Martin Down NNR

Had an early morning visit to this chalk downland reserve west of Fordingbridge today. A bracing northerly wind kept things cold and fairly quiet, but I still managed to catch up with some specialist species.

Many singing Yellowhammers braved the breeze. In the sheltered spots, Blackcaps and Whitethroats chirped away. I also heard the rattle of 3 Lesser Whitethroats across the reserve but only had fleeting glimpses of this notorious skulker.

A couple of Buzzards and a Kestrel hovered high up and the song of Skylarks was a constant companion throughout the morning. A male cuckoo called and eventually showed, as did a very angry Yaffle, but the best was saved till last.

Driving out of the reserve with the window down I heard the unmistakeable purr of a Turtle Dove. Managed a quick view of it before being beeped at by oncoming traffic. Never mind. Just good to see that the Doves are still holding on here.

I stopped off at Blashford Lakes on the way back to Nomansland. Hundreds of hirundines and Swifts over a very choppy Ibsley Water, the usual Ducks and Grebes on the water, and Goosanders, Common Terns, Lapwings, Redshanks and Little Ringed Plovers on the shingle.

Woodland Hide provided the usual close up views of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, G.S. Woodpecker, Siskin etc.

Plenty of Stonechats, Mistle Thrushes and Wheatears driving back over the forest. Beats a Monday at work, that's for sure!