A Bristol Channel Island

Since the 8th May, our last post, we have been pretty busy going here there and everywhere and we're just starting to catch up with our blog.  On Sunday 14th May Jackie and I joined our friend Justin on the Devon Birds visit to Lundy off the Devon coast, sailing from Bideford at 08:30hrs in the morning and arrive around 10:30 at the island.   On our crossing we had many Manx Shearwaters flying by as well as several Gannet, we also passed a raft of Manx loafing on the sea.

Manx Shearwater over Bristol Channel © Nick Hull

Raft of Manx Shearwater

Unlike many who perhaps, shall we say, weren't especially good sailors disembarked we took the hour tour on the boat to circumnavigate the island.   This was very interesting and with doing as we learnt about the Island's history and you get closer views of the seabirds than you can from the cliff top.

As we circled the island we had views of good numbers of auks, Fulmar, and several of the common  large gull species.  It wasn't until we were approaching Jenny's Cove famous for the visiting Ancient Murrelet back in 1990/91, a first for Britain and the Western Palearctic, that we had our first good views of Puffin with two birds on the water not far off the boat.

Puffin © Nick Hull

Puffin and Guillemot fly by © Nick Hull

We also had Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffins, Kittiwakes and Fulmar flying by the boat giving pretty good views to all.  After landing we made our way up to the top of the island where we decided not to try to walk around the whole Island but to concentrate on 25% and do it well, which I think we accomplished adding lots of Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatears, Linnets, Rock and Meadow Pipits, Swallow, House and Sand Martins all were zooming around feeding on the airborne insect life.  

Before we knew it it was time to go and catch the boat back to civilisation and Bideford for an evening meal.  Our trip back was fairly uneventful more Manxies and the odd Gannet and a Peregrine sat on the Bridge pillar as we came into the harbour made a nice finish to a very interesting day.  

Subalpine, Skuas & More

Jackie and I have had a pretty good start to May birding, beginning with Portland Bill on the 1st May.  We decided as we hadn't been seawtaching for some time and there had been some skua movement in the last couple of days of April.  Also there had been a Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Cheyne Weares so we thought we'd just stop and check if it was still around, before heading to the Bill for a seawatch.  So at eight o'clock we were looking over the scrub by the Cheyne Weares car park in a light drizzle thinking there is no way that the bird was going to show in such weather.  But after about twenty minutes or so Jackie picked it up in a elder bush and we watched it for quite awhile and I took some memory shots, none of which are very good. 

We saw it later after the rain stopped in bright sunlight but it didn't come close enough for a half decent shot.  So off to the Bill we went and on arrival we decided we'd give seawtaching an hour as conditions didn't appear to be right for the best seawatching.  Immediately it was obvious there were many Gannets passing the odd Fulmar, the usual gulls and a Shag or two.  Then the wind swung around the sky cleared but still nothing then a flight of thirty Common Scoter passed.  I checked the time we'd been there for fifty minutes and then things went a little mad, two large dark brown birds with white wing flashes came by Great Skua's and not far out giving excellent views as they passed.  Thinking we should go and renew the parking ticket whenthere were four more skuas a little further there was no doubt two dark phase and two pale phase and with spoon shaped central tail feathers - four stunning Pomarine Skuas. They were followed by three Arctic Skua and amazing as that was, two more Bonxie came past and then Jackie picked out a Puffin, leaving two minutes to get back to the car before the parking ticket ran out.

The shot below was not the Portland birds but was taken from the Normandy coast a few years ago.

Pomarine Skua from the Two Owls Archive taken in France

After what was probably about the best eight minutes of seawtaching I've had in recent years we decided to call it a day and headed home happy. 

Next day popped back to Longham as a friend wanted to see the Bonaparte's Gull but it wasn't to be seen and we we told it seems to turn up later in the day, so we headed off into the New Forest to an area we haven't visited for a while.  It was alive with Blackbirds many feeding young, we came a cross Tree Pipit and several Firecrests, Redstarts and Cuckoo.  But possibly the best was a beetle, in fact a very glossy dung beetle a Heath Dumble Dor Trypocopris pyrenaeus which is quite a rare species found mainly in Dorset, Surrey and the New Forest.

Heath Dumble Dor Beetle - © Nick Hull

Later we revisited Longham and saw the Bonaparte's and ended the second day of May happy.

