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Hampshire (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter pe'rigin
- Start date
John P
Usually on a different wavelength
The worst walk of the year - so far -
Spent an hour or so walking part of the old railway line (and back again) from Burbush towards Holmsley Passage this morning, I managed to see 5 Crows, 7 Blackbirds (all male), 1 Great Tit and heard a Chaffinch and a Green woodpecker.
I would normally reckon to see at least 30 species along here, several more on a really good day, not even a Robin in sight anywhere, there's usually one in every bush along there.
GGS was a welcome bonus at Black Gutter late this afternoon though.
Spent an hour or so walking part of the old railway line (and back again) from Burbush towards Holmsley Passage this morning, I managed to see 5 Crows, 7 Blackbirds (all male), 1 Great Tit and heard a Chaffinch and a Green woodpecker.
I would normally reckon to see at least 30 species along here, several more on a really good day, not even a Robin in sight anywhere, there's usually one in every bush along there.
GGS was a welcome bonus at Black Gutter late this afternoon though.
lngbrder888
Active member
Been reading some of these threads for a while and not yet got stuck in. Great to hear what people are seeing and where though.
Went for a long walk today after parking at Picket Post. Was hoping for a Hen Harrier I had seen before but it never turned up. Also found it very quiet...just a few Meadow Pipits over and a Mistle Thrush guarding a holly bush. Kept walking though and headed towards Burley.
While hopping my way across one of the many bogs I looked up to see a Great Grey Shrike sat in the top of a birch. Managed to watch for a good 15 minutes before it dissapeared out of sight. Read on Two Owls Birding that its a known bird...but still very happy to have seen it! First for me...
Went for a long walk today after parking at Picket Post. Was hoping for a Hen Harrier I had seen before but it never turned up. Also found it very quiet...just a few Meadow Pipits over and a Mistle Thrush guarding a holly bush. Kept walking though and headed towards Burley.
While hopping my way across one of the many bogs I looked up to see a Great Grey Shrike sat in the top of a birch. Managed to watch for a good 15 minutes before it dissapeared out of sight. Read on Two Owls Birding that its a known bird...but still very happy to have seen it! First for me...
pdwinter
Paul Winter
Could be worse, John. Elaine and I walked around Keyhaven/Pennington this afternoon and managed to miss 35 Whitefronts
teamsaint
Well-known member
Could be worse, John. Elaine and I walked around Keyhaven/Pennington this afternoon and managed to miss 35 Whitefronts
Don't worry Paul, you weren't the only ones
I did manage this stunning image though. :-O
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John P
Usually on a different wavelength
For anyone not plugged in to the HantsBirdNews site the WTE has been seen again.
I was out today at about the right time and not too far from there but I was mostly looking South, the strange thing was as I was driving home I was wondering where it might have gone as it's not been reported anywhere since seen on 1.1.11.
damn thing probably went over my house. :-C
I was out today at about the right time and not too far from there but I was mostly looking South, the strange thing was as I was driving home I was wondering where it might have gone as it's not been reported anywhere since seen on 1.1.11.
damn thing probably went over my house. :-C
pdwinter
Paul Winter
John P
Usually on a different wavelength
...........and again today, and fortunately I was there this time - I predict a fair bit of chaos along the road there tomorrow.
ginge_meister
Well-known member
For people going to see it, it could be worth waiting on news first.
There is apparently a pheasant shoot on site or very close nearby tomorrow (Saturday) morning which may disturb the bird. News of its presence will probably go out early tomorrow nonetheless.
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ginge_meister
Well-known member
The Lapland Buntings at Cutbridge (Milford-on-sea) are really worth a look in at the moment, the males are coming into stunning plumage and if you pull close to the fence and stay in your car they come quite close.
It would be interesting to know just how many there are there as when ever a small group of Skylark take off there always seems to be at least one lap in amongst them....and there is 100s of Skylarks there!!
It would be interesting to know just how many there are there as when ever a small group of Skylark take off there always seems to be at least one lap in amongst them....and there is 100s of Skylarks there!!
Various reports of numbers but on average, about 10 or so seems to be quoted most.
No sign of Bittern(s) at Blashford up until about 3pm but Great Grey Shrike on edge of woodland facing water works before being "escorted" towards Goosander Hide area by smaller birds. Apparently one was seen before New Year. Also, some super views of 6 Bewick Swans at Ibsley.
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ginge_meister
Well-known member
Yes there was a peculiar report of 50 Snow Bunting and Lapland Bunting at Keyhaven Lagoon yesterday from someone I have never met on goingbirding. This would be a ridiculous total for Hampshire.
But I cannot help but think someone has got a little confused with the location; that was infact Cutbridge, and also counted Skylark instead of Snow Buntings. (Happy to be proven wrong though).
I think the max count for Lapland Buntings has actually been about 20, but 10+ is usually what is reported to play it safe.
John P
Usually on a different wavelength
............and I met a fair few at Keyhaven today actually looking for them, I tried to let them down gently and pointed them towards Hurst Spit.
pdwinter
Paul Winter
...and today I walked along from Hordle Cliff carpark to Barton on Sea and back keeping my eyes on the northern sky. On the way back we stopped again near the Taddiford trigpoint for a quick scan and a couple of women arrived about 3.30pm hoping to see the eagle. I was able to show them the assembled birders on the A337 and they dashed back to their car in Taddiford Gap carpark to head off that way. Hope they got to see it!
Cornish Chough
Well-known member
I was in the area on a short weekend break and went looking for the W T E this afternoon but it did not show sadly.
Sorry to have to report this Cornish but my wife and I motored along Hordle Lane this morning, stopping where a group of birders had collected, peering over a field so we carried on around Angel Lane in a circle looking for the WTE but finally decided to have a wander around Keyhaven instead. About 12:30 a mass of geese, ducks, lapwing and smaller birds preceeded a "flying barn door" as the WTE drifted along from Milford/New Milton over to Lymington where we finally lost sight of it some 10 minutes later.
Also, 30 White-fronted Geese, 82 Barnacle Geese and 50-ish Golden Plover on the marsh behind the point towards Isley Lane.
pdwinter
Paul Winter
WT Eagle 12/1
The White-tailed Eagle was back in its usual area early afternoon. I walked along Crooked lane from the B3058 and took shelter from the rain under some trees much nearer the A337. At 13:33 the eagle appeared at the southern end of Angel Lane and then moved along the tree-line to circle around Hooper's Hill. I lost it to view for a couple of minutes and then it reappeared and after a minute or so it disappeared, presumably in, or on the eastern side of, Breakhill Copse.
The White-tailed Eagle was back in its usual area early afternoon. I walked along Crooked lane from the B3058 and took shelter from the rain under some trees much nearer the A337. At 13:33 the eagle appeared at the southern end of Angel Lane and then moved along the tree-line to circle around Hooper's Hill. I lost it to view for a couple of minutes and then it reappeared and after a minute or so it disappeared, presumably in, or on the eastern side of, Breakhill Copse.
