Five more species added to year list.

Friday 14th January 2022.

Black-necked Grebes in Langstone Harbour off Hayling Oyster Beds this morning.

A beautiful day on my ‘day-off’ and what made it even better was that I was ‘birding’ most of the day. I had in mind where I was going to go today and on a frosty start to the day, after checking the tide times in Langstone Harbour, I made my way to the Hayling Oyster Beds. Both Black-necked Grebes and the Long-tailed Duck were on my radar after parking in the ‘Pothole’ car park (now named after the terrible pot holes and trenches in this god-forsaken car park!), I grabbed my scope and checked out the harbour looking west. The sea state was dead calm and so picking up anything swimming in the harbour was going to be easy.

A Redshank by the Oyster Beds.

Brent Geese flying past the Oyster Beds.

There were large groups of both Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes on the water and waders were packed on the nearby spit that included mostly Oystercatchers and a few Curlew. These were later to be joined by a large flock of Grey Plover along with a few Golden Plover among them (my first of the year). Good numbers of Brent Geese also swam on the high tide and along the shoreline, there was a single Rock Pipit feeding amongst the seaweed. Scanning the harbour, I soon came across the tight flock of 6 Black-necked Grebes that rarely left each other's side (yet another new species for my year list). But where was the Long-tailed Duck?  

Red-breasted Mergansers on one of the Beds. 

Grey Plover about to land on the Oyster Beds.

On reaching the Beds, there was a bit of activity there including at least four Mergansers and a lone Little Grebe on the water. Good numbers of waders were roosting on the rocks, including my first Greenshank of the year, which was joined by Oystercatchers, Redshank and Turnstone. On reaching the western end of the Beds, I set up my scope overlooking the islands and harbour to the west and spent the next 30 minutes checking every bird on the water. The Black-necked Grebes swam much further south from where I first saw them and good numbers of Goldeneye, including many drakes, were noted. Though I scanned the harbour several times, there was no sign of the Long-tailed Duck and so resigned to the fact it has either gone or lurked somewhere else in the harbour. One of the Harbour Seals was also seen a few times while checking the harbour.

The lone Greenshank was my first of the year.

Grey Plovers. 

After a hearty breakfast in Greggs, I decided to try my luck down Sandy Point and on arrival, the tide was now well up. All was fairly quiet from the footpath leading to the beach and making my way to the Lifeboat Station, I scanned the harbour from here. I picked up a  lone Razorbill almost immediately just offshore and a further 4 more Razorbills and two Guillemots were seen within Chichester Harbour. Despite several sweeps through the scope, there were no Slavonian Grebes or DIvers on show this morning. I then took a walk to the roadside to view the harbour to the north and came across at least 3 fishing Sandwich Terns. A flock of 10 Mergansers were picked up in one flock and a further four more were seen a little later. I really didn't fancy walking all the way down to Black Point and thankfully, a fellow birder came up to me and said all was quiet down there, bar at least 20+ Sandwich Terns!

Very frosty along the footpath leading to the harbour entrance at Sandy Point.

A Razorbill in the harbour entrance.

On the walk back, making my way down the footpath to where I parked my car, I was hoping for a possible Firecrest to add to my year total, but instead, a noisy Green Woodpecker flew in and over my head! Again, my first of the year! A small flock of Long-tailed Tits showed well, with one individual showing down to about 6 feet! Not a great deal else along here, but what if a Red-flanked Bluetail could be lurking about in the scrub? Maybe Andy Johnson might come up with one again?

The harbour looking north with Hayling Sailing Club in the background.

One of the Long-tailed Tits along the footpath.

What turned out to be my last stop of the day was down in Lee-on-Solent of all places! I did have the Velvet Scoters off Hill Head and the Barn Owl near Posbrook Floods on my agenda, but while driving down to Gosport, the male Black Redstart off Archers Road, Lee-on-Solent proved irresistible. I only saw just the one bird last year and that was in January too and to see a male bird would be the icing on the cake. So, parking near the Gosport Airport terminal car park, I made my way around the most likely areas for where the BR might hang out.

The male Black Redstart in Archers Road.

