The Big Day

Xander only arrived from France late last night but we still managed a hectic birding schedule taking in some of the best sites the New Forest has to offer.

Things kicked off at dawn with Rory McGrath (Bearded Tit) at Pennington Marshes and finished with Nightjars at Fritham Plain.

In between were plenty of highlights, the pick of which were Long-tailed Duck and Avocets on Keyhaven Lagoon, nesting LRPs and GSWs at Blashford, Turtle Doves at Martin Down and Redstarts and Wood Warblers around Nomansland.

Full species list:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron,
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose
Shelduck, Mandarin, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck,
Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk,
Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant,
Coot, Moorhen,
Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew,
Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great black-backed Gull, Herring Gull,
Common Tern, Little Tern
Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Feral Pigeon, Turtle Dove
Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit,
Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Redstart, Stonechat,
Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird,
Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Wood Warbler,
Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Bearded Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper,
Magpie, Jay, Rook, Jackdaw, Raven, Carrion Crow,
Starling, House Sparrow,
Chaffinch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet,
Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Nightjar

A huge 95 species seen. Birds heard only were Goldcrest, Crossbill, Tawny Owl, Lesser Whitethroat.

Also saw Roe and Fallow Deer to cap off a massive effort. Pictures to follow!

Grey Wags

This is a Grey Wagtail family from Franchises Wood. The two adults were making a big fuss and I realised why as the recently fledged juv. burst out from under my feet. I could sense things were about to kick off, so I got out of there fast.

Juvenile


Adult Male


Adult Female

Cetti

Had a bash around Fishlake Meadows at dusk this evening. There were more singing Cetti's and Reed Warblers than you could shake a stick at. Fair play given the cold winter. I had at least a dozen singing Cetti's. This is the best site I know for a bird which is gradually creeping northwards.

Plenty of Cuckoo activity to. Not surprising given the big supply of Reed Warbler nests to parasitise. These weren't the target species, though.



Neither was this gang of drake Mallards.

Or this 'some kind of goat'.



It was the gropper I was after. Fishlake offers perfect habitat for this skulker, but on this occasion, I didn't manage to catch sight nor sound of it. There's a few other places I might try locally. Birding would be too easy if you always saw what you were after anyway.

I had a hobby fly over in the dying light to end a pleasant evening walk.

Birding, biking and blogging

First post from Hiley Senior to the blog. I might be a city-slicker, but I can still teach those two youngsters how to pick out a Firecrest in a pine forest or bag a Gropper from 100-yards.

Glad I got in on the act in Turkey, after flip-flapping about whether sitting at a desk was better than cruising the Goksu Delta in 30C sunshine......erm......

Been doing a bit of birding around SW London, quite an under-watched area it seems. I very rarely come across another birder on my travels, and usually get a few funny looks from the yummy mummy brigade as they speed past in their Chelsea Tractors at 12mph in the traffic, utterly oblivious to the wealth of wildlife happening around them.

On my regular bike ride from Clapham to Hammersmith along the Thames path I have found breeding Grey Wagtail and Blackcap. All the commoner passerines occur in big numbers along the river; Great/Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Song/Mistle, Blackbird, Starling, Greeny/Goldy/Chaffinch. There's still a small House Martin colony around Putney Bridge, but the old colony off Clapham Common Southside seems to have disappeared for good. Happily, the Swift colony returned to the Trade Union building outside my house last week in Clapham Old Town, appears to be 3-4 pairs only compared to 5-6 last year but good to have the screechers for company again.

A nice male Pintail at Wandsworth was a Brucey Bonus on Monday, maybe delaying his return migration till after the boat race? A couple of Redshank at low-tide on the river in Hammersmith and 3 Stock Dove in playing fields at Barnes were other highlights.

I dropped into Wimbledon Common during last week's raptor passage and bagged a distant Honey Buzz (easily Bird of the Week), nice views of Hobby, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. The woodlands were full of GS Woodpecker and angry Yaffle + a couple of Whitethroat pairs away from the main paths. Heard there was a Turtle Dove bashing around but couldn't locate it.

Next on London target is Black Redstart, apparently fewer breeding pairs in the UK than Golden Eagle. Got a couple of potential spots in Wandsworth and Castlenau, think it is only a matter of time.

Will post a few photos up on here soon.

