Saturday 29th April 2023.
Yet another superb days birding with Mr Andrew Fisher, which started off with the moths and finished off relaxing in the Red Lion pub in Chalton, with 3 ‘year-ticks’ for our respective bird year lists. On what was arguably the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching around 20 degrees, we had the perfect weather and if I was to complain about it, it was just the heat haze was a bit of a problem for photographing the birds. But hey, a beautiful day nonetheless.
I shall kick off with the moths (Don’t fall asleep, readers!!!) where I firstly put my moth box on overnight and was rewarded with 20 moths, albeit mostly micro moths. But on the positive front, there were three species that were new for the year. These included Mompha epilobiella, Mompha divisella and another tiny little moth, Aspilapteryx tringpennella. 14 Light Brown Apple Moths was a good number for this species, though they are arguably the most numerous micro moths; 4 Tachystola acroxantha, a single Common Plume and the only ‘macro’ moth, a Double-striped Pug, was the sum total of a reasonable haul this morning in my moth box. Occasionally, the bright light of my moth box will attract other insects and this morning there was a Hoverfly species, Epistrophe elegans, present as well.
Arriving at Andy’s house around 7.30am and again, there were a good few moths present in and around his moth box. There were both Brimstone Moth and Garden Carpet present, which were both new moths for my year list as well as Twenty-plume Moths (around 4 of them actually!) among the many there that included at least 4 Double-striped Pugs, 2 Common Plume, 3 Tachystola acroxantha and a White-shouldered House Moth. I was pleased with that, though I was a bit disappointed there were no moths in the egg trays.
Our first birding trip was to go and see the Nightingales at Marlpit Lane, Westmancote; a reliable site I have now been coming back to over the past 20+ years. Though we are trying to see birds in Hampshire this year, I felt the Nightingales at Whiteley Pastures would be too difficult to see and so I would rather try my luck at the former site, despite it being on the West Sussex border. As we drove slowly down Marlpit Lane with the windows open, we listened out for the Nightingales and it didn't take long with a singing bird belting out its beautiful song on my side of the road. Parking up, we walked up to the area where the bird was singing and then we were confronted by several barking Alsatians from the large garden opposite. The din from those damn dogs was very loud, but it didn't stop the Nightingale from singing. Though we spent a good 15 minutes there, the bird simply would not show, so we tried our luck with another singing bird further south down the road.
In fact, we discovered at least four singing Nightingales in the vicinity, though two of the birds were some distance away. The nearest one singing to us was in the same area where we saw a bird last year and so, climbing over a wire fence, we made our way to the field opposite the road where the bird was singing. Already, we had good views of both Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps along Marlpit Lane, though a Bullfinch was more elusive as it was calling deep within the roadside trees. Overhead, several Swallows flew over and the occasional Mediterranean Gull would go over as well.
As we got to the area overlooking the field with brambles and trees and the Nightingale singing its heart out, we were joined by fellow ‘Lazee’, Graeme Loader, sporting his huge long-lens camera. He was also interested in seeing and photographing the Nightingales and so having the pleasure of his company, we watched patiently for the bird to eventually show. Nightingales are notorious in hiding from view, but we did get several sightings of the bird singing in the trees and at a safe distance too; unlike some ‘birders & toggers’ who have to get far too close to get the ‘money shot’!
While enjoying the singing Nightingale, other birds seen while we were there included at least two singing Common Whitethroats, a couple of Common Buzzards high overhead, more Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, a Raven soaring also high overhead with a missing tail (!), a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying over and best of all, our first Cuckoo of the day that flew high over the fields heading north. Also, both Green Woodpecker and Yellowhammer were heard too. I am always looking around for nature and where we stood, there were Wild Strawberry plants that were in flower, which I pointed out to Andy.
