Cattle Egret, Bittern and Bearded Tits........

31st December 2007

The last day of 2007 and my last chance to add some birds to my year list, so we headed to Blashford, where we had heard there was a Bittern in the reeds outside Ivy Lake, North Hide, and a Cattle Egret near North End Farm, a couple of miles from Blashford.

We went in search of the Cattle Egret first, and by the time we arrived at North End Farm we had already seen four Buzzards, one Kestrel and a Peregrine......not bad considering it was just after 9am on a cold, cloudy, December morning.

The Cattle Egret was easy to find, it was sitting in the field opposite the farm and we had good views of it, before it flew off over the farm. Now it was time to head back to Blashford to look for the Bittern.


cattle egret

I had decided that even if it took a few hours I would stay until I had seen the Bittern. Well, luck was definitely on our side to-day, as we were only in the Ivy Lake, North Hide for about five minutes when another birder located the Bittern. He then very kindly showed me where it was and he set our scope up, so everyone had good views. I must admit I don't think we would have found the Bittern ourselves, as it was so well camouflaged.

The Great White Egret was showing well on Ibsley Water and with a Grey Heron and Little Egret at Blashford there were five heron species altogether........not bad at all.

We were thinking of going home, but as luck seemed to be on our side we decided to go to Farlington Marshes in search of some Bearded Tits, a bird I have wanted to see for a long time. To tell the truth, I hadn't been able to get out birding all over Christmas so I wanted to make the most of to-day!!!

It must have been 12.30ish, when we arrived at Farlington Marshes and we headed straight to the reed beds. I was looking at some teal ducks through the scope when I noticed some movement in the reeds. I couldn't believe it........Bearded Tits and lots of them!!!!!!


bearded tit - sorry the pic isn't very good......

They were at the back of the reeds at first, and we could only see them in the scope, but they gradually moved closer to us. Wonderful little birds to watch, we reckon there were 20-25 of them, and we did watch them for almost an hour. By then we were freezing cold and in need of a nice hot drink, but with three lifers to add to my year list, what a perfect end to my birding year.................

154. cattle egret
155. bittern
156. bearded tit

Season's Greetings.......

Christmas Day 2007



Happy Christmas to my family, friends and fellow birders

Best wishes

Eve.

Barn Owl again......

Saturday 22nd December 2007

I was able to lighten the background of the photos of the Barn Owl, and even though they aren't that good, I've decided to put them up.





Smashing bird..... hope I get to see it again next week......

Barn Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker + Brambling.......

Friday 21st December 2007

I've just had the most brilliant time in Stockbridge and the surrounding areas today.

The idea was to try and find some Grey legged Partridges, but on the way, I saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes, I have wanted to see one for the past eighteen months, I was delighted.

Later on, driving down a country lane, I flushed lots of small birds from the trees and the verges. I stopped the car to see if there were any Brambling amongst them........and yes, there were quite a few. Unfortunately the light was very bad today and the photos were only silhouettes of the birds, so not much good.

We saw lots of birds, but no sign of the Partridges, so we decided to call it a day and go to Stockbridge for a cuppa. I was driving up the main street looking for somewhere to park, when I noticed lots of starlings overhead.



I turned into Longstock Road and pulled into the layby beside the River Test, where we sat and watched the starlings.........a couple of thousand of them. I was just thinking what an enjoyable day it had been, when I noticed something in the field next to the layby..........a Barn Owl!!!!!!!!!!! I grabbed the camera and jumped out of the car. It was only 4:15 and there was still some daylight left, though not much. An elderly man came over to see what we were looking at, and then a police car pulled up to see what was going on...........



It really was quite something, with a couple of thousand starlings flying over us and the barn owl flying in the field next to us. I guess it was there for fifteen minutes or so and when it went out of sight, I looked up to see the starlings, but they had all gone as well.

On the down side, the photos I took are very disappointing. There was only one I considered posting on the blog, but even it was mostly black and the barn owl was hardly noticeable. I'm going to try and get back to Stockbridge sometime next week, so lets hope I get to see that Owl again..........

151. lesser spotted woodpecker
152. brambling
153. barn owl

150 Birds..........

Monday 17th December 2007

At the beginning of the year I set myself a target of one hundred and fifty birds to see, anywhere in the UK. I am very pleased to say I have reached my target :-)

My 150th bird was a Red-necked Grebe on Anglesey Lake in Gosport yesterday - a lifer for me.
I took a few photos, but it just wasn't close enough.

I must admit I am a wee bit disappointed that I haven't seen any owls this year. Mind you there are still two weeks left until the end of the year, so I'm going to try my best to add at least one owl to my list.......

150. Red-necked Grebe

New Garden Birds.....

Sunday 16th December 2007


my garden robin....