Franchises Wood

I had a few walks through Franchises Wood in the winter and found it a bit devoid of bird life. This isn't the case at the moment. I ran through there this evening and the wildlife was of such quality that i was soon regretting not bringing bins and camera.

There were Kestrels and Cuckoos on the edge of the wood, a superb singing Grey Wagtail and the biggest concentration of butterflies I've seen yet this year. I heard and subsequently saw a group of 4 Crossbills fly overhead and then refound the 2 singing Wood Warblers I'd noticed yesterday. A dozen Fallow Deer and another Wood Warbler later, I emerged out of the wood and returned to Nomansland via Bramshaw Wood where a Marsh Tit and a very angry Green Woodpecker escorted me home.

Fire and brimstone

Bashed out a big 14 mile run in the Sun this afternoon, taking me over FranchisesWood, Islands Thorns Enclosure and Holly Hatch Enclosure. I wasn't birding, but still heard 5 Wood Warblers over the course of the run. Also, the usual - Redstarts, Blackcaps and Garden Warbler amongst the more common fare.

Had a cuckoo over the horse paddocks at The Gate House this afternoon. We've got a pair of Swallows nesting in the Stables, and there were plenty of Brimstones in the garden today.

Nightjar Run

A perfect evening for Nightjars last night so I ran across Fritham Plain with my camera hoping to catch up with them again. The Forest was still alive with bird song at quarter past nine with Cuckoo and Dartford Warbler being the pick of the dusk chorus. There was also just enough light for me to pick out a Woodlark on the heath only a dozen yards from the track.

I reached the spot where I had heard a Nightjar churring in a few nights ago, and didn't have to wait too long. I picked out a ghostly shape in the distance heading straight towards me. The bird flew within a couple of metres of me - perhaps just checking me out, or perhaps mistaking my pale arms for the display of another male Nightjar? Either way, I wasn't complaining after great views of an elusive bird. After 5 minutes of quiet, I then heard the classic churring of a nearby Nightjar. Managed to glimpse the silhouette of a bird on a dead branch and catch a bit of video before it flew off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnoZtKQ31S8

As I ran back, I heard at least 2 more birds churring, and got reasonable views of another. They should be still around for the X-man's visit next week. Check out the video compilation of sights and sounds!

Strange Sounds of the Night

Fritham Plain is only a few miles from Nomansland so I've headed there a few times for evening runs. On previous times it had been cold and windy, but yesterday at dusk, it was warm and still, excellent conditions for certain crepuscular heathland birds.

I parked by the Oak and headed onto the Plain at about 9 p.m., greeted by a dusk chorus of Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Robins and a Redstart. When the Sun went down, though, it was a stranger chorus alltogether. First the bubbling call of a Curlew, a few pairs of which breed on the bogland in these parts. Then a bizarre 'drumming', which signalled the presence of some displaying Snipe, another breeding wader.

I'd about given up on the true target species, though, when i heard a very faint churring sound.
My imagination? No, there it was again. A quick scramble across some heather and there it was agian, but louder this time, and now unmistakeable. Nightjar. The goat sucker. The last time I'd encountered this species was in the Cevennes many years ago, and that memory has almost faded. I crept across the heather towards the constant churring, and was rewarded, as in the dying light, the bird's silhouette appeared above the skyline. In the few seconds it was in view, it gave a wing-clapping display and then dropped away and began churring somewhere else.

The goat sucker is a summer visitor and another New Forest speciality, the old name deriving from an old belief that they sucked Goat's milk at night. A very mysterious bird, I'll hopefully get a few more chances to catch up with them this spring.

Sailly Bray 19th May 2010

With a nice sunny day in prospect I made a dawn start at my favourite spring-time spot - Sailly Bray and the Baie de Somme. I knew that this would be my last proper day's birding before heading to the UK at the end of the month so I was more than keen to make the most of it. My mission - "Bag the Bluethroat"! Having dipped a fortnight ago I was eager to nail it this time round.

Arriving at about 6:45am I was met by the usual singing Sedge Warblers. The rising sun gave nice ambient light and the birds were more obliging at this time of day.

I added many of the area's commoner species: Blackcap, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer... This Shelduck trio flew around warily. This area is heavily shot over in autumn. They eventually settled on one of the pools.