I spent the next 30 minutes wandering around all the old factories and scrubby areas where the bird might haunt, but drew a blank. Then I met up with another birder who turned out to be one of the ‘Lazee Birders’ - Graeme Loader. We spent the next 30 minutes checking the area and chatted seemingly non stop about our own birding exploits, but still drew a blank until we went our separate ways. I decided to get back into the car and head off to Hill Head for the Velvet Scoters as I felt the BR had gone. However, my phone began ringing when I was nearing HIll Head and it was Graeme informing me the Black Redstart had returned. So, back I went to Archers Road.

And again!

Rejoining both Graeme and another birder (sorry, didn’t grab his name), we waited patiently for the bird to pop out on where it was seen last and sure enough, the gorgeous male bird popped up briefly to give me my fifth new species for the year. Huzzah! And what a stunner it was too. In the bright sunshine (and it was amazing how warm that sun was on our backs!), the bird showed superbly well over the next 40 minutes or so and I managed to reel off some reasonable photos of this exquisite bird. Well happy with this superb sighting, I thanked Graeme and headed off home after booking a table at the Chairmakers Pub for tonight with my wife.

Just a few more photos, honestly!

In Hampshire today, a Glossy Ibis spent the afternoon at Farlington Marshes and a Bittern was seen in flight passing the Suffern Hide at Titchfield Haven. Another birding morning with Andy tomorrow and possibly, Farlington Marshes could be first on the agenda?

Midweek update.

Wednesday 12th January 2022.

Great Northern Diver off Black Point. Photo by Andy Tew. 

The first part of the week has endured mild temperatures but murky conditions, with Tuesday being a very misty, murky affair. Being at work, my birding opportunities normally lie when I am driving along or at a Crematorium or Cemetery due to my job and therefore, I am always on the lookout for anything interesting of note.

Above, the two Black-throated Divers in Chichester Harbour and below, a trio of Razorbills in the same harbour. Photos by Andy Tew.

On Monday, I was working over Warblington Cemetery and knowing full well that the Cattle Egrets were present here recently, it didn't take long to find at least four birds feeding by the roadside field among the grazing Cattle. I was driving slowly so I could view them through the roadside hedge and pointed them out to my ‘non-birder’ work colleague. Obviously, not a jot interested, but at least she acknowledged the sighting! To be honest, hardly anything else of note was seen that day; so moving on to Tuesday, I saw my first Grey Wagtail of the year, seen flying over The Oaks Crematorium while I was sitting in the car. Of course, I heard the bird first and hoping to grab my first sighting of one this year, I quickly hopped out of the car and watched the bird heading northbound and dropping towards the fountain area of The Oaks.

Above, this overwintering (?) female type Northern Wheatear was found at Lee on Solent by the airport while the finder was photographing a Black Redstart (below)! Photos by Graeme Loader.

On the subject of The Oaks Crematorium, work has now started in the field at the front of The Oaks for a new Housing Estate to be built. I, for one, find this extremely unpopular as the wildlife here and the neighbouring woods will be seriously affected in the future and anyway, why would anyone like to live in a property overlooking a Crematorium. Sadly, this is the way of this Government to build as many houses on green spaces as possible, ruining the countryside at any cost with greedy Councils raking in all the taxes etc. These houses will be unaffordable to first-time buyers anyway, but that's another subject that makes my blood boil.

The Great Grey Shrike photographed by Andy Tew this morning.

On Monday, the Great Grey Shrike that is wintering at Backley Common in the New Forest re-appeared, though proved quite elusive it seems. The Purple Sandpiper flock at Southsea Castle held 11 birds, however, they will probably depart soon due to the Council Work soon to be taking place there as part of the Sea Defence Scheme. Where will they end up? The Little Owls are back at Fort Cumberland and weather permitting, I have a day off this Friday and hope to catch a sighting of these delightful birds. Up to 4 Velvet Scoters are still off the Chalets at Hill Head yesterday and off Hayling Oysterbeds, the Long-tailed Duck was showing again as was the 2 Black-throated Divers off Black Point, Hayling Island.

One of the Short-eared Owls hunting over Thorney Island by Graeme Loader recently.

Andy and myself dipped on Saturday trying to view the female Red-crested Pochard, but it was present today in front of the Ivy South Hide and nearby, a flock of Lesser Redpolls were near the Woodland Hide at Blashford Lakes along with a Siberian Chiffchaff. Grumble! The latter species will eventually become a new species entirely, being upgraded from a subspecies.    

This two Gnat -like insects were mating on top of one of our vehicles this morning at our Fareham branch, making the most of the sunshine and getting 'jiggy with it!'

