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.
The Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush, New Forest, today. Film footage by Pete Gammage.
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.
A bright day today with a cool breeze on my first shift at Pembroke Road this morning. Temperatures improved in the afternoon as it climbed up to around 15 degrees, but the strong westerly wind kept things a little cooler. Insects were noteworthy today and included my first Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the year. I know March seems a bit early for this species, but I saw one roughly the same time, same place last year. I believe one was seen in a garden earlier this month.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Though nothing outstanding was seen today regarding the bird life within Pembroke Road, 15 species noted wasn't too bad a total. As per usual, all the usual species were seen and even the singing Dunnock was seen today opposite where I stand, perched on a bit of hedgerow beside the Bowling Green. Overhead, the usual three species of Gull were seen (Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull); but no sign of any Hirundines passing over yet.
As mentioned, the sun brought out the insects and pride of place was my first Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the year. I only caught sight of it briefly as it checked out some of the garden plants growing in the front of the houses and then quickly disappeared over the rooftops and far too quick for me to grab a photo. A queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee dropped in briefly too in the afternoon and also checked out the few flowering plants before flying off across the road.
The Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) in my garden early afternoon.
While having lunch back in my garden, the sunshine attracted several Hairy-footed Bumblebees to the fence panel and also, my first Batman Hoverfly of the year was seen basking in the sunshine (see photo).
In Hampshire today:
There was a lot of migrant activity in Hampshire today where a Wheatear was found on Farlington Marshes and 3 Spoonbills were seen in Langstone Harbour by the same observer. There was an early report of a Little Ringed Plover at Eastleigh Railway Yard this morning and Sand Martins were reported at Posbrook Floods, Lower Test Marshes and Ibsley Water (Blashford Lakes). A Common Whitethroat was reported at Cosham; a very early bird. More wintry and local stuff involved a Black-throated Diver seen flying into Chichester Harbour from Sandy Point and also a Ring-necked Parakeet flying high over the reserve. The Ruddy Shelduck was still present at Ranvilles Lane area and nearby, the Little Owl was showing well again at Newlands Farm. Back at Titchfield Haven, the 6 Glossy Ibis were once again along the Canal Path and three immature Spoonbills were seen flying over the Reserve. The Great Grey Shrike was showing well again at Pig Bush in the New Forest.
This adult White-tailed Eagle was being mobbed by a Raven over the New Forest recently. Photo by Steve Laycock.
Birding pal, Andy Fisher, managed to grab his first Bearded Tit sighting of the year.
Fog was present all morning including when I walked past Highland Road Cemetery this morning with my dogs.
There was a warning yesterday about thick fog here on the south coast and how right they were. Foghorns were going off all day out in the Solent, but that didn't put me off from putting my Moth Box on overnight and I wasn't to be disappointed. There was some light rain on and off throughout the morning, but not on the scale we have seen last month. Again, I was keeping a good eye and ear out for migrants, but in this fog, I was lucky to see so many species of birds today. My dogs got their early morning walk this morning and as I passed Highland Road Cemetery, I heard a Mediterranean Gull calling overhead, but could not see the bird in the fog and the same goes for a Greenfinch flying over.
My Moth Box:
The Common Quaker was my second in my garden this year.
There were no Plume Moths this morning, but there were two ‘macro’ moths; a Hebrew Character and a Common Quaker. It is still early days yet with the Moths, but we should be getting a few different species very soon with the likes of Angle Shades and Early Grey. Who knows, maybe something rarer?
Also my second Hebrew Character of the year in my garden.
Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:
Thick fog when I arrived at Pembroke Road this morning. The Royal Garrison Church was only just visible in the gloom.
The beginning of the working week was a foggy one and I really didn't think I would see that much in Pembroke Road this morning; it was very foggy! The fog horns sounding off the Solent was so loud at times, even the school kids were wondering where the noise was coming from! The fog did lift a little while on my afternoon shift, but the Solent remained near invisible.
Despite the thick fog, I still notched up 11 species this morning and that included a singing Goldcrest in the Holm Oaks. I was hoping for a singing Chiffchaff this morning, but hopefully, one will be present later on this week. I have been keeping an eye out on the grassy areas for a possible Wheatear as a few already have been seen in Hampshire over the past week.
A further 4 more species were seen in the afternoon that included Starling, Black-headed Gull, Great Tit and Dunnock; the latter two species were both singing around by the Bowling Green.