Without further ado I headed to the same spot where I'd had glimpses of Bluethroat last year. No immediate signs although plenty of activity. A Cetti's warbler called loudly but never showed as did a Grasshopper Warbler. I had pairs of Reed and Sedge Warblers and decent views of this male Reed Bunting.

This water vole basked in the morning sun before spotting me and scarpering into the reeds.

A strange clicking sound coming from dense in the undergrowth led me to put in some serious stalking in hope of finding the culprit... At least half an hour after, bingo! I spotted this female Bluethroat skulking at the foot of a hawthorn bush. I only got a fleeting view but was well happy with the start to the day.

Hungry for more I set off to another known Bluethroat site. However this included crossing a marsh where a herd of Highland Cattle were busy grazing. Not undeterred I set about reaching a patch of scrub about 100 metres away. As I got closer the previously harmless-looking cows started to look altogether less harmless. They started to make a B-line for me and gathered some pace. Not wanting to stick around I bailed out with an army-style roll under a barbed wire fence. Cows, along with Chavs, angry dogs and honking cars, are one the real scurges of birding...!

Next stop was Crécy Forest, a huge expanse of mature woodland not far from the coast. Reports suggest that Honey Buzzard is regular and there is a chance of Black Woodpecker...

Straight away this Spotted Flycather could be seen flitting around the car park. Not a bad start !

Things got better as this Turtle Dove gave itself away with its cat-like purring coming from the forest canopy. I didn't want to disturb this secretive bird so settled for this distant-view.

The forest was alive with commoner birds including Blackcap, Woodpigeon, Blue and Great Tits and Great-spotted Woodpecker. The seemingly ever-present Garden Warbler showed brilliantly for me. I also got Tree Pipit and heard Wood Warbler.

A stroll around a woodland at this time of year is a real pleasure. In addition to the bird life the forest floor was full of flowers and different butterflies.

After completing a 4km loop I was hungry to get back to the Bray for better views of Bluethroat and other local specialities. Using the car as a hide I managed to get ridiculously close to this Swallow. It posed beautifully as I papped about 30 photos!

Yellow Wagtail is a reliable tick in these parts and today was no exception. Driving slowly around the dykes allowed me to get pretty close.

I was on a roll and things got better when this territorial Sedge Warbler sung busily. I was pretty chuffed with the results...

I parked up next to a patch of reeds that was mentioned in a past trip report as being a good spot. I waited a good hour in hoping that something would show... A hobby flew over but my camera settings were all wrong. Two pairs of Stonechat flitted around. I also had more Sedge Warblers and a few Linnet. My patience eventually paid off. A Bluethroat perched briefly but once again the views were pretty poor.

With half an hour left before I need to set off back home I decided to explore a series of small dykes opposite the Pont de Dien picnic site. The habitat looked good and sure enough a stunning male Bluethroat popped up in front of me ! Get in !

What a great way to end the day. A classic view of a beautiful and scarce bird. With a huge smile I set off home more than happy with a top-quality birding session.

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The Clown

I'm not much of a twitcher, but when I logged onto BirdGuides at work and saw a Hoopoe had been showing well right on my route home, the temptation was too great.

I had a small window between leaving work at 4 and getting back for a Tesco delivery at 5, so headed down to Broomy Plain for with a strict time limit imposed upon me.

Woodford Bottom is yet another lovely spot in the New Forest and as soon as I got out of the car there were Siskins calling in the trees above a small stream.

Fortunately I didn't have to wait long for the Hoopoe. A local pointed me in the right direction and as I was heading across the heath I caught the colourful round wings as it flew right in front of me, before settling down to feed amongst the bracken.

Would have happily watched this fella all day. The Hoopoe is a classic bird of Southern Europe where it is fairly common. They don't usually make it to these shores, though, - the odd ones that do turn up in Britain are known as overshoot migrants and are always a welcome addition to our more regular spring visitors

Nightime Symphony

This time of year is the best to learn different bird's calls and songs. With the mating season in full flow and new arrivals every day, a trip to the local patch can be a real pleasure on the ears !


I had a dusk trip to my favourite spot after work and was spoilt by a selection of my favourite bird songs. The star of the show was Nightingale. At any one moment I could hear at least two birds - their combination of whistles, trills and flutey notes one of the most mysterious and romantic.

Click on "chant" on the following link to have a listen:



http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/rossignol.philomele.html




It was a bit dark for photos but I did manage good views of Great-crested Grebe and this rodent (water vole?) as it gathered foliage to make its nest.




