I regularly check Penny Clarke’s blog, ‘Penny’s Hot Birding and Life!’ to check up on what is happening in the birding world within North Norfolk. Becky and I are off there in a few weeks time for a relaxing week's stay in a Cottage within the village of Langham, which is only a stone's throw away from some superb bird reserve along the North Norfolk coast. This should help boost my year list and currently, there are Waxwing, Iceland Gull, Common Cranes, Taiga Bean Geese, Hen-harriers, Snow Buntings, Shorelarks and many other exciting species to add to my year list should I get lucky. I cannot wait. Even Becky has bought herself some new Walking Boots! Whether she uses them is another matter though!

This Mistletoe - clad tree by our Fareham branch, held a pair of Mistle Thrushes and good numbers of Wood Pigeons (on top of tree). 

Today (Wednesday), the weather changed much for the better, with a clear blue sky and hardly any wind. Yes, it was a bit fresh at first, but so much nicer than yesterday. Personally, I was working around both Portchester Crematorium and also Fareham Cemetery (for a change). The latter site had a Grey Wagtail flying over, my second of the year after the one I saw at The Oaks yesterday, but little else apart from the local Robins perching on the gravestones. Back at our Fareham branch, the neighbouring trees held a pair of Mistle Thrushes, though they didn't seem happy with all the Wood Pigeons occupying the canopy of the trees. A flock of Long-tailed Tits were joined by several Blue Tits as they roamed through the bushes and trees below the Pigeons. A Robin sang from one of the trees, while a rather tame male Blackbird allowed me a close approach as I made my way to the back of the site, where I disturbed our regular dog Fox that was resting in the sunshine. The Fox trotted off before my work colleague could get a look at him.

Above, Richard Tucker kindly sent over his photos of this superb Short-eared Owl hunting over Thorney Island recently. 

In the New Forest, the Great Grey Shrike performed well, albeit distantly to some of the ‘Lazee Birders (see photo) at Backley Bottom and the Long-tailed Duck was showing well from the car park at Hayling Oyster Beds along with 7 Black-necked Grebes. The Velvet Scoters are still off Hill Head and a Black-throated Diver was off Black Point again. Finally, I would like to thank those that have allowed me to use their superb photos on my blog; I really appreciate it.

No Green Woody over the Cemy.

Sunday 9th January 2022.

Goldfinch showing very well near the Mausoleum.

Scruff needed a walk this morning and by the time I had my chores done, it was midday before I got out of the house and made my way to Highland Road Cemetery. The day started a lot better weather wise, with bright sunshine and a bit of cloud overhead and no rain!! There was still a bit of a chill in the air (and so there should be at this time of the year!) as we eventually got into the Cemetery.

A Blackbird giving me the eye near the Mausoleum.

Greenfinch. One of four that flew off and headed northbound from trees in the northern end of the Cemy. 

I was hoping for the Green Woodpecker to put in an appearance today, but there was no sight or sound of one; as I need this species for a ‘year-tick’. I notched up 15 species here today, either heard or seen and though there was nothing unusual, it's always a nice challenge to see as many species as possible. The following birds were noted:

• Herring Gull
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Blackbird
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Blue Tit
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Jay
• Magpie

A pair of Jays. Both the birds were quite active throughout the area, but rarely settled. 

 There were a few plants on show during my walk round, which included Smooth Sow-thistle, Nipplewort, Daisies and most common of all, Common Groundsel. The only insects flying about were House Flies, which took a liking to the Ivy Plants again. It looks as though the Council have been tidying a lot of the graves, notably on the west side of the Cemy; clearing the gravestones from the Ivy plants. Another nice walk with our old Scruff (turning 14 this month!) in the sunshine.

Common Groundsel.

Singing Robin over on the south side. There were at least three singing birds. 

One of the ‘Lazee BIrders’ was birding over Gosport, particularly near the small Airport and while watching a Black Redstart, he also found a female type Wheatear! Either it was a very early individual or an overwintering bird? It looks as though we were looking in the wrong place for the Red-crested Pochard as it was on Ibsley North Lake and not from the Ivy North Hide! Doh! Both this bird and the Ferruginous Duck were seen this morning, the latter on Kingfisher Lake.   

A female House Sparrow enjoying the sunshine in the south-west corner. 

The race for 100 species for the year is won.

Saturday 8th January 2022.