In Hampshire today:
Not surprisingly, there were very few bird reports on both Hants Birding website and Birdguides in Hampshire today. But local birder, Mark Francis, found a 1st winter Little Gull at Hill Head.
This superb Goshawk was photographed in the New Forest recently. Photos by Daz Gorman.
Yesterday, birding pal Geoff Farwell went to Bushy Copse, which is a woodland complex just south of Longwood Warren. From there, he had sightings of 7 singing Firecrest, a Blackcap, Marsh Tit, Siskin and 80+ Chaffinches. Last Saturday, while Andy Fisher and myself were enjoying Blashford Lakes, Geoff was down Farlington Marshes. From there, as well as doing the Wetland Bird Survey, he saw 120+ Avocets, Green Sandpiper, 100+ Med Gulls on the Deeps area, a Light-bellied Brent Goose (I wondered where it went!), singing Chiffchaff and he heard the Bearded Tits.
Adult Med Gulls over Hayling Oyster Beds. Photo by Andy Friend. These are virtually seen every day now flying over Southsea, with their distinctive 'mewing' calls heard overhead.
One of the many Siskins with a Goldfinch in front of the Woodland Hide.
It was just Andy and myself visiting Blashford Lakes today and though the weather was a bit dull and dreary, we still had a good day at this amazing site. Our target birds today were the Bittern and Brambling and the Birding Gods were smiling down on us! We also tried our luck for both Water Pipit and Red-crested Pochard at the same site, but they eluded us today. Geoff was taking part in the WebS Count at Farlington Marshes today and so we missed his company today.
The Moth Boxes:
The six Hebrew Character moths from Andy's egg boxes.
Despite being quite mild overnight and a bit damp, the only Moth present in my garden this morning was a Common Plume, while over at Cowplain Marsh (Andy’s garden), a much better total of 6 Hebrew Characters were present within the egg boxes by the Moth Box. Sadly, no other species were present despite it being overcast and mild overnight.
The lone Common Plume moth by my Moth Box.
From my garden, while I was checking the Moth Box, I heard the distinctive ‘yaffle’ of a Green Woodpecker way in the distance and can only assume it was calling from Highland Road Cemetery. The male Blackcap was singing quietly in someone's garden just north of mine, but no sightings of the Warbler this morning. Andy’s garden was much quieter, though Geoff told me that a Blackcap was seen singing there yesterday.
Blashford Lakes, Blashford:
The female Brambling in front of the Woodland Hide.
The Woodland Hide was our first objective and after picking up our food for the day at the nearby Garage, we parked up in the Centre car park and slowly made our way to the Hide. The area was alive with calling and singing Siskins up in the treetops and throughout the woods. The whole area was alive with birdsong that included Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Song Thrush and Robins. Goldcrests were flitting about in the treetops too and along the footpath, there were many plants in flower including Primroses and Wild Daffodils; a speciality for this site of this rare plant. Scarlet Elf Cap toadstools dotted the adjacent footpath, looking like bits of discarded Orange peel.
Above, my first Primroses of the year were by the Centre Car Park and below, Scarlet Elf Cap toadstools were abundant around the footpaths.
From the Woodland Hide, Andy and myself were told by a passing birder that he had seen a Brambling here ten minutes earlier and so we made our way into the Hide and looked patiently from the windows. Siskins were abundant here along with smaller numbers of Goldfinch, Nuthatch, a variety of Titmice and best of all, a female type Brambling. Andy had gone outside for a cigarette and so I got up and called him back in to view the bird. Our first ‘year-tick’ of the day. This species is virtually annual here around this time of year and a pair had been seen throughout the week at this location.
Above, a male and two female Siskins on one of the feeders and below, a Nuthatch in front of the Woodland Hide.
Our next stop was to try our luck for the Bittern from the Ivy North Hide. A Bittern had been seen on and off throughout the week and so, our hopes in seeing the bird were high. The walk to the Hide was very pleasant with more Scarlet Elf Caps seen along the way while overhead, at least two singing Chiffchaffs were heard along with more Nuthatches and Treecreepers on the way.Redwing were also within the woodland and a few flew overhead near the Ivy North Hide.
Above, a female Blackbird in front of the Woodland Hide was followed by its mate a little later. Below, the view I had through the window looking within the Ivy North Hide. The Bittern was seen on the left hand reedbed, but grabbing a photo proved difficult as the reeds obscured my view. However, I got good enough views of the bird to add to my year list.