On the 3rd May we met our monthly Wednesday group at Blashford Lakes at the Tern Hide and started almost immediately on getting out of our cars with Lapwings chasing off a Crow and a singing Garden Warbler from the brambles plus Swifts overhead.  From the hide we had the usual Black-headed Gulls, Coot, Tufted Duck and Mallard, along the foreshore there were Redshank and Little Ringed Plover.  Further out there were Greylag, Canada and Egyptian Geese and at least a dozen Common Tern flying back and forth feeding over the lake.

We moved on around to the Goosander hide checking off a number of the common woodland species as  we went. As we turned off the main path we disturbed a Kingfisher on the edge of the balancing pond which was a nice addition to our day list.  Just before the hide we had a very showy Garden Warbler singing  and giving everyone good views as well as a good listen to its varied song.

Garden Warbler - Blashford Lakes © Nick Hull

From the Goosander hide we were able to add Great Crested Grebe, a duck Mallard with her new ducklings a distant Buzzard and more geese and a few Mediterranean Gulls on the Island. Then the Kingfisher flew past and perched up on a branch over the water to our left just a little to far for a good photograph but it gave excellent scope views.

Male Kingfisher Ibsley Water © Nick Hull

Walking on around to the Lapwing hide we had good views of a Cuckoo and a good number of Reed Warblers and a handful of Reed Bunting and more Garden Warblers.  In fact the latter was probably the most heard bird on our walk, as someone said on the day "it seems to be the Mecca for Garden Warblers here" certainly the habitat here suits them well.  On the lake before the hide we had lovely view of a summer plumaged Little Grebe and Swallows swooping low over the water.  From the Lapwing hide we had Gadwall and a super pair of Lesser Black-backed Gull resting out front, Jackie called Wigeon and somewhat surprised to still see any present there were nine on the gravel spit and a little later they took off circling the lake.

On the 7th May we were back with a group in the New Forest at Pig Bush, the heath bog and woodland gave us a good selection of the forest birds and new arrived migrants.  We quickly ticked off Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Redstart, then our first Cuckoo.  Crossing the heath to the bog area Stonechats and Meadow Pipits outnumbered everything else, we had a Dartford Warbler singing but we were unable to find it in the thick heather.  In the bog we had good views of a Garden Warbler in a small stand of willows and Lapwing were very busy keeping away the crows and Jackdaws from nest and young.  But the highlight of the morning had to be the Snipe first heard making its characteristic yapping call from somewhere in the bog.  Later we had two birds over the same area drumming which is just a wonderful sound and a sound that is becoming much rarer in the last ten years.

Drumming Snipe Two Owls Archive 

Shortly after we had our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year and added Treecreeper quickly followed by a pair of Redstart.  Ben who lived in the forest said he had Woodlark in that area as well and only a minute or two later Jackie picked up one singing albeit a little distant.  We continued on checking off species as we went and we checked the Treecreepers nest that I found a couple weeks before, they were still present so things were looking positive for a successful outcome even though they were very close to the path.  A little further on Pauline called "what's that bird ahead on the path", the first bird that most of us saw was a female Chaffinch, then I became aware of another bird and quickly realised it was a Woodlark and in fact there were two, we all had brief but good views before they became aware that we were watching them and moved out of sight, ending an excellent mornings walk.

On the way home from Pig Bush a birding friend Olly tweeted that the Black Terns was still present at Longham lakes so as we were just passing through West Parley we thought it a timely report and we stopped in to see if we could see them.  On arrival we were walking around the north lake and ticked off the 1st/sum Bonaparte's Gull yet again noticing that its head seemed a little darker than a few days earlier.  We then met Olly as he was just leaving and he pointed out that the terns were at the far end of the south lake.  Indeed they were all three were sat of a buoy out in the middle of the lake, all looking superb in full summer plumage a perfect way to end the first seven days of May.

Black Tern - Longham Lakes © Nick Hull

 Flyby Black Tern - Longham lakes © Nick Hull

Bonaparte's, Plovers, Sandpipers, & Flowers

Over the last month or so Jackie and I have been out visiting various favourite sites between leading groups and we have seen a few nice things.  So I thought I'd put a few of our highlight into a blog with one or two photos which I was able to get.

One of our clients mentioned on a walk recently that he had just seen Pasqueflower near where he lives in Hampshire, a flower I had never seen in the UK so directions were imparted and Jackie and I went off to find this beautiful flower.  When we arrived at our destination we hunted for the plant but couldn't find it but then quickly realised that we hadn't listened to the interaction properly and we were in the wrong place.  After a bit of a uphill walk we came to the correct location and we found ten plants fully out in flower.