The pair of Mandarins on Eyeworth Pond. Visibility was poor throughout the day and therefore the quality of the photos are somewhat darker than normal.  

Let us set the scene. I am currently on 85 UK bird species for the year while my compatriot, Mr Andrew Fisher is on 87 UK bird species for the year and so the race was on to see who would get to 100 species for the year first? It was always going to be close on who would get the Fly/Pye cup (our respective nicknames if you're wondering?!) and poor Andy had to settle for second place again (ha ha!) when I found a Chiffchaff outside the Ivy North Hide at Blashford Lakes.

A drake Pochard in front of the Tern Hide. 

The weather was always going to be awful, with heavy rain forecast throughout the day, but we did get a few breaks in the weather and at least we had the Hides at Blashford Lakes to take shelter and view the superb birds from. Our first stop was to be Eyeworth Pond for both Mandarin Duck and Goosander and while we took the slow drive down to the Pond through Fritham, I finally saw my first Redwing of the year by the side of the road, while Andy quickly got onto his first Song Thrush! On entering the car park, the rain was still falling down, but undeterred, I grabbed my binoculars and it didn't take long to get onto our first Mandarin Ducks of the year; a pair feeding on the opposite side of the Pond with Mallard. There was no sign of any Goosander, which was disappointing, but a small flock of Siskins flew over (another year-tick for both of us). Standing by the bush next to the gate, it didn't take long to attract a lot of Titmice for they probably thought we were going to feed them. Photographers regularly put out food for the birds here, hoping to grab some decent photos. Us being here attracted my first Marsh Tit of the year and therefore I had clawed one species back from Andy.

A female Goldeneye on Ibsley Water.

We spent long enough here not getting a soak and so took a drive first to the Shell Garage at Blashford to stock up with our lunch. Our first stop was to be the Tern Hide and we quickly got onto some nice birds. A pair of Goosander were seen over on the west side among the many Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall and Teal and at least 10 Goldeneye were seen, including at least four drakes. My second ‘year tick’ was quickly followed by a third with Pochard added and Andy quickly got onto a Kingfisher passing the Hide at speed! Finally, we both added Linnet to our year list when a single bird flew close past the Hide and landed on the ground in front of us. Sadly, there were no Geese present on Ibsley Water. Andy already had an Egyptian Goose on his year list, but there were no sightings of any today. 

The female Brambling kindly climbed onboard our year list (bottom right) with Siskins and a Goldfinch.

To show you how heavy the rain was, I took a photo of this poor soaked Chaffinch from the Woodland Hide.

Though the weather was poor, we made our way next to the Woodland Hide for Brambling. And we were in luck! A chap by the open window (the only one in this particular Hide) who was taking photos kindly told us that two Bramblings had been present only minutes ago and it didn't take too long for a female bird to show on one of the feeders. Also present were a good number of Siskins, Chaffinches and Goldfinches; that was until something flushed them and it all went quiet except for the constant dripping of rain coming through the roof of the Hide!

The Great White Egret looking quite displeased with the heavy rain. A second bird was seen flying over Ibsley Water from the Tern Hide. 

A female Goosander in front of the Ivy South Hide among the Wigeon.

Recently, there has been a female Red-crested Pochard seen from the Ivy North Hide, but first, we made our way to Ivy South Hide and it turned out to be a good decision to go there first. It was virtually neck and neck between us to get to the 100 species for the year as we picked up a superb Great White Egret in the reeds and a pair of Green Sandpipers flying over the water. I scanned the many wildfowl present for the rare Pochard but there was no sign, though I did find a female Goosander among the many Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall and Mallard. When we left the Hide, I heard a Treecreeper calling and I was extremely lucky enough to find the bird climbing a small tree by the footpath. I had now taken the lead! I was on 98 species and Andy was on 87. Minutes later, a female Bullfinch flew up from a bramble and now I only needed just one species! Apparently, yesterday, the Bittern had been seen and photographed from the Ivy North Hide and so should we see this bird, that would be a superb 100th species to be seen.

Andy walking along the soggy main footpath to the Ivy South Hide.

Sadly, there was no sighting of any Bitterns, Water Rails or even the Red-crested Pochard from the Ivy North Hide, but, wait for it……………..up popped my 100th species for the year! Yay! Andy popped outside the Hide for a smoke as I spotted a small bird on the Phragmites and it was a Chiffchaff! The Fly/Pye cup was retained for another year, but that's the closest race for many a year between us. Now I could relax. I called Andy in to view the bird and another couple more Chiffchaffs were seen, but nothing else new for us. 