I didn't get out birding last weekend but I did spend time watching birds in my back garden and I'm pleased to say I have five new garden birds.....

blackcap (male)
long-tailed tit
greenfinch
chaffinch
raven (flew over)

On top of that my goldfinch numbers have gone up from seven to thirteen!!!!!

I also saw a great spotted woodpecker in the tree at the back of our house so fingers crossed he pays us a visit soon......


one of three blue tits I have in my garden...

Great White Egret......

Saturday 1st December 2007


chaffinch

I had such a great time at Blashford Lakes this morning. We arrived just after 9am, the sun was shining and the wood beside the visitor centre was just as I like it...... full of birds, including:


nuthatch
siskins
mistle thrush
green woodpecker (2)
great spotted woody (2)
buzzards (3)
long tailed tits
chiffchaff
goldfinches plus all the other usual tits, finches, wrens, robins and blackbirds.


fungi

After checking out the three hides we headed across to the area recently opened to the public, with two new bird hides overlooking Ibsley Water. On the walk over I saw this Peacock butterfly - not bad considering it's the 1st December.



I have to say I was very impressed with the hides and with Ibsley Water. Blashford is better than ever now and another new hide is due to open sometime soon.

There was lots of activity on the water including....

black necked grebe
goosander
tufted duck
goldeneye
gadwall
shoveler
teal
wigeon
pochard
little grebe
great crested grebe



I also have a new bird for my year list after finally locating the Great White Egret on Mockbeggars Lake. That white blob really was a Great White Egret!!

149. Great White Egret

The Sense of a Goose......

When you see geese flying along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Finally ... and this is important ... when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

Author Unknown

Long-tailed Duck

Sunday 25th November 2007


jackdaw

It seemed ages since I'd been out birding, so I was well pleased to get down to Pennington Marshes and Lagoons this morning. Thankfully the weather wasn't too cold and the sun was out which set the scene for a nice walk from Pennington Marshes down to the jetty.

The first birds of note were a large flock of Goldfinches flitting from one side of the lane to the other, landing on the teasels for some food and flying off again. Then a couple of hundred lapwing flew over the lagoon in what I can only describe as an ethereal light - very beautiful.


dunnock

Down at the jetty were fifteen Great Crested Grebes one side and nineteen Red Breasted Mergansers on the other, and not forgetting lots of Turnstones running up and down the jetty itself.

We walked on towards Lymington in search of the Long-tailed ducks seen in the area the day before.
Of course you never know what you will meet along the way..... to-day some cows had decided to go for a walk along the path and I had to stop and say hello to this little calf.



Next we saw a couple of Spotted Redshanks and eventually we found the Long tailed Ducks who spent most of the time diving. I didn't get close enough for photo but I'll post one taken in Arundel. I'm so pleased to have seen them in the wild, which means I can add them to my list.........



148. long-tailed duck

Arundel and Brighton...

Saturday 10th November 2007

We decided to go to Brighton today to see the famous Starling Roost on the seafront.



On the way we called at the Wildfowl + Wetlands Trust in Arundel. Last time we were at the WWT, we were lucky to see a reed warbler feeding a cuckoo. That was s sight to see and definitely one of the highlights of my birding year. Today the highlight for me was the Barrows Goldeneye........such a beautiful looking wee duck.


barrow's goldeneye


red-crested pochard


long-tailed duck


eider

After lunch we headed to Brighton arriving just before 3pm. We went for a walk along the sea front and down past the Brighton Centre. Last time I was at the Brighton Centre was the night we took two of my nephews to a Seal concert........that was a long time ago.

After our walk we made our way back to the RSPB area, where they had a couple of scopes set up to watch the starlings.


what's left of the abandoned West Pier - where the starlings roost.

It wasn't long before a small crowd gathered, everyone eager to see the starlings............we waited and waited................. and nothing much happened!!! Yes, we did see some starlings, a few groups here and there, but not that many, infact I've seen more starlings over the Millbrook Flyover in Southampton!!!! It was a wee bit of a disappointment to say the least........... better luck next time maybe??


Brighton sunset.....

Birthday......

Wednesday 7th November 2007

It's my birthday today and we went birding in Keyhaven again!!


Mallard

Weather wise it was totally different to Sunday, much colder and cloudier. Pretty much the same birds as on Sunday....except I noticed a couple of pintail which I had missed then. I also saw a Peregrine in a dead tree close to the Solent, and watched it for ten minutes or so before it flew off. Saw some Great Crested Grebes but no Black-necked.

After lunch we headed to Eyeworth Pond to see the Mandarin Ducks. Here are a couple of pics....





There were also lots of woodland birds.....fallow deer, ponies and not forgetting the pigs who decided to join us at the pond!!

All in all a good day out.....