Pasqueflower © Nick Hull

Pasqueflower © Nick Hull

Jackie and I had visited Blashford Lakes to see the Bonaparte's and Little Gulls which were to far away to photograph but gave good scope views.  Whilst there we added Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper to our year list and our first Common Terns so it was a very successful visit.

Little Ringed Plover - Blashford Lakes © Nick Hull

Common Sandpiper - Blashford Lakes © Nick Hull

A few days later another Bonaparte's Gull turned up at Longham Lakes but it wasn't until the late afternoon when we received a 'tweet' from a friend that whilst watching the gull a Red-rumped Swallow was found.  It was too much of a lure so we quickly grabbed our bins, camera gear and headed to Longham.   When we arrived we found Terry and Mike and a handful of others watching a gathering of swallows.  We joined them but the Red-rumped wasn't in sight at that moment but just a few metres away was the Bonaparte's Gull resting on a floating island, so I took advantage and took a few shots though the light was going a little by then, I managed a reasonable photo.

2nd Calendar Year Bonaparte's Gull - Longham Lakes © Nick Hull

Shortly afterwards George picked up the Red-rumped and it kindly did a fly pass, in fact it flew right over my head and we had a very good quick view as it past.  It then went out of sight and shortly after I found it with other Swallows in a tight ball circling high and then drifting off towards the Christchurch direction no doubt to go to roost somewhere.  Unfortunately it passed too quickly to get any record shots of this beautiful southern Swallow.

Yesterday (29th) we had our granddaughter so we took her for a walk at Challow Hill in the hope the Nightingales had returned. Unfortunately it appears they haven't but we had a good number of Whitethroat, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and the usual common species Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird etc.  But we did note that there was no Yellowhammers there this year which was a little disconcerting hopefully they were off feeding somewhere and we just missed them.  What was there and looking superb in the morning sun was Green-veined Orchids just a small stand  but more plants than last year which was very nice to see.

Green-veined Orchid - Challow Hill © Nick Hull

On Our walk back to the car we watched a Buzzard pass over us and shortly after returned and passed us carrying prey which looked like a slow worm in its tallons.  This was the third Buzzard that I have seen of late which was carrying a reptile, the previous birds had a Grass Snake and what looked like an Adder.

Common Buzzard with Slow Worm - Challow Hill © Nick Hull

Woodland Ramble!!!

On Wednesday (19th) we saw ourselves in the north of Dorset near the Wiltshire border at Garston Wood a RSPB woodland.  Its a very botanically rich woodland and can produce a good selection of woodland birds.  

Whilst we assembled in the car park we were serenaded Blackcap, Robin and Chiffchaff, walking through the gate we quickly added Orange-tip and Speckled Wood butterflies.  But the thing you really notice is the carpet of Bluebells interspersed with patches of Wild Garlic, Dogs Mercury, Wood Anemone and amongst all these Toothwort and Early Purple Orchids and Greater Twayblade just fantastic. 

Early Purple Orchid

Greater Twayblade Orchid

male Orange-tip - Garston Wood & Butcher Broom in berry © Nick Hull 

Our walk produced all the woodland species expected, Nuthatches were pretty active and probably our bird of the day was Tree Pipit, in fact we had two which were singing well and one sang long enough from one position for everyone to get pretty good views. Thanks to Martin for his photograph below.

Singing Tree Pipit - Garston Wood © Martin Black

New Forest & Coastal Birding

On Saturday (15th) we met up once again with Steve and Helena for a day's birding in the New Forest. After watching Marsh Tit, among the many birds feeding in Helena's beautiful garden, while having a cup of tea we drove to Pig's Bush/Bishop's Dyke area for our first walk of the day.  

Driving there we saw a Red-legged Partridge perched on top of a gate which started our list off nicely.  Arriving in Pig Bush car park we stopped to listen to the birdsong with Robin Blackbird, Stock Dove, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch and Chaffinch.  Walking out on to the heath a superb male Redstart hopped on to a branch then flew down to the ground then back up and stopped long enough to get even closer views in the scope.  We then heard the first of at least 10 Willow Warblers on our walk and a few Swallow flew over.  Meadow Pipits were displaying and a Buzzard was soaring over the far wood.

