Shorelark found at Hurst Castle.

Sunday 22nd January 2023.

Today's Shorelark by Hurst Castle. Photo by Pete Appleton. 

Though I didn't officially go birding today, Becky and I had to drop off our family down to Lee-on-Solent this morning for one little girl’s Birthday party. On the way back, I asked to take a drive along the top of Portsdown Hill to make our way to Stansted Garden Centre, near Havant, and look out for any Red-legged Partridges in the neighbouring arable fields. The road along the top of Portsdown Hill was a reliable site for these birds last year, but there were none to be seen today.

Hawfinch at Mercer Way, Romsey. I used to regularly add these to my year list at this site year after year. I now normally see them around the car park by Bolderwood in the New Forest. Photo by Graeme Loader.

Yet again, a very cold night turned into a bright sunny cloudless day, although the temperature still remained into single digits. Two superb Red Kites flew over the Hill, with one individual sailing low over our car as we made our way eastbound. Three Common Buzzards were seen earlier today along the M27 and a male Kestrel was also seen perched on some bushes on Portsdown Hill. Always a good raptor spot here on Portsdown Hill.

Another photo of the Hawfinch at Mercer Way. Photo by Graeme Loader.

I had a nice afternoon with my wife this afternoon and a cracking lunch within the Garden Centre and watched some of the bird sightings coming in on my mobile via the ‘Lazee’s’ and Bird Guides. A Shorelark had been found today at Hurst Castle which sent the ’toggers’ and some of the ‘Lazee’s’ scurrying westbound for a very good Hants ‘tick’. Becky and I drove down the Eastern Road on the way home and looking east, I could already see a large gathering of Birders and Photographers gathering around the Point Field at Farlington Marshes, waiting for the Short-eared Owls to show. Fortunately for them, they did with two birds performing to the crowds, while on the same reserve, there was the Geese trio of Russian White-fronted Geese, Black Brant and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose.

A superb Lesser Redpoll at Fishlake Meadows, Romsey. Photo by Graeme Loader.

The 4 Glossy Ibis were seen again from the Canal Path, Titchfield and the Great Grey Shrike was seen again at Bishops Dyke, New Forest. There was a very showy Bittern on Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes today along with a Black-necked Grebe. I wonder what rare Gulls were in the roost there tonight?  

Four more species added to the year list.

Saturday 21st January 2022.

The view of Black Point at Hayling Island from Sparke's Marina.

Not a bad day's birding as both Andy and myself notched up FOUR more ‘year-ticks’ and a few quality birds among them too. The weather was kind to us though it was very cold throughout the day where temperatures only reached about 4 degrees at best and that was not counting the wind-chill from the north-east. However, it was bright and sunny, though very icy in places as we made our way down to Hayling Island to kick off with Sparke's Marina first of all.

Above, a Redshank from Sparke's Marina and below, a flock of Oystercatchers looking to settle over Black Point.

A female Long-tailed Duck had been reported several times by local birder Andy Johnson off Black Point, notably around the yellow buoys, but there was no sign of the bird, with just a few Great Crested Grebes and up to four Cormorants seen, plus at least four Sandwich Terns seen in the harbour. High tide was around 11am and we were hoping for a few waders around Black Point, but there were few and far between as a couple of ‘swimmers’ were so close to the roosting island that the island was near void of birds. After those idiots and a couple walking their dogs had departed, a flock of Oystercatchers and Sanderling eventually landed on the end of Black Point. Sadly, this area is prone to disturbance despite the warning signs around the area of Black Point.

Above, one of two Razorbills seen this morning in the harbour entrance. Below, Oystercatchers settling down among a flock of Sanderling on Black Point. 

Our next stop was to be Sandy Point where we would view from the Lifeboat Station. The pathway leading to the harbour entrance held a couple of Goldcrest and a few Wood Pigeons, but little else as we made our way to the Lifeboat Station for a good look of the harbour and also to take in a nice cup of hot drink from our respective flasks. Within a few minutes apart, we had our first ‘year-ticks’ in the bag when I spotted first a Red-throated Diver and then a Razorbill, with the latter bird joined by a second individual. The Diver was busy feeding and in search of prey below the surface, while both the Auks drifted southbound out into the harbour entrance. A Merganser flew out to sea as did a pair of Great Crested Grebes.

Above and below, the female type Black Redstart by the nature reserve at Sandy Point.

Well pleased with the two new birds added to our year list, I suggested checking the houses on the seafront at Eastoke for the Black Redstart that was seen there earlier in the week. Parking up, we made our way to the houses and walked eastbound up to the edge of Sandy Point Nature Reserve. Waiting patiently, we clocked a male Stonechat by the brambles and then I clocked an interesting passerine that flew from one of the houses and promptly landed in a bush. We were in luck as it  was the female Black Redstart, which showed well for us for the next ten minutes or so, busy searching for insects on the ground and shivering that superb crimson tail.  

