One of the many male Redstarts seen in Pig Bush woods today.
I arranged to meet up with both Emma & Matt Parkes at Fareham to arrange a trip into the New Forest. The plan was to go to both Pig Bush and Acres Down, but because the news filtered through that an adult Night Heron had been found by Posbrook Floods this afternoon, we scrapped the Acres Down trip to make our way there after a superb trip to Pig Bush. It was so hard to believe that we had a frost this morning and this afternoon, the temperature got up to at least 73 degrees Fahrenheit!
Pig Bush, New Forest:
A lot of the Redstarts were in the tops of the trees.
I had brought along my Emperor Moth Lure to try out on the heath and we were successful with at least three moths attracted to the Lure, but the moths simply wouldn't settle and no photos were obtained, which was really frustrating. From the Car Park, we made our way around the outskirts of the wood, where we heard the likes of both Redstart and Blackcap singing deep within the woodland. Meanwhile, out over the heath, Emma found a Common Lizard but it was too quick for me to grab a photo. A pair of Stonechats were out on the heath near some Gorse bushes. A pair of Common Buzzards soared overhead and a Tree Pipit was heard flying over and another singing on the opposite side of the road. A Large Red Damselfly was seen fluttering about over the old bracken and trying out my Lure for the first time, it didn't take long for the first Emperor Moth to arrive, but as mentioned earlier, the moth would not settle and eventually flew off over the heath.
Above, a male Sparrowhawk soaring over the woodland and below, we found a few of these Click Beetles flying around or walking on the floor.
Above, a male Stonechat on the heath and below, a Redstart on the edge of the woodland
There were plenty of Brimstone butterflies on the wing and a few Peacock butterflies, whereas within the woods, a few Small Whites and Speckled Woods were noted. Rounding the first wood we came too, we found our first Redstart singing high up in the branches and had to go within the wood to finally get some reasonable photos. Above us, another Common Buzzard was seen soaring over and was joined by a male Sparrowhawk of which Matt exclaimed they fly like a miniature Spitfire!
Above, one of many Brimstone butterflies seen today and below, this male Stonechat showed well by the Car Park.
We made our way south across the heath and came across more Stonechats and Redstarts, but best of all, we came across at least three Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. I shall not name the area of which we saw these delightful birds for they are a Schedule One species and need protection at all times. The New Forest is probably the last stronghold they have in the UK and watching them this afternoon was very entertaining and afforded us some nice photos of the bird too. What was memorable was when the female was calling and flapping her wings to attract the male birds present; something none of us had seen before. Memorable to say the least.
Above, the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen today.
Above, film footage of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Making our way back to the car, we had sightings of a Kestrel hunting over the heath and a Red Kite was also seen soaring overhead. Up to four Common Buzzards were seen soaring over the heath and a Swallow was actually flying quite close to one of the Buzzards! A Curlew was heard calling over the heath in the distance to round off a memorable trip here at Pig Bush.
Posbrook Floods, Titchfield Haven:
Our first Common Whitethroat of the year.
We managed to get to the small Car Park by the Canal Path around 4.30pm and then made our way south to hopefully see the Night Heron. However, our first Common Whitethroat of the year stopped us in our tracks as the bird showed well in some brambles by the main footpath; exactly where I saw one last year (same bird?). As we made our way down the Canal Path, I could see up to 5 Black-tailed Godwits on the Bridge Street Floods along with a few Teal, Mallard and Gulls.
Common Whitethroat.
We came across birding pal Pete Appleton along the footpath and he said he did not manage to see the Night Heron and the last time it got reported was around 3.30pm. However, while we were talking to him, Emma saw some Hirundines high over Posbrook Floods and on closer inspection, one of the three birds present was most definitely a House Martin; my first of the year. The other two birds were Sand Martins and all three headed off northbound.
Common Whitethroat.