The tiny Candlesnuff Fungus was growing on the trunk of this small bush (left). You can just about see it in this photos.

Andy was still on 99 species and so we went back to the Tern Hide to hopefully pick up something else and it didn't take long for me to point out a flying Lesser Black-back Gull flying over Ibsley Water. There were a lot of Herring Gulls on the small islands over on the west side of various ages, but I could not find a Yellow-legged Gull among them, even though there had been quite a few reported among the Gull roost late in the afternoon. Both Kestrel and Common Buzzard drifted over the lake and a flock of Meadow Pipits were seen to the east of the Hide, but no sign of any Water Pipits today.

Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Herring Gulls in front of the Ivy South Hide.

The New Forest in Winter has a lot to offer so hopefully I shall be back again here soon. We rounded off our trip here in the Forest by parking up in a small car park along Furzley Lane, which paid off when I spotted my first Mistle Thrush of the year. The rain was soon coming in again and so we made our way back home after a very exciting day.   

Wildfowl and Gulls in front of the Ivy South Hide in the rain. 

Moths are back and first Jay of the year.

Tuesday 4th January 2022.

The micro moth Monopsis crocicapitella/obviella in my house today.

I caught up with my first Jay of the year, when I spotted one flying over the Hulbert Road and into the trees as I came off the A3 and made my way to Waterlooville. A Nuthatch was also heard today, but sadly no sighting when I was at The Oaks Crematorium early this morning. If all goes well, Blashford Lakes is on my radar this Saturday. Three Common Buzzards were seen this morning while travelling north out of Portsmouth on the M275, including two birds perched on the same roadside lamp! All quiet along Portsdown Hill with just a couple of Pheasants seen along with a male Kestrel near Fort Southwick.

A quick change of subject with ‘micro’ moths being seen of late in and around my house. My first Beautiful Plume of the year was perched outside my kitchen window yesterday and inside the house, we had a White-shouldered House Moth and a couple of Monopsis crocicapitella/obviella. They are either one or the other species, but they require dissection of the genitalia to be certain of identification. No thanks!

This gorgeous male Black Redstart was found and photographed by Pete Appleton over at HMS Daedelus, over in Gosport this morning.

The inclement weather first thing this morning produced a sighting of a Leach's Petrel offshore from Netley, near Southampton for nearly an hour, but the bird soon disappeared afterwards and not found subsequently. A Velvet Scoter and 2 Great Northern Divers were off Black Point, Hayling Island and off the Hayling Oyster Beds, there were 5 Black-necked Grebes, a Slavonian Grebe and the long staying Long-tailed Duck. Cold weather is making a return this week with wintry showers forecast. I have some long distance jobs to do over the next few days and so hopefully, will catch up with a few more 'year-ticks'.  

From Dawn till Dusk birding!

Saturday 1st January 2021.

Dawn over the Solent this morning.

And so a new year begins and today, both Andy and I done our ‘From Dawn till Dusk’ birding and for a change, we only kept to Hampshire. Yes, it was going to be a tall order to beat our record of 92 species in a day, but we gave it our best shot and at one stage, it looked promising, but time got the better of us and we ended up with a reasonable 73 species for the day. Not only was the weather dry (so much for the weather forecast saying it would be raining all day!), but we also came across a good many familiar faces along the way.

The Purple Sandpipers at Southsea Castle roosting in their usual site at Southsea Castle. 

Including this lone individual!

Andy picked me up in his car at 7.45am and while waiting for him to arrive, my first birds of the New Year passed overhead: firstly several Herring Gulls and then a Carrion Crow, though I did hear both a Robin and Blackbird sing nearby, but to add to our year list, they must be sightings. Our first stop was to be Southsea Castle for the Purple Sandpipers and possibly some other goodies we might come across. It took just a few minutes for me to find our first Purple Sandpiper, a single bird all by itself perched high up on the wall as the sea level was quite high. A further 14 more were found on our walk back along the promenade, though all were roosting while the tide was high. Other bird sightings added to our year list included Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Great Black-backed Gull, Brent Goose, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Feral Pigeon and a good sized flock of Mute Swan as we passed Canoe Lake.

Oystercatchers in the southern car park at Eastney.