Next up was Grasshopper Warbler with its relentless reeling as it got darker and darker. Both of these species wil happily call all through the night. Just before sundown the sky was filled with more familiar songs - those of Chaffinch, Blackbird, Cuckoo and Sedge Warbler. Here's what the "Gropper" sounds like:


http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/locustelle.tachetee.html


I half-expected the "drumming" of a Snipe or perhaps the "churring" of a Nightjar but it wasn't to be.


As the moon rose I headed back home thoroughly satisfied with the orchestra of bird song I was lucky enough to hear.

The Spinning Coin

There's some good birding to be had at the moment, let me tell you.

I went for my Sunday morning 'run' armed with bins and camera down from Telegraph Hill into Islands Thorns Enclosure. Running and birding is a great way to enjoy the New Forest wildlife and also get in a bit of exercise. Singing Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the heathland and Blackcaps, Chaffinches, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and a Redstart in the woods. I didn't stop for these. I was brought to a halt ten minutes later, though.

Either someone was spinning a very loud coin nearby, or this was a male Wood Warbler producing one of my favourite sounds of spring. I spent about half an hour watching and listening to him sing constantly, before continuing on www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ragqnQqEc

There was another singing nearby, and whilst watching him, a pair of Cuckoos flew straight over me.

It's a real treat to see Wood Warblers. They're widespread in Europe, but away from the woodlands of Wales, there aren't many reliable places to see them in Britain. Even in the New Forest, they take some finding.

Other news: Little Owl yesterday at Penn Common and a Treecreeper on the garden list

Redstart Ramble

Dragged myself out of bed early this morning for a trek around Fritham. Starting from Pipers Wait, I walked down past Howen Bottom to Eyeworth Pond, then across Fritham Plain to Sloden and Alderhill Enclosure. Finally out onto Hampton Ridge and then back through Amberwood Enclousre. Left at 6 a.m. and didn't see another person till 10.

Thankfully, I did see lots of wildlife. There are Fallow Deer everywhere in the Forest and I saw at least 40 at different points. This group were at Howen Bottom. I soon forgot about the deer when I heard some interesting birdsong from a nearby copse. One culprit was a male Redstart, the first of 16 I managed throughout the morning. There was also the call of my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year.

The air was full of Skylark song, and Willow Warblers could be heard throughout the morning - I lost count after having 20 or so in the first hour. Eyeworth Pond had 5 male Mandarins and a Wood Duck amongst the commoner stuff.

I stopped for a magnificent showy Dartford Warbler on Fritham Plain and whilst watching it, picked up a pair of Cuckoos and a singing Tree Pipit. A few pairs of Stonechat and a dozen Linnet also on the edge of Sloden Enclosure. Inside the Enclosure, the Redstarts were piling up and I also picked up Yaffle, Great Spot, Goldcrests, a Grey Wagtail, another Spotted Fly and a fine male Siskin.

A single Garden Warbler and lots of Blackcaps on my way back over Hampton Ridge, and back home for 10.30. Not a bad mornings work.

A right lark

One of the best things about living in the New Forest is the drive to and from work. I see excellent birds everyday, but the addition of a couple of Woodlarks to my 'drive home from work list' was an absolute Brucey Bonus.

Not a great picture, but shows the benefit of keeping bins and camera fairly handy in the car. I saw these birds feeding roadside near Pipers Wait, Nomansland. I stopped and checked them out through the back window before pulling off the classic birders reverse and snap. Also a couple of Mistle Thrushes thrown in for good measure.

3 singing Redstarts in Bramshaw Wood this evening, as well as the regular Yaffles, Great Spots, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers Hopefully, the weather will hold for this weekend so I can get out and about properly.

Peewit Plover

The early morning drive to work took longer than usual as I stopped to admire this very obliging Peewit by the side of the road on Stoney Cross. Lots of Greenfinch, a few Linnets and 2 pairs of Stonechat all showed well in the early morning sun.

A few good birds OOA yesterday including Nightingales, Hobbies and Lesser Whitethroats, but more to come on them.

Also plenty of Orange Tips out now and a few Holly Blues.

Gropper comes a cropper !