Saying our goodbyes to Graeme, we made our way next to Woolmer Pond, hopefully to see both Redstart and Tree Pipit, our target species there. We got news from fellow ‘Lazee’, Mark Francis, that both Grasshopper Warbler and a drake Garganey were near the Meonshore Hide at Titchfield Haven this morning, but I was determined to go to Woolmer Pond first. Parking up in the small car park, we made our way to the southern end of the Woolmer Pond to overlook the area there for a possible Tree Pipit. Year on year, a Tree Pipit has held territory there, but sadly, not this morning, though we did see a male Stonechat perched high up on a tree, several Linnets flying past and a Common Buzzard flapping lazily away from us.
We made our way to the Cottage in the northern end of Woolmer Pond and on the way there, we were blessed with two singing Garden Warblers that showed very well. Both Chiffchaff and Blackcap were also seen, however, a singing Sedge Warbler (that was a little unexpected) remained deep within cover in some brambles beside the main track. On the Pond itself, up to three Little Grebes were seen chasing one another and at least one pair of Tufted Ducks were seen with three Mallards. Several Canada Geese were also on the water along with a pair of Grey Lag Geese, but thankfully, we did not see any dead wildfowl this morning. Some Mute Swans had been reported dead here recently. Bird Flu is still rife among the wild populations of birds of late, which is very disturbing.
Enjoying the many flowers in bloom that attracted several butterflies including Small White’s, Peacocks and a few Orange-tips, we eventually made our way to the Cottage garden. Even before we reached the Cottage, I could hear a male Redstart in full song within the garden and it didn't take long to see the bird high up in one of the trees. Last year was a completely different story at this site as I went three to four times in search of this species, but failed on every attempt. So to see this gorgeous bird was a real blessing.
While Andy sat down by the Cottage and took in all the surroundings, I explored the garden some more and quickly pointed out a Siskin flying overhead. A few Chiffchaffs were around, but surprisingly, no Willow Warblers. This species is going through a decline in Southern England which is also worrying. Woolmer Pond was a very good reliable site for this species, but it is getting difficult to see them of late. There were both the Spanish and wild Bluebells on show in the garden which I pointed out to Andy on how to tell them apart. A Red Kite flew south across the Pond, being harassed by a Crow in doing so, while overhead, more Buzzards soared high over the site.
We made our way towards Woolmer Pond and another male Stonechat was seen perched up on a small Birch tree. A Woodlark was heard singing in the distance, but no sightings of this species today. Overlooking the large pool adjacent to the Forest, I picked out a superb Hobby hawking for insects high over the pool. It showed well, though a bit distant, until it zoomed down and landed in a dead tree, while overhead, it was easy to pick out at least four to five Common Buzzards overhead.
On exiting the Forest, we made our way down the large path and it didn't take long to find our first Tree Pipit of the year. In fact, two singing male Tree Pipits were seen holding territory, perched up on tall trees on the heath either side of the main path. I managed to grab a few photos of one of the birds, but I also noticed several Common Heath moths on the wing around the heather; but trying to focus on getting one through my camera lens proved so difficult. The chance went begging as the moth flew off. Grumble!
On the way back to the car, we saw another Cuckoo flying over the scrub north of the Cottage. This was Andy’s fourth Cuckoo of the year (two were seen last week at Fishlake Meadows), whereas he never saw one last year! We had another good view of one of the Garden Warblers on the way back and the Sedge Warbler was still in song but remained hidden in the brambles. From the car park, we decided to try our luck, as Andy suggested, for the Turtle Doves near Chalton on the way back and although there was no sight or sound of them, I will not be giving the exact location of the birds as they are getting quite rare, especially in Hampshire. However, we enjoyed several Swallows overhead and on the wires and had good views of both Blackcap and Chiffchaff again. Both Red Kite and Common Buzzards were abundant in the area and Andy even got his first Holly Blue butterfly of the year that was flitting about on a hedgerow near where we parked the car.
Yes, we rounded off this lovely days birding in the Red Lion Pub for some well earned refreshment (it was packed!) and while in the pub garden, we enjoyed a flock of 6 Swallows overhead, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying over and more sightings of Red Kite and Common Buzzard over a refreshing pint. Bliss.