Two more photos of the female type Black Redstart by the Housing estate.

Making our way back to the car, I quickly checked the flat sea and picked out a flock of 3 Red-throated Divers flying east high over the sea. I know that Selsey Bill had quite a few going through, so I wasn't really surprised that some were moving over the Solent. Our next stop was to be Southmoor for the Long-tailed Duck, that was seen this morning as well as the Sabine’s Gull.

The last two photos of the Black Redstart (promise), but it was a lovely bird and showed relatively well.

As expected, the car park at Southmoor was packed with many birders on their way to get a sighting of the showy Sabine’s Gull. I found out that a Firecrest had been seen yesterday while I was there and I remember seeing several guys checking out the Bushes and trees by the car park too. Now I know what they were looking at. Bugger! Never mind, we had a Long-tailed Duck to find and so setting up the scope, we joined several other birders also looking for the bird. To cut a long story short, so fella said that the bird had been seen near the boats to the west of where we were ten minutes before our arrival, but despite a lengthy search, all I could find were two pairs of Goldeneye, around 6 Great Crested Grebes and 8 Little Grebes. I was nearly going to give up after 30 minutes (though we did see a female Sparrowhawk dive into the nearby brambles, though whether it caught anything is anyone's guess. This was our second raptor of the day after seeing a Common Buzzard perched on a lamp post while driving south down through Hayling Island earlier this morning) until I spotted a small duck.

Up to 5 Avocets seen from Northney on the receding tide.

This got my attention as it was swimming among a group of Herring Gull and a pair of Goldeneye. Even three Great Crested Grebes came into the group so there was obviously fish below the surface to attract these birds. Then the small duck popped up again briefly, but there was no mistaking it as the Long-tailed Duck, which was our fourth ‘year-tick’ of the year. I quickly got Andy onto the bird as well as the nearby birders and I was pleased that everyone got onto the duck that was only up on the surface for a few seconds or so. I was more than happy with viewing the Sabine’s Gull yesterday and so took a walk around the Budds Farm area to see if the Firecrest would reappear, but no sign. 

This Greenshank was one of two seen from the bench at Northney.

Our last port of call today was Northney where we parked up in a lay by, just short of the Langstone Hotel, for a possible Golden Plover or Knot to add to our year list. Sadly, none of them were seen, but to sit on the bench overlooking the harbour looking north was so relaxing. The tide was ebbing and exposing the mudflats, which in turn attracted a lot of waders. A couple of Greenshanks showed extremely well and up to 5 Avocets were counted on the shoreline. Large numbers of Dunlin were busy feeding on the mud, intermingled with Redshank, Curlew and a few Grey Plover, while out in the harbour, several pairs of Red-breasted Mergansers were swimming on the water. 

Above, the Greenshank that was showing well near the bench and below, good numbers of Dunlin were busy feeding on the mudflats.

It was so relaxing sitting there enjoying the wader spectacle, I had to check my mobile to see what the time was and as it was nearing 2pm, I decided to call it a day, again reflecting on another good days birding. We had a good chat with Andy Johnson while at the Lifeboat Station, who was on his way to the Shetlands to live today! He did tell us that he was so disappointed in all the disturbance that was going on around Hayling Island and he was so looking forward to making the long trip north. Hope all goes well for you, Andy.

My second bite of the Sabine's.

Friday 20th January 2023.

The female Siskin by the Bridge Street Car Park this morning.

I was going to make my way to Southmoor this morning to see if I could find the Long-tailed Duck in the northern half of the harbour, but I got a report on my phone that a Yellow-browed Warbler had been found behind the car park on the Bridge Street Flood end of Titchfield. So grabbing my birding gear I ventured out into the icy cold again to see if I could get to see this little gem.

Above, the female Kestrel perched on an overhead wire. Below, a male Chaffinch sunning itself in the winter sunshine.

I was lucky to get the only available parking spot within the tiny car park here at Bridge Street and so donning all my gear, I was just about to make my way behind the car park when a female Siskin flew low over my head and landed in a nearby Silver Birch tree. Thankfully, it remained there long enough for me to grab a photo or two (see photo). There was a frozen pathway heading east behind the car park and I was soon joined by a couple of other birders also after the YBW. Waiting patiently, there were sightings of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Goldcrest, both Blue and Great Tit and even a Redwing was picked up high in the trees; but there was no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler.

Above, a female Stonechat near the main footpath and below, the Barn Owl in the 'split tree'. If you look closely, you can just make out a second bird to the left of the Owl.

The two guys I was with wandered off and so I decided to make my way down the Canal Path. I was hoping the YBW was going to be vocal, but there was no sign of the bird whatsoever, which was disappointing. Walking down to the area adjacent to the ‘Split tree’, I could see the Barn Owl in its usual hole, but it wasn't till I noticed in my photos that there were two Owls within the tree! Out in the fields looking towards the floods, there must have been at least a dozen or so Pied Wagtails seen near the small Copse, searching for food in the iced-over field along with several Meadow Pipits. A pair of Stonechats were also close by, the female bird was much closer.

