more to come this year.
Above, Stonechats at Blackgutter Bottom and below, a distant Common Buzzard on the heath.
In Hampshire today:
Possibly THREE Great Grey Shrikes were in the New Forest today, which is quite staggering really as it has been a very lean year for this species in the UK. Surprisingly, there were few reports of migrants around Hampshire though a flock of Sand Martins over Fishlake Meadows and a male Wheatear on Beaulieu Heath. A Grey Partridge was an unusual find on Hayling Golf Course and a White Stork was seen flying over the River Avon, near Lymington.
Before dusk, Andy Fisher took a trip to the small village of Coombe, near Old Winchester Hill and finally got to see his first Little Owls of the year. Well done mate.
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