Coming into the marshy area of the dyke we had our first Stonechat, a splendid male and singing Willow Warbler.  We came into close contact with several Meadow Pipits flitting around this area, coming down on the path and almost dancing across the heather and landing back on the path, quite fascinating to watch them.  Reed Buntings as usual here and a Grey Heron flew across, then we heard a Cuckoo. Maybe it was Selborne, the first satellite tagged Cuckoo to return to UK, go to  https://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/selborne for more info.

In their usual spot were three Lapwings as we moved into the wood with another male Redstart to greet us.  We added Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker and Dunnock to our list, as well as watching three Mallard fly over.  Further on Siskins flew over and we stopped to watch a Greenfinch singing and displaying. Little further on Nick noticed a Treecreeper collecting nesting material.  We watched him going in and out of where he had obviously chosen to nest behind some loosened bark on an old Oak tree.  He was happy with us as we kept a very respectful distance but Nick was still able to get a nice series of photos.  

A sequence of shot of the Treecreeper moving around the tree to disappear under the bark to its nest. © Nick Hull

After lunch we went on to Lower Pennington, looking over Pennington Marsh as usual plenty of Canada Geese and more unusually two Barnacle Geese.  Also Lapwing, Redshank and a few Wigeon still.  A few Swallows flew by as we crossed over to look over the old landfill pool with the usual assortment of gulls, plus Tufted Duck and Coots.  On the grass I picked up four Wheatears in the scope also lazing Shelduck, then a few Sand Martins appeared hawking over the pool but disappeared almost as quickly.  A Buzzard over the distant woods and a Meadow Pipit started displaying.  The warm sunshine brought out a few butterflies with Peacock and Red Admiral noted here.

Walking on to look over Fishtail Lagoon we had Skylark and the loud blast of Cetti's Warbler singing.

At the lagoon we had Little Grebe, Gadwall, Teal and Little Egret, along with Redshanks but otherwise it was fairly quiet.  Looking out to the Solent we found a pair of Eider, also a Ringed Plover but in the heat haze it was difficult and a much closer Great Crested Grebe.  Looking behind Butts Lagoon we heard the "ping" call and watched a Bearded Tit briefly fly over the reeds before diving back into the reedbed.  Further on a few winter plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, a Reed Warbler sang from the reeds while a Whitethroat piped up behind us.

We ended our day at Tanner's Lane, rather busy with holiday makers so we didn't linger long but we were very pleased to see our first Little Tern of the year, while listening to the Mediterranean Gulls calling and in the scrubby area Blackcap and Chiffchaff sang.  A good end to a glorious day and thanks to Steve and Helena for being such great company.

Birding Keyhaven Marshes

Our Tuesday group met on the first day of Spring at Keyhaven for a walk round the marshes, in glorious sunshine but with a chilly wind.  It was a day when it was very noticeable that numbers of waders and wildfowl were much lower than of late, already flying north towards their breeding grounds.  We're sure this will change over the next few weeks with new waders coming through from the continent.

There was still plenty to keep us occupied, starting with a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls, a few Brent Geese, Redshank and a single Oystercatcher.  Also the first of five bird of prey species with Marsh Harrier and Buzzard as we began walking the sea wall.  We were pleased to come across a flock of 30 Turnstones on the tideline, they hadn't forsaken us yet. We stopped to look over the small pools with a single Black-tailed Godwit, a few Redshank and Teal, also a Meadow Pipit.  A Kestrel hovered over the fields and then went across to the saltmarsh.  As I watched it I heard some of the birds on the marsh fly up agitated, Nick found the culprit as it flew towards us low and fast, a Sparrowhawk.  Nick luckily had his camera ready and got a couple of shots as it flew across us.  

Sparrowhawk - Keyhaven © Nick Hull

We reached Keyhaven Lagoon, first though a pair of Stonechats took our attention feeding on the ground and then popping up on top of the gorse or on the wire fence.  I could see a large white blob on the lagoon, looking very much like a hunched Spoonbill.  Not only was it indeed a Spoonbill moving round a little further we found four roosting together, one very briefly lifted up its head to show its bill.

Also on the lagoon were 22 Pintail, Wigeon, a few Lapwing and a smart Greenshank.  A couple of Roe Deer   On Fishtail Lagoon we added a couple of Snipe and three Spotted Redshanks, several Shoveler and Little Grebes.  On the saltmarsh all we could add were four Dunlin other than Redshanks and Curlews.