We spent a good hour checking thoroughly the Willows and Bushes over on the far side of Posbrook Floods, but to no avail. Another male Stonechat was seen and on the Floods, there were two drake Pochards among the Teal and Mallard. A pair of Red Kites were seen overhead as we made our way back to the car, which rounded off a cracking afternoon's birding. Shame about the Night Heron for there were some great photos of the bird that were taken today. Apparently, the Night Heron reappeared just before dusk and then flew up north towards the Bridge Street Floods. Hopefully, it could be refound tomorrow? Here's hoping!
A male Blackcap was a pleasant surprise in the Cemy this morning.
I decided not to go ‘sea-watching’ this morning at Southsea Seafront and made breakfast for my wife instead. OK, that's not just the reason as I took my dogs for an early morning walk around Highland Road Cemetery and it paid off too with some nice birds seen. I had the Moth Box on overnight and was rewarded with very few moths, but judging by the frost in Highland Road Cemetery this morning, I am not surprised if it only just got above freezing!
The Moth Box:
I think this is only the second Muslin Moth I have ever had in my garden.
Last night, I had rescued a Common Quaker moth from a web near my Moth Box, but though it was flapping about within the web, I quickly potted it and removed all the spider web I could find. Sadly, the Moth must have been bitten by the Spider as it was dead this morning when I went to check. On a positive note, I found a Muslin Moth on the white sheet behind the Moth Box. This is a rare moth to my garden as I have only ever had one before here. The only other moths present were a Common Plume and a Light Brown Apple Moth. A Chiffchaff was heard singing in the gardens behind mine while I checked the Moth Box.
Above, I found this Red Mason Bee in my kitchen last night and gently released it back in the garden. Below, the moribund Common Quaker moth.
Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:
A frosty start in the Cemy this morning but the sun was shining and there were migrant birds in the Cemy, What's not to love?
My walk with the dogs was a pleasant one and when I heard the distinctive song of a Willow Warbler singing somewhere near the edge of the Holm Oak clump, I took a bee-line in that direction for a change. Thankfully, the bird did eventually show, but not easily as it remained high up in one of the Holm Oaks and occasionally in the bushes below. While searching for the Warbler, a male Blackcap popped out of the bushes and showed well enough for a few photos. Then a little later, I heard it singing as I carried on walking around the Cemy with the dogs. At least two, possibly three Willow Warblers were heard singing; so there must have been a fall of this species here on the south coast.
Above, another photo of the male Blackcap and below, the back end of a Willow Warbler high up in one of the Holm Oak trees.
Above, Bluebells are always a welcome bit of colour here and below, the Mallard flying over the houses was not only a surprise but also a 'Patch tick'.
Above, a pair of Med Gulls heading north and below, a Black-headed Gull heading westbound over the Cemy.
Above, a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls also flew over the Cemy.
Above and below, I watched this Wren singing in its territory and even displaying to a nearby female.
Four species of Gull were seen this morning that included Herring, Black-headed, Great Black-backed and Mediterranean Gull, which isn't a bad record here and I even saw my first ever Mallard at this site flying over the Cemy and then carrying on over the houses in a north-easterly direction. A good ‘patch tick’! No Woodpeckers or Jays this morning, but great views of the Wrens singing their little hearts out.
It was back down to Southsea seafront this morning for yet another ‘Sea-watch’ on another clear and still morning over a flat calm sea. Then later this morning, I took my dogs for a nice long walk around Woolmer Pond in search of the Redstart that had been reported there. OK, it was a long drive up there with the dogs, but they behaved nicely in the back of the car. A quick look on Birdguides revealed that the Least Sandpiper was still at Medmerry RSPB Reserve and unbelievably, a Booted Eagle was found in Kent! Two in the UK perhaps?
Southsea seafront:
Above and below, Sandwich Terns over the Solent. At least they were entertaining on such a quiet morning here.