Above, both Common Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit were feeding together with the Black-headed and Herring Gulls on the main pool at the Bridge Street Floods. Below, a buck Roe Deer grazing in the field near the 'Split tree'.

A female Kestrel flew in, scattering all the passerines on the ground, then landed on the overhead wires and stayed there for some time. I checked the floods thoroughly for anything of note, where I picked up a lone Common Snipe feeding with a Black-tailed Godwit near the main flood. Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Pintail were swimming on the main flood and a few Canada Geese were also in attendance. I could not find anything interesting among the many Black-headed Gulls and so moved on slightly where there was a fallen tree. From here, I could hear the scolding call of a Cetti’s Warbler. As I have not seen one this year yet, I stood my ground and waited patiently for the bird to show and eventually, it popped out nicely on the nearby fence until flying off quickly to the Canal side and out of view.

Above, my first Cetti's Warbler of the year finally showed and below, this one of two Chiffchaffs feeding together near the car park.

Checking my watch, I really fancied going for the Long-tailed Duck at Southmoor and so made my way slowly back to the car, but not before having another quick look at the sleepy Barn Owl. Back near the car park, a few more birders had turned up for a sighting of the Yellow-browed Warbler, including one of the chaps I was with earlier, but there still was no sign. A couple of Chiffchaffs showed well low down in the Willows on the Canal, but not the star bird. So, I got back in the car and headed off back east.

Above, the Sabine's Gull putting on a nice show for the Birders & photographers present this morning.

I was half expecting the car park at Southmoor to be ‘full to the brim’ but there were a few spaces available. The adult Sabine’s Gull was spending yet another day here on the floods and attracting its many admirers, yet I was here for the Long-tailed Duck. However, despite a good search for around 20 minutes on a high tide, there was no sign of the duck whatsoever. At least two pairs of Goldeneye, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Little Grebes and all the usual wildfowl were present, though I did pick up two Black-necked Grebes swimming not too far away from the Oyster Beds. Another birder joined me and I asked him if the Sabine’s Gull was still showing well. He said it was and so, seeing it was such a beautiful sunny day, I thought I would give it another look at this charismatic Gull.

Please forgive me for all the photos of the Sabine’s Gull, but I remember reading someone wrote that this has to be the most beautiful Gull they had ever seen! There was simply no argument, for it was gorgeous and in this light, what a stunning bird it was and so I joined the dozen or so birders present. The gull was actually so close that it was flying over birders heads as if they were not there, giving some of those present views down to around 20 feet! Occasionally, the Gull took flight, flashing off those gorgeous tri-coloured wings then settling briefly on the harbour and then returning to the same area. Though I only spent around 15 minutes there, I was conscious of the time and so I made my way back to the car to reflect on another lovely couple of hours birding.

When I got home, I got the news that the Yellow-browed Warbler had reappeared back at the Bridge Street Car Park, though behind the car park on a different footpath. Though not vocal, the bird was keeping quite low and a few guys got some superb photos of the bird. They are normally quite easy to pick up when they are calling, but when they are not, then it's just pure luck if you see them. Just to rub salt in the wound, the Long-tailed Duck was seen off Southmoor around 3pm this afternoon. I think the phrase rhymes with Clucking Bell!!!!!   

I can now see why so many photos have been published on various blogs and sites of this beautiful Gull. Photographers have been going back for seconds and thirds of this bird and who can blame them. 

    

Short-eared Owls on Farlington Marshes.

Wednesday 18th January 2023.

The Short-eared Owl at Farlington Marshes. Photo by Graeme Loader.

Tonight, I thought I would like to share with all my readers around the world (honestly!) some of the photos I am privileged to be allowed to share on my Blog; notably the superb Short-eared Owls on Farlington Marshes.Though my birding companion, Andy Fisher has already had the pleasure in seeing the birds, I have yet to see one this year, though I will hopefully pop down to the reserve to view these fantastic birds.

The Short-eared Owls at Farlington Marshes. Photos by Graeme Loader.

I would like to thank both Pete Appleton and Graeme Loader for the superb images of these majestic Owls that have also attracted many a ‘togger’ in ‘Lazee Birder’ speak (photographer) most days to this site. The Social Media has been swamped by some amazing images of these birds and what with the nearby Sabine’s Gull at Southmoor still present; Hampshire is certainly going through a real ‘purple patch’. But we are, as a County, blessed with some fantastic birders and I am so glad to live in such a rewarding area that attracts some special birds. 

The Short-eared Owl on Farlington Marshes. Photos by Pete Appleton.

Anyway, enjoy the following photos. I am sure there will be more to come.