Keyhaven - Pennington

Sunday 4th November 2007

The sun was shining as we drove to Keyhaven, stopping at the bakery shop near Beaulieu, to buy something for lunch. The lady in the shop noticed my accent and was telling me how much she enjoys Ulster Frys and Irish stew!! Her favourite soda farls come from Irwins bakery, in my home town. Made me remember back to when my Mum used to buy us cream cookies from Irwins.....they were to die for. I wonder if they still make them and if they taste as good as they did back then??


brent goose

We arrived in Keyhaven at midday and began our walk along the sea wall to Pennington. A cettis warbler was heard near the reeds by the free carpark, I often hear one in that spot.

I do love Keyhaven, especially at this time of the year with the brent geese, teal, wigeon and shoveller on the lagoons. There were some golden plovers on Keyhaven Lagoon - a new bird for me.


shoveller duck

Down at the jetty we met Steve, a very nice, helpful, birder. He pointed out an eider, a couple of black-necked grebes, an early female goldeneye and some red breasted mergansers on the Solent. We also met a nice couple from Wokingham who suggested some places to see Bitterns if we were ever in Berkshire. Next time we’re up that way we'll have a look.


coot

I’m not surprised we spend so much time at Keyhaven.......lovely scenery, lots of birds and very helpful birders.....definitely my favourite place to go birding.

146. golden plover
147. black-necked grebe

Blackwater Arboretum

Saturday 13th October 2007



Having spent quite a bit of time at Keyhaven lately, it was time for a change, so we headed to Blackwater Arboretum in the New Forest. To tell you the truth I was missing the woodland birds, and the Arboretum is always beautiful this time of year.



The trees looked magnificent in their autumn colours and so alive with little birds. I hadn't seen a goldcrest for months, but here they just kept appearing all over the place. Other birds seen were, coal tits, long-tailed tits, treecreeper, nuthatch, blue tits, great tits, wrens, robins, blackbird, chaffinch and a great spotted woodpecker.
Didn't see any hawfinches, so will have to pop back again in a couple of weeks time.......

October Sunshine

Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th October 2007

I spent most of the weekend at Keyhaven and Milford-on-Sea. The weather was absolutely fabulous for October.... dry, sunny and pleasantly warm and the autumn colours were stunning.


Autumn colours - Keyhaven

It was nice to see some ducks back on the lagoons......wigeon, teal, shoveler, also a little grebe, lots of black-tailed godwits and a few little stint.


teal duck hiding in reeds


little grebe also known as dabchick


small copper



sunday walkers at Milford-on-Sea


black-headed gull

Blashford Lakes

Sunday 30th September 2007

It was a beautiful Autumn day so we decided to go to Blashford Lakes to look for the Great White Egret which has been visiting the area.



I was only there five minutes when I found myself in the woodland hide - a favourite place of mine. I have mentioned it before, such a magical place. From the window I could see rabbits, squirrels, pheasants and lots of birds ........green finches, chaffinches, blue tits, great tits, nuthatches, treecreeper, robin, blackbird and green and great spotted woodpeckers.



My dream is to be there one morning at the dawn chorus - all those sacred sounds together - pure bliss..............

By the way I didn’t see the Great White this time .........

Autumn Equinox

Sunday 23rd September 2007


It's that time of year again - the Autumn Equinox - when day and night are of equal duration before the descent into increasing darkness. Now the balance of the year has changed, the wheel has turned and sadly summer is over.

Last Autumn was my first one as a birder and it really changed things for me. Instead of dreading the darker days coming, I now had lots of birds to go out and see.
The Brent Geese coming back for the winter, the Great Northern and Red Throated Divers on Southampton Water, that pesky Great Grey Shrike to look for and with the leaves off the trees a chance to see a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker!!

Then of course there are all the little birds at the feeders at Blashford - definitely worth going out for, whatever the weather.



Our garden has been bird free for a month or so but last week a little robin appeared and has decided to stay, so already things are looking up!

I hope you enjoy the Autumn Equinox wherever you are.

Happy Days.........

Saturday 22nd September 2007


dunlin on calshot beach


Well, what can I say? I have just had the most fantastic time birding in Hampshire, Dorset and West Sussex. I have seen lots of beautiful birds and walked along various stretches of the southern coastline, on mainly dry sunny days. I have met some of the nicest people you could hope to meet but above all I have been at peace with myself and the world at large...........Happy Days indeed!


blacktailed godwit over keyhaven lagoon


Here are the new birds for my year list.....

136. eider ducks........... keyhaven-pennington 08/09/07

137. spotted crake......... farlington marshes 11/09/07
138. whinchat.............. farlington marshes 11/09/07


peacock

139. snipe................. pulborough brooks 12/09/07
140. pectoral sandpiper...... pulborough brooks 12/09/07

141. green sandpiper....... blashford lakes 14/09/07

142 sanderling............. portland (ferrybridge) 15/09/07

143 merlin................ farlington marshes 16/09/07

144. little stints........ lymington (normandy lagoon) 17/09/07



145. spoonbills.......... titchfield haven 19/09/07