The drake Ferruginous Duck (left) with a Gadwall on Posbrook Floods.
Andy and myself went off back into the New Forest this morning, while Geoff had volunteered to take part in the WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) at Farlington Marshes. The weather was always going to be an issue today and though it looked promising first thing as we made our way into the Forest, it clouded over and drizzle was occasionally coming down and this afternoon, the low cloud and most likely fog over the Solent made birding that little bit more challenging. However, both Andy and myself grabbed four more ‘year-ticks’ today
Cowplain Marsh, Andy’s House & Garden:
My second moth of the year, a fine Hebrew Character in the egg trays by Andy's Moth Box.
Though Geoff was off to Farlington Marshes today, he was present this morning for a good chat about the local wildlife here. Andy's pond held a lot of ‘croaking’ Frogs last night and so I had to take a look and saw at least two Frogs swimming under the Duck Weed and even more Frog Spawn than last Saturday.
More Frog Spawn in Andy's garden pond.
The Moth Box held just the one moth, my first Hebrew Character of the year, which encouraged me to get my Moth Box out of the attic. The only thing that puts me off is the consistent rain here on the south coast, but a fellow ‘Moth-enthusiast’ from Waterlooville had over a 100 moths in his box!!! Though he did say that he lives right by a woodland.
There has been no sight or sound of any Firecrests by Andy’s house this week, though a pair of Tawny Owls were calling from the trees nearby last night. This morning, a Siskin flew high over the garden and a pair of Goldfinches dropped in to check out the bird feeders.
Acres Down, New Forest:
This Treecreeper showed very well along the main footpath within the woods at Acres Down.
Sadly, we got down to the Acres Down car park too late for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning. The car park was rammed with cars, but we did find one spot that we could park. As soon as I stepped out of the car, my first Hawfinch of the year flew over. Andy missed the bird, but a second bird flying over was a bit more obliging and so he could claim his first of the year. Then seconds later, a third bird then flew over to kick the trip here very nicely indeed.
Above, one of many Stock Doves at Acres Down and below, a Redpoll landed in the same tree.
Earlier, as we made our way across the small Ford before entering the car park, I saw a Grey Wagtail fluttering about on a large rock within the Ford and so reversed the car so Andy could see the bird. After parking, we made our way to the infamous ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpecker tree’ and joined a couple of other birders present. While patiently waiting, a pair of Crossbills flew over and landed in a tree nearby before then flying off southbound. Stock Doves were seen and heard within the woodland and a gorgeous Treecreeper showed well climbing up a bough of a tree.
Above, looking south to the woodland at Acres Down. Such stunning views on a more sunnier day. Below, one of two Ravens 'croaking' overhead.
A large group of birders arrived (around 50 people) and joined us in waiting for the LSW and a chap leading the group told me that they had seen both the male and female bird ‘drumming’ on the usual tree around an hour before we had arrived. A Redpoll flew in and landed on the ‘LSW’ tree as did a Stock Dove (see photos) as all eyes were trained on that particular tree. Though there was no sight or sound of the ‘Lesser Spots’, we did hear both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and we also had sightings of both Siskins and Goldcrests. A few Firecrests were heard distantly singing, but none were seen today. After a couple of hours and with the thick cloud overhead, Andy suggested we take a walk through the woods and try our luck for both the LSW and Brambling. The path we took was very wet and soggy and I was so pleased that I had brought my Wellingtons along with me today. The walk through the woods proved fruitless as hardly any birds were actually seen and not only that, the route we took ended up back at the car park!
Above and below, a female Goshawk seen distantly over the woodland from the viewing area.
I then suggested we take a walk up the hill and over to the viewing area overlooking the woods to the south and west for possible Goshawk. The weather suggested otherwise, but we took the gamble anyway and it paid off with a pair of Ravens overhead and at least three Woodlarks. From the viewpoint overlooking the woods, it didn't take too long to find a distant female Goshawk soaring over the treetops, but it was distant. I reeled off a few record shot photos for the blog and was really pleased to pick out our second ‘year-tick’ of the day.
