☀ Tuesday 25th January... A day out at Rutland Water, meeting up with Pete Worthy, Trevor Griffiths and Alan Boddington from the Brandon Team.
Yet another glorious frosty start to the day we began at the fisherman's car park, which overlooks the North Arm shortly after 9am. A flat calm water produced the usual wildfowl, a pair of Goldeneye at close range. Out towards the centre but at distance two Black-necked Grebes. While here I was certain I'd heard a Common Sandpiper fly over but unfortunately the bird was not located.
Green-winged Teal ~ Great find by Pete!
We decided that better views of the Grebes could be obtained by driving around to Dickinson's Bay on the opposite bank. We did relocate the Black-necked Grebes at Dickinson's but still unfortunately at distance and while here a single Slavonian Grebe and a bonus Green-winged Teal, the latter superbly found by Pete fast asleep on the shoreline alongside a group of Eurasians! While here a Red Kite drifted to the west, one of three seen today.
One of a total of five Great Egrets seen today!
On to the 'cottage road' for more views across the North Arm, with (3) Great Egrets, (2) Little Egrets, (2) Barnacle Goose and (2) Common Buzzard additions to the day list.
Water Rail ~ Enjoying the pleasant sunshine!
On to the main reserve next, a pair of Stonechat viewable from inside the centre. Lagoon 3 was productive with two more Great Egrets (5 for the day) and a Water Rail, which came out for a brief sunbathe. A Bittern was located within the far reedbed and occasionally offered half decent views, before two flights, the latter of the bird disappearing deep into the reed. I did manage a very impromptu video which I've posted below!
Two final stops of the day, firstly South Arm 3: Here an amazing count of (22) Red-crested Pochard and despite the sun causing real problems (3) Smew, which included two drakes. Finally across to Lagoon 4 the best here excellent views of a pair of Peregrine Falcon's, perched up on the Osprey tower! A top birding day which also included: Sparrowhawk and Kestrel on the day list!
A weekend in Hampshire for Dee and I and while driving down late afternoon Friday an unexpected year-tick, when a Tawny Owl flew across the carriageway at dusk as we approached the M3 motorway!
☀☁ Saturday 21st January... A glorious frosty start to the day for our first ever visit to Titchfield Haven NNR which covers 369 acres across the Meon Valley. With the pools frozen we decided to forgo the Scrapes Trail, instead visiting the three hides which overlook the meadows and River Meon beyond. These produced Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and a good selection of the usual wintering wildfowl. Two Marsh Harriers were the highlight and a large group of Canada Geese feeding on the meadows yielded a single Barnacle Goose within.
Two Sandwich Terns among the Gull was a real surprise!
After lunch in the centre a walk East along the seawall and while scanning a group of gulls opposite the Hill Head Sailing Club we were amazed to come across two Sandwich Terns! I'm unsure as to whether wintering Terns are the norm in these parts? Waders along the shingle included Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Turnstone.
A very obliging Snow Bunting!
Returning west along the seawall and across the harbour road bridge a Kingfisher was showing rather well and then a very confiding Snow Bunting near the boat dry dock, which posed quite happily for several photographs. A long spell scanning the Solent from the sea wall was very productive with a selection of (15) Eider, (6) Scaup, (30+) Common Scoter and (5) Great Crested Grebe.
We did manage a brief visit in the fading light to Beaulieu Road Station in the New Forest. A Great Grey Shrike reported yesterday but we were not surprised to dip on this one! This can also be a great place for Dartford Warbler but again there was little chance.
Dee's excellent photo of Kingfisher at Titchfield Haven!
☀Sunday 22nd January... Another glorious morning and an afternoon at Lymington~Keyhaven Nature Reserve. Some superb habitat here with mudflats and salt marshes, plus a seawall which offers great views out towards the Isle of Wight.
Despite being mobbed by Sunday walkers highlights here were over 1000 Brent Geese, (110+) Pintail, Marsh Harrier, pair of Stonechat, Little Egret and a very inquisitive Fox! There are hundreds of waders feeding on the mudflats to scan through, including good numbers of Godwit and several Grey Plover! The sea seemed extremely quiet, other than double figure Red-breasted Merganser!
Leading on from my last post I had a very lazy Wednesday and spent Thursday 12th with the volunteers at Brandon Marsh. We decided to go with the full team and complete the required works at West Marsh (Steetley Hide), hopefully before the rain set in! This included replacing the Kingfisher perch and taking out invasive willow and birch throughout the reedbed, at the same time clearing the small island directly in front of the hide! The weather was dreadful but a nice fire kept spirits high. I also ringbarked or Girdled several trees at the top end. Brandon has lost far too many of it's iconic dead trees in recent times and it's worth preparing a few more of the larger trees for the future.
More willow bashing ~ This time on West Marsh!
After work Thursday and tea in the nature centre Alan Boddington and I decided to track back to the Steetley Hide and spend an hour. It was also a good opportunity to check out our handy work too. While here a very prompt tweet from Paul Cashmore alerted us to a couple of Waxwings, literally a ten minute drive at Wolston village and so off we went. We weren't disappointed, with two birds dropping down occasionally from the treetops to feed on whats left of a Sorbus Trees berries. Sadly too dark and dank for any decent photos.
Friday 13th January... I had a late start, stopping briefly at Wolston for another look at the Waxwings before ending up at Brandon Marsh in the company of Bob Lee. The birding was pretty dire to be honest, a count of ten Pochard the best on offer but was brightened considerably by the sight of two, possibly three Otters, which swam past directly in front of East Marsh Hide. A cracking sighting and one which I managed a very short video of (above).
One of the many Bewick Swans wintering at Slimbridge!
Saturday 14th January... Dee and I made our annual January visit to WWT Slimbridge. Not everyones cup of tea but a place we very much enjoy. Its a perfect opportunity to see species you may never see in the wild and also an excellent chance to study the species which we do often encounter, but at close range. It also has several good hides to visit which can boost the year list without too much effort. Today mine was extended by Bittern, Crane, Barnacle Goose (110+), pair of Peregrine, Ruff, Snipe and the sites speciality, Bewick Swans.