An early start yesterday to the "Montagne de Montenoy" 20km or so south of Amiens. At this site last year I had great views of a family of Melodious Warbler, Turtle Dove and Hen Harrier. Eager to see a similar selection I was immediately brought back down to earth by a layer of fog allowing views of no more 20 metres ! Not much showing early doors, the highlight "some sort of orchid" and a few stonechat.

The fog eventually cleared up to give me good views of Tree Pipit and Yellowhammer. Warblers included Whitethroat, Blackcap and the target bird - Melodious Warbler. Rubbish views but same place as last year and distinctive call.

With Melodious in the bag I headed to a nice little reserve just outside of Amiens. An early exchange with a bird-ringer got me pretty excited - he'd had a couple of Bluethroat, Grasshopper and Savi's Warbler ! It wasn't long before I was into Garden Warbler, Reed Bunting, Cuckoo, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Nightingales sung almost constantly but never showed. I then heard the classic reeling of Grasshopper Warbler coming from deep within the scrub! Not patient enough to wait for it to show I decided to do some stalking through the marshes only to struck by some severe "trenchfoot" - another classic birding ailment! The blighter did eventually show and I managed the following pic as proof. Not much but nice to get at least some half-decent views of the little skulker.

To finish I eventually managed to pin down a singing Nightingale and heard a Golden Oriole singing in what I had previously remarked on as being perfect habitat. Locate the golden O - maybe my next challenge !

Warbler Neck

Only got a few months left in the New Forest so I'm trying to take advantage of the birding here whilst I can. Hence I took a little bird safari on the way back from work yesterday.

I drove to Nomansland via Boldrewood Ornamental Drive, where, with the windows down I soon picked up the song of many Blackcaps. A less eccentric warble caused me to stop the car and start scanning for a belated first Britsih Garden Warbler of the year. The bird was reasonably obliging and I had brief views of it flicking around some dense vegetation. Another Garden Warbler sang as I drove on to Boldrewood Car Park.

Plenty of Goldcrests singing high in the conifers, and as I strolled round I also picked up the calls of 3 Firecrests at various points. Easier to hear than see, though. I spent half an hour craning my head back trying to pick one out in the bins before succumbing to Warbler Neck - a classic birder's ailment. This, and realising how much work I had to do, caused me to cut short the Crest Challenge.

A couple of Stonechats and Linnets on the drive back over Stoney Cross. Also a few Redstarts scattered around Bramshaw Wood this evening. I had 6 singing males on my TTV visit at the weekend. Definitely one of my favourite birds.

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!

Spring at the Baie de Somme

I managed to get an excellent day's birding done whilst the weather stayed nice and warm in the north of France. This time, to what has almost become my "local patch" - Sailly Bray and Marquenterre in the Baie de Somme area.

I started at Sailly Bray at about 7 o'clock and was straight away into several singing Sedge Warblers. there were also plenty of Whitethroats, Yellow Wagtails and Reed Buntings as well as a distant Roe Deer and a couple of Brown Hare.

I managed to get some decent shots of some very obliging Sedge Warblers as well as a very showy Garden Warbler. A Cuckoo called incessantly and eventually showed itself. A female Marsh Harrier also put in an appearance. Decent views of singing Linnet and Yellowhammer can always be relied on at this spot, and both of them showed well.

Highlight of the morning was an excellent Savi's Warbler reeling away from the reedbed. Great to see a scarce bird so well and good to see them at the same spot two years running. The only "dip" of the morning was Bluethroat but I reckon had I stayed a bit longer, they would have turned up.

Just before midday I headed to the reserve of Marquenterre a few miles up the road. A tip for serious birders - don't go when the sun is out ! It was full of coach loads of kids and tourists. I queued for over 20 minutes only to have my credit card refused. To hell with queing up a second time (with the right card) I managed to jump a barbed wire fence to get into the reserve (not easy with a 'scope, camera+lens and bino's)and immediately blended in with the hordes of visitors - no worries !


Good views of Avocet, Redshank and a summer plumage Knot were very welcome as were Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, another Garden Warbler and numerous Whitethroat. The highlight of Marquenterre, however, is the "heronerie" which holds breeding White stork, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Little and Cattle Egret. Whilst viewing the colony a flock of migrating Whimbrel (about 30 birds) zoomed over allowing for a few decent shots. A nice bonus.

Back to work on Monday unfortuneately but I'm hoping to get out again soon to get the most out of spring time in the north of France.