Spring was definitely in the air, beautiful sunshine and in the sheltered spots it was delightfully warm, a great start for our new Wednesday monthly group meeting at Moyles Court. In the short distance from Moyles Court and The Alice Lisle pub we lingered quite a while watching Nuthatches calling and flitting up and down the branches, a Jay sat and watched us, then a Great Spotted Woodpecker appeared. In the field a few Mistle Thrush and Joe found a Redwing which promptly disappeared. Chaffinch were in good song as were Robin and Collared Dove. As we approached the footpath down to Blashford Lake we had our first of several singing Chiffchaffs.
It was a little difficult looking over Blashford Lake (also known as Spinnaker Lake) was difficult due to the sun but we did watch a pair of Gadwall with a Coot. Gadwall are well known to stay close to Coots so when they dive bringing up weed the Gadwall take advantage of the excess weed brought up. Spring flowers seen along the path included Lungwort, Violets, Lesser Celandine and Periwinkle. From the screen overlooking Ivy Lake we had close views of Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Great Crested Grebe. Joe then spotted the Long-tailed Duck in front of the Ivy South Hide, I just got on to it as it flew up chasing a Tufted Duck aggressively across the lake, when the Tufty landed on the water the Long-tail landed on top of it. No idea what the Tufty did but he certainly found out in no uncertain terms that he had upset the Long-tail!
By the screen a Reed Bunting was calling and one briefly sat up on the brambles before flying past us. Walking a little further we heard Siskins flying over and then a pair of Bullfinch appeared. Before everyone could see them properly they flew, however soon after two males and a female landed in front of us showing very well. One male was much brighter than the other and the female seemed to be much more impressed by him. Looking across the lichen heath were 3 Mistle Thrush and with them were 2 Redwings and it was here we had our first Brimstone butterflies, over the rest of our walk we had a good number of them.
We walked across to Goosander Hide and a summer plumaged Little Grebe was close in to the Sand Martin bank. To the right of the hide a Little Egret stood on the shoreline, further along were 3 Snipe, several Lapwing, Goosander and Shoveler duck. Looking across to the spit further out into Ibsley Water were a few more Goosander, Egyptian Geese and an Oystercatcher all asleep. A Redshank picked its way along the waters edge and in the water were a pair of Goldeneye, with a few more further out into Ibsley Water. Walking back to the cars we came across a few stands of Wild Daffodils and a couple of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
By the screen a Reed Bunting was calling and one briefly sat up on the brambles before flying past us. Walking a little further we heard Siskins flying over and then a pair of Bullfinch appeared. Before everyone could see them properly they flew, however soon after two males and a female landed in front of us showing very well. One male was much brighter than the other and the female seemed to be much more impressed by him. Looking across the lichen heath were 3 Mistle Thrush and with them were 2 Redwings and it was here we had our first Brimstone butterflies, over the rest of our walk we had a good number of them.
We walked across to Goosander Hide and a summer plumaged Little Grebe was close in to the Sand Martin bank. To the right of the hide a Little Egret stood on the shoreline, further along were 3 Snipe, several Lapwing, Goosander and Shoveler duck. Looking across to the spit further out into Ibsley Water were a few more Goosander, Egyptian Geese and an Oystercatcher all asleep. A Redshank picked its way along the waters edge and in the water were a pair of Goldeneye, with a few more further out into Ibsley Water. Walking back to the cars we came across a few stands of Wild Daffodils and a couple of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Great Crested Grebes © Nick Hull
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