New Forest birding this weekend (1 Viewer)

J

JHudson

Active member

• Jul 18, 2012

• #1

Hi there, I'm visiting he New Forest this weekend and I'm hoping for some advice on the best locations for the following birds.
Nightjar - are they still displaying at this time of year?
Honey Buzzard - best general area to see them
Dartford Warbler - best location now they are much depleted
Best locations for any other specialities that could reasonably be expected at this time of year.
All help much appreciated.
Thank you

 

lewis20126

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2012

• #2

For Dartford Warbler, I would recommend walking from Keyhaven to Lymington along the coastal path with a particular focus on the eastern end (Oxey Marsh). They have hung on the coast in better numbers than in the Forest proper in my experience.

cheers, alan

 

Tri-Counties Birder

AKA The Portland Naturalist

• Jul 18, 2012

• #3

Nightjars are not quite displaying, but they should still be pretty active, and this may well include churring. Any heathland area has them.

Acres Down near Lyndhurst is your best bet for HB, but they are difficult to see at the best of times, and I'm afraid July is not the best of times!

 

Last edited: Jul 18, 2012

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Jul 31, 2012

• #4

I spent a whole morning at Acres Down and had not a sniff of Honey Buzzard. Idid have a cracking Red Kite and a huge female Goshawk (not at the same time!) plus a few Buzzards and a Hobby. I heard in the afternoon that HBs have been knocked sideways by the awful early summer weather.

John

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Jul 31, 2012

• #5

Most odd to read this site being openly discussed as way back when I was birding in Hampshire (1960s/early 70s) the old guard were incredibly secretive about this site. They turned up once when we were there and I swear they spent as much time glowering at us as they did looking for HB. When one did fly over they pretended it didn't exist and were most discombobulated when my old friend Phil asked then if they had seen the Honey Buzzard! Mind you, I suspect that they'd find the idea of seeing Goshawk and Red Kite there equally amazing. I'm down in the county this w/e - perhaps I'll take a look,

 

pdwinter

Paul Winter

• Aug 1, 2012

• #6

John Cantelo said:

I'm down in the county this w/e - perhaps I'll take a look,

Click to expand...

I think I'd wait until september and then sit on your spanish roof terrace!

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2012

• #7

pdwinter said:

I think I'd wait until september and then sit on your spanish roof terrace!

Click to expand...

Only seen one Goshawk from the terrace so the NF may give me a better chance!