Above, a very showy singing Song Thrush by the footpath back to the car and below, the Treecreeper seen earlier when we first arrived.
As we were walking back to the car park, a Song Thrush showed very well perched just above my head and I could not resist taking a few photos of this gorgeous bird. A couple of Common Buzzards soared high over the woodland as we were leaving the hill area and then Andy told me that he had just received a text to say that the drake Ferruginous Duck was on Posbrook Floods this morning and still present. Though I was tempted to do another hour or so for the LSW, the chance of seeing such a rare duck was overwhelming and so we got back into the car and headed back east.
Posbrook Floods, Titchfield:
The drake Ferruginous Duck (centre) is surrounded by a drake Gadwall, female Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull and a drake Shoveler on Posbrook Floods.
It took around 40 minutes to get to Posbrook Floods and once in the car park (amazing we actually got a parking space!) We made our way south along the Canal Path. The visibility here now was worsening as drizzly rain had set in and it was getting very misty in the distance. Nevertheless, we made our way to the viewing area where we then came across a big posse of ‘Lazee Birders’.
A big bunch of 'Lazee Birders here at Posbrook Floods this afternoon!'
I admit, I struggled to find the Ferruginous Duck at first, but thankfully, the guys managed to get me onto the bird which was associating with a pair of Tufted Duck. Through the scope, the bird showed very well and I even managed to grab a bit of film footage of this rare Aythya duck as it swam, dived and preened itself on the water with the likes of Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall and Coots in attendance. It was third time lucky for us as we have tried twice before in trying to find this bird and at last, it was showing superbly for us.
Above, one of many Long-tailed Tits seen along the Canal Path and below, it was looking bleak this afternoon here, but the birds were amazing.
While watching the Ferruginous Duck, an odd Gull swam on the water with Black-headed Gulls, but I had dismissed it as an odd Black-headed Gull going through moult. How wrong I was. More later. Andy Friend was among the ‘Lazee’s’ and he told us that a Ruddy Shelduck was with two Egyptian Geese further south down the Canal Path yesterday, in one of the fields to the west and so we eventually joined them in searching for the bird, but on reaching the guys, there was no sign of the Geese. There were a few Canada Geese present and also a Curlew in the same field, but no Ruddy Shelduck. So we walked back, but not before we took a coffee break on one of the ‘Comfy’ benches along the Canal Path.
Above, two of the five Glossy Ibis on the Bridge Street Floods and below, the adult Little Gull (centre) flanked by a Coot and a Black-headed Gull on Posbrook Floods.
From here, we saw a male Marsh Harrier drifting slowly over the fields and a small flock of three Fieldfares flew overhead. Nearby, a pair of Goldcrests and several Long-tailed Tits were flitting about in the Willow Trees and then I caught sight of a Chiffchaff high in one of the Willows. Andy had still not seen a Chiffchaff this year and so I quickly got him onto the bird, but he got the most briefest of views. He did get a better view about five minutes later and then he got a text to say that a Little Gull was now on Posbrook Floods!
Above, one of the feeding Glossy Ibis. The weather was really closing in now.
When we reached the large number of ‘Lazee Birders’ present, Andy Friend kindly put me onto the Little Gull through his telescope for my 4th ‘year-tick’ of the day. The Little Gull was an adult bird and it was the same bird I had seen earlier when I was watching the ‘Fudge’ Duck and was more than happy to just sit on the water watching the world go by. What an incredible day and although we didn’t see the ‘Lesser Spot’, I think we were more than happy with our sightings today.
The drake Ferruginous Duck on Posbrook Floods this afternoon.
It didn't quite end there either as another Chiffchaff gave us better views than the first bird seen and Andy picked out a Glossy Ibis on the Bridge Street Floods and this was joined by a total of 5 birds in all feeding on the edge of the Floods. A Green Woodpecker was heard calling in the distance and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the Canal Path to round off a superb day's birding.
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