Our next stop was Eastney and by parking by the harbour entrance, we made our way down to the Ferry Terminal to view Langstone Harbour, which was now at high tide. We quickly picked up a flock of Turnstone on the boats plus Starling, Wood Pigeon, Cormorant, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot. A pair of Pied Wagtails flew over our heads and landed near our feet! From the southern car park; Robin, Stock Dove, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit and by the shoreline, a large flock of Sanderling.

Great Crested Grebes swimming in the harbour near the main entrance to Farlington Marshes.  

Farlington Marshes was our next destination and a site where we had the most species seen - 26 species. A pair of Stonechats were by the car park and a pair of Collared Doves and a Dunnock were seen by the entrance to the reserve. Walking through the Bushes area up to the Lake, we notched up the following: Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Pintail, Shelduck, Coot, Redshank, Little Grebe, Mallard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Avocet, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Skylark, Rock Pipit, Wren, Grey Plover, Common Snipe,Kestrel, Little Egret, Dunlin, Mediterranean Gull and Blue Tit. Though we never walked all the way around the reserve, I felt that time was against us and so from the Info Centre, we made our way back to the car park. We did hear Bearded Tit, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler, but we could not count them in our year list. Frustrating!

A pair of Teal by the viewing platform.

Lapwing, Shelduck and a Little Egret among the Avocets on Farlington Marshes.

Our first Med Gull of the year being carefully watched by a young Common Gull.

Next stop was Budd’s Farm and the Mound. The weather wasn't that clever, with a southerly wind blowing in off the harbour that didn't help us locate anything of note from the Mound. However, two more ‘year ticks’ were added from the pools by the Water Works area: Tufted Duck and Shoveler. Sadly, no sign of any Pochard, which was surprising. There was a friendly chap there doing a WeBS count, but he could not find anything more for us. 

A female Stonechat on Budd's Mound. 

Gadwall on the pools at Budds's Farm.

We picked up some grub from 'Greggs' on Hayling Island and after we consumed our well deserved nosh, we made our way down to Sandy Point. Parking up in Seafarers Walk, we took the footpath to the beach and harbour entrance. On our way there, we picked up both Great Tit and Chaffinch to our list (phew; sometimes the really common birds are the hardest to get!). On reaching the beach, we set up a scope and was soon joined by both John Cronin and Andy Friend! We picked up our first Razorbill of the year drifting on the outgoing tide into the Solent. Apart from a few Great Crested Grebes flying by and a large flock of Teal giving us a headache on ID, it was pretty quiet here and so Andy and myself took a stroll to the Hayling Sailing Club.

A Grey Heron at Langstone Mill Pond. We were hoping for both Mandarin and Cattle Egret at this site but drew a big blank!

From here, we came across birding pal, Geoff Farwell, who was checking out the harbour. Thoroughly enjoying our chat, we picked up 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Slavonian Grebes, more Razorbills and Guillemots and finally a large flock of Bar-tailed Godwits. When we walked back to our respective cars, we came across Andy Johnson who kindly showed us where a flock of Sandwich Terns were fishing! Many thanks Andy. We said cheerio to Geoff and hurried off to Warblington for the Cattle Egrets and while driving back through Hayling, we notched up both Rook and Jackdaw to our total.

Around 20 years ago, us three (Andy, myself and Geoff Farwell) used to 'twitch' all over the place and here we are on Sandy Point today.

Wartblington was somewhat disappointing as we hoped to pick up a Woodpecker or some Thrush species, but at least we picked up the Cattle Egrets, with at least 14 present and a further four more flying overhead. The light now at 3.30pm was getting poor and so we hastily finished off our day at Southmoor again. It was low tide in Langstone Harbour and so getting anything interesting out on the water was a non-starter. Instead, we checked out the pools again and though no Pochard was to be seen, I did find our first Buzzard of the year! We eventually called it a day, but as we were packing our stuff away back in the car, I found both Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit to draw a close to the day's birding! OK, 73 species was much lower than our highest ever total, but I was fairly pleased with this, seeing we kept to Hampshire only. I think we will hit the magic 100 species for the year by close of play next Saturday.

Arguably, the worst photo of three Cattle Egrets coming into land over Warblington. The light was bloody awful in my defence! 

If you are reading this, I hope you have a fantastic New Year and thank you again for reading. Joining the ‘Lazee Birders’ Whatsapp site has made me more friends and readers, so I hope to entertain you guys as the year progresses.