Redshank-Black-tailed Godwit Keyhaven ©Nick Hull

As we came up to the ancient highway a Cetti's Warbler called, a Skylark spiralled up in song despite the strong wind.  On the old tip pool were the usual Black-headed Gulls, Tufted Ducks, Coots and Canada Geese.   Suddenly the gulls lifted up and seemed upset, Nick again came to the rescue seeing the Peregrine flying along back of the old landfill.  It did land and we had poor views only really seeing its head as it came up from eating something it had obviously caught.

A good week Birding catch-up

It's been good birding over the past week or two with some excellent birds despite some grotty weather at times.   On  Sunday, 26 February, we had a group out for the day in the New Forest and it was challenging with wind and rain but we braved it and were rewarded for it.  Starting in the north of the forest watching for Goshawk, we'd had good views of a pair the week before so were very hopeful of a repeat.  Though we did see a pair they were fairly distant but with Wood Larks, Mistle Thrush, Raven and Lapwing nearby we didn't mind.

Moving on to Eyeworth Pond for the Mandarin Ducks we were not disappointed watching several drakes flying around the pond chasing each other, quite a sight!  Another reason to pop into Eyeworth is for Marsh Tit attracted to seed that someone puts down on the wooden posts.  Of course it also attracts other small birds including Coal Tit.  On to Bolderwood for a comfort stop and a quick look round, on the grass were several Mistle Thrush and a couple of Song Thrushes.  However it was Scott that picked up a two of Crossbills flying over us.  

Now the rain was heavier and we moved on to Beaulieu road to have lunch before looking for the Great Grey Shrike.  We added Stonechat and not much else and certainly not the Shrike!  However, our last stop at Blackwater Arboretum was now much less windy and much drier, even a bit of blue sky at last.  We had seven species of finch with Chaffinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, a brief view of a Redpoll nicely picked up by Angus.  However the best was left to last with Hawfinch, we saw a few flying in but not stopping then one landed in a dead fir.  It stayed there for at least 20 minutes while we watched and admired it, in the end we had to leave.  

Male Hawfinch - New Forest © Nick Hull

On Tuesday, 28 February, Nick and I went with our friend Margaret to Abbotsbury, West Dorset.  It was very windy to say the least but we walked over the field by the Swannery looking for the Richard's Pipit that have been wintering there.  Nick spotted them in a private field but through the scope we managed good views, super looking birds.  Feeling a bit battered in the wind we got back to car and looked over the water in a bit more comfort.  We found the Long-tailed Duck and Scaup, also watched a Marsh Harrier briefly quartering the reeds.  After a great pub lunch we popped down to Portland Harbour for the Slavonian Grebe recently reported and Nick found two so another year tick in the bag.

Our Wednesday group on 1 March, we met at Knoll Beach, Studland for a walk in the wood, it was a quiet start with the usual common woodland birds.  Not much on Littlesea but Joe had spotted a small bird to the right of the hide, so we investigated.  Very glad we did as I walked to side of the hide on the ground were a small flock of Redpolls feeding.  We stood and watched these beautiful little birds for ages before finally they flew off.  

Great Northern Diver Studland © Nick Hull

Now for a spot of seawtaching first from Knoll Beach and then from Fort Henry, with a scattering of Black-necked and Great Crested Grebes and then two Great Northern Divers showed very well.  Then we heard the familiar call of Ring-necked Parakeets, despite being a brilliant green in colour they really don't stand out but eventually we had very good views of them.  On the way back to the cars admiring the beautiful spring flowers, with Snowdrops, Primroses, Daffodils, Fran saw a small bird flitting around and I able to see it briefly before it flew off, a Firecrest!

On the afternoon of 2 March it was sunny and we had a chance to visit Wareham Forest to look for the Great Grey Shrike, we started with Reed Bunting, then a few Siskin flying over as well as a Raven.  We hadn't walked that far when the shrike put in an appearance.  It was distant so no photo's again for Nick but through the scope we could admire it.  We added Stonechat on our walk back to the car.  

As we had been so lucky to see the shrike so quickly we popped over to the bay at the end of the afternoon but only recorded the usual gull coming into bathe before going to roost in the Wareham Channel.  But we were handsomely rewarded with a female Hen Harrier.

This week we've also caught up with the Snow Bunting on Studland Beach, if you've not seen it yet it likes to hang round Pilots Point area.  On a beautiful spring day you won't be disappointed, this was our view on Tuesday 7 March.  Shame I managed to put my thumb over part of the lens!

Studland Beach looking towards Sandbanks © Jackie Hull