Above, a Cetti's Warbler in front of the Ivy North Hide and below, I like this photo of the female Brambling, showing its intricate plumage details from behind.
As expected, it was a long wait for the Bittern to show and during that wait, we had sightings of a Cetti’s Warbler flitting low in the reedbed and a variety of Titmice showing from the side window along with a Treecreeper. The packed Hide, fully armed with various sized Cameras at the ready, got very excited when one of the birders said the Bittern was showing. The reedbed that was left of the channel was where the bird was, but from where I was sitting, I could not get a view of the bird. Andy came back into the Hide after another cigarette and another 30 minute wait paid off when the shout went up again that the bird was on view. This time, I got lucky and I watched the bird, through the reeds, very slowly move towards the edge of the reedbed. However, it stopped and then turned itself round and disappeared back into the reedbed; but hey, I actually saw the bird and pleased with our two minute sighting, we made our way out of the Hide. Another Bittern was seen over Titchfield Haven this afternoon.
Above, the Wild Daffodils that bloom here every year within the Centre and below, one of the Nuthatches in front of the Woodland Hide.
Above, a Coal Tit feeding on a sunflower heart seed and below, Siskin also enjoys one of the seeds. Both in front of the Woodland Hide.
It was now the turn of the Tern Hide for a possible Water Pipit and so Andy decided to walk to the Hide while I went back for the car and then met him within the Car Park there. The Water Pipit was associated with Meadow Pipits yesterday and a large flock of Meadow Pipits were on the grassy bank and spit to the right of the Hide. Despite going through the 40+ Meadow Pipits there several times, I could not find the Water Pipit among them. A pair of Grey Wagtails came close to the Hide and allowed me to grab some lovely photos of the birds. A male Pied Wagtail was also with the Pipits.
Above, Wigeon and Shoveler in front of the Tern Hide and below, a few Pintail were there too.
Above, a male Grey Wagtail that was now in summer plumage and its mate below; both in front of the Tern Hide.
Out on Ibsley Water, all the usual wildfowl were present and among them was a pair of Goldeneye, but they were both distant. It was very dull out there as drizzle was mixed in with the murky conditions. Time was getting on and as we left the Hide to get back into the car, a pair of Goosanders flew over heading south over the woodland and probably off to Ivy Lake. Nearing Ellingham Drove, the stream that runs underneath the track grabbed my attention as I saw something plop in the water. It was a Kingfisher of which we both saw as it flew off down the small stream.
Rockford Lake, Blashford:
The female Red-crested Pochard was our next target bird and so we took a long walk from the Tern Hide to Rockford Lake in search for the bird, but sadly, we drew a blank again! On the way there, through the woodland, we watched our first ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in one of the trees. It was still gloomy over the lake and all that was present were small numbers of Tufted Ducks and a pair of Great Crested Grebes on the water. A little later, a pair of drake Goldeneye flew and landed some distance out on the water.
Above, from Rockford Lake, there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, but a pair of Great Crested Grebes were present and below the 'drumming' Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in one of the trees.
Above, one of the two drake Goldeneye's that flew in onto Rockford Lake and below, the pair of Great Crested Grebes swam nearby.
While resting briefly by the new Viewing Screen that overlooked Ivy Lake, I noticed a half built nest in the corner of the roof and thinking it was the remains of a Robin nest, a Wren came in with nesting material in its bill and so we quickly got out of the Viewing Screen for the bird to go on about its business. One of my favourite sightings today.
Blackgutter Bottom:
It was a bit of a gamble due to the poor weather over the heath, but I decided to make Blackgutter Bottom our last site of the day, particularly for Dartford Warbler, which Andy still needed this species for his year list. We took a stroll down to where the Gorse Bushes ended and waited patiently for a bird to either call or appear. It was now very murky over the heath and visibility was rather poor looking south over the heath, though during the 30 minutes or so there, I did hear at least one bird singing, but I simply could not locate the bird in the gloomy conditions. We did see a pair of Stonechats by the Gorse Bushes, but no sightings whatsoever of the Dartfords. So Andy will have to wait a bit longer to grab his first Dartfords for the year. OK, not the result we wanted, but we still got to see two more excellent species for our respective year lists which now stand at 151 species each. News of more summer visitors filtered through throughout the afternoon included a pair of Little Ringed Plovers on Testwood Lakes (and a drake Common Scoter there!) and a House Martin over Farlington Marshes.
