Spent a pleasant weekend in the company of an old friend of mine and well known Farnborough resident. First order of business was an early morning jaunt down to Arne with another friend from way back, Clare, for a nailed on mammal tick, namely Sika Deer. Things were quiet at first, but our early fears that perhaps the Sikas were still in their burrows (don’t ask) turned out to be unfounded when, after a short walk, two does were found in the heath, allowing reasonable shots (John’s will be better, watch this space), and then we headed up to some high ground and were met with a fine spread of birds on the marshes below us, 17 Spoonbill being pick of the bunch, with a flock of Black-tailed Godwits and scatterings of Wigeon, Shelduck, and Brent Geese and a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls also on offer. Things got lively when a female Marsh Harrier arrived on the scene, and we were treated to all of the above filling the air in a panicked swirl. On to the hide, by which time a herd of sixteen Sika, including three stags, was out on the saltmarsh, with a seventeenth animal, a radio collared doe, beyond them where the marsh met the heath. Also had Raven overhead, a year tick for Clare.
Back at the car park a Peacock was displaying, and I know they’re plastic as hell, but it’s still a treat to see, and who can resist reaching for the camera when it happens (cue huddle of miserable buggers raising their hands…).
Blandford was next port of call, but the Otters, having shown early doors, weren’t playing, which left the Kingfishers in the spotlight. Thankfully the Kingfishers were happy to rise to the occasion, and put on the best performance from this species I have ever seen. It started with a female fishing, with a male then arriving on the scene, catching a fish and passing it to her, the pair of them then indulging in a joint display, sky pointing with tails cocked, calling like crazy (practically singing), absolute magic!
The day was rounded off with a drop in at a place whose name escapes me, close to Sixpenny Handley, which had been playing host to several Short-eared Owls, none of which put in an appearance, and a ringtail Hen Harrier which did, albeit so briefly I was the only one of the three of us to score. We also saw a quite bizarre Buzzard here, with a largely white head, extensive white on the rump, very grey brown back & upper wing coverts, very pale below with a warm buff, almost apricot, wash across the belly/hindflanks. I know it’s a variable species, but this was quite unlike any I’ve seen before. Hopefully John’s pics have come out and you can all see for yourselves.
So ended Saturday, with a trip to the pub for a gas about the old days, and discussions on future ventures, including gleaning some useful site gen for a forthcoming Scotland trip. Cheers John!