In all honesty, despite a two and a half hours there, it was very slow this morning with long periods of nothing but Gulls passing through. At least the Sandwich Terns kept me entertained. It kicked off nicely with two flocks of Whimbrel passing through heading east, with flocks of 5 and 12 seen. Though sadly, that was probably the highlight here with two adult Shags, an adult Gannet, 4 Common Tern, 12 Med Gulls and two flocks of Brent Geese (5 & 10 birds) heading east. A Linnet came in off the sea and flew straight into the Gardens behind me. I found out later that the same guy who was here last week and got a hatful of goodies was also here this morning, somewhere. He said he saw a Hobby and Peregrine coming in off the sea!! How lucky was that!
Above and below, Brent Geese heading east over the Solent.
Above, the Oil Tanker Ellie Nova was helped into the Solent by a Tug. Yes, it was that quiet!
Woolmer Pond, Bordon:
This Treecreeper showed very well in the small wood on the edge of the Pond.
After doing a few chores at home, I grabbed the dogs and put them in the car and then drove up to Woolmer Pond. A Redstart had been reported here again yesterday and so I thought I would try my luck. A pair of Common Buzzards were on the wing high over the A3 on the way up to Woolmer, but nothing else of note to get the blood pumping! On arrival at the small car park, I carefully took the dogs across the main road (for they do speed down by the roundabout). Walking through the wood to the perimeter fence, a Treecreeper showed very well climbing a Silver Birchtree while Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard singing within the woodland.
Above, another photo of the Treecreeper and below, Tufted Ducks on the Pond.
Above, a Goldfinch high up in one of the Silver Birches by the footpath. Below, one of many Chiffchaffs here.
On reaching the Pond, a good scan over the water revealed good numbers of Tufted Duck, at least 4 Little Grebes and around a dozen Grey Lag Geese. Other birds here included Coots, Moorhens, Mallards and at least 10 Black-headed Gulls. I couldn't find any Hirundines over the Pond or the tree opposite, though the Red flags were up and the sound of gunfire echoed around the site and probably kept the birds down.
Above, one of the Common Buzzards soaring north of the Pond and below, I found this male Goldcrest searching for insects on the Cottage itself.
Above and below, the Buzzards were seen mating and luckily for them, they had a veil of leaves to hide behind!
Above, another photo of the Buzzard and below, the Red Kite came in to inspect a probable kill.
Above and below, the Red Kite. Notice below, the twisted tail of the Kite about to land.
Above, a Comma butterfly landed on the brambles by the footpath near the main road and below, a view of Woolmer Pond looking south.
I had the dogs on the lead all the time as we slowly made our way to the Cottage. Earlier, I bumped into Richard Ford making his way back through the woods and he told me that he had a Redstart by the Cottage, but it was quiet otherwise. On the way to the Cottage, a Siskin flew over and both a male Blackcap and Chiffchaffs were seen. There was very little wind which encouraged the raptors to show and a pair of Common Buzzards were soaring above and believe it not, they were later seen mating in the small wooded area near the Cottage! From here, after a lengthy search in the Cottage Garden of which a Goldcrest, Blackcap, a few Chaffinches and a singing Chiffchaff were noted; there was no sign of any Redstarts. But while I watched the Buzzards, I then heard the Redstart singing in the same wood. I only managed one glimpse of the bird high up on a Pine tree, but although the bird was constantly singing, it was obviously flitting from tree to tree and remained elusive despite my best efforts to view the bird. Giving up in trying to get a photo of the bird, out popped at Red Kite circling over the wasteland to the north. Several Crows had gathered on the ground and probably had found something dead to eat hence why the Kite circled low and eventually landed out of view among the Crows.
The Treecreeper in the small wood by the Pond.
I gave the dogs a good drink and a few dog treats before making our way back to the car, but nothing else of note was seen; but they enjoyed their walk and behaved nicely on the car journey back home. I shall be taking them out on journeys again in the near future, but I must take their drink containers on future journeys instead of drinking from my water bottle!
