19th December - The New Forest and Martin Down, Hampshire

The arrangements were to meet Ian at Martin Down this morning, but as I drove through the New Forest I saw his van parked on the side of the road so I pulled over.  Once ready to find him, he appeared and we decided to spend a little more time around the area before heading off to Martin Down.

Despite the fact it was just past 9.00 am the sun was still low and the clouds were stretched across the sky.  Heading down the valley the tree stood out on the horizon with some spectacular clouds above it.

A little further along and the clouds presented an interesting scene around the tree.

We walked up to Leaden Hall where there were Blackbirds and Meadow Pipits on the grass, but no sign of the winter thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfare.  We crossed the plateau and looked across Ashley Hole, some ponies were catching the sunshine on their manes as they galloped on the other side of the valley.

It was very very quiet so we headed back across the plateau and then down the slope to the stream.  Once again another interesting sky framing the tree.

As we started up the other side Ian picked up a raptor and at first our hopes soared, then we realised that it was a Red Kite.  Interestingly I don't recall ever having seen a Red Kite here.

So it was off to Martin Down, somewhere I have never visited before at this time of year.  Parking at the end of Sillen Lane we walked off up the slope towards the ditch armed with the thermal cameras to scour the grass in the hope of finding Short-eared Owl.  A Red Kite drifted over and there were plenty of Sheep in the area we were looking for them, but there was no heat source around that screamed Shortie at us.

We headed for the Flycatcher wood and walked through the middle scanning the leaf litter for possible Woodcock, but like the owls they were not present.  As the path opened out as we passed the wood we did find some Pheasants.  It was though a glorious day even if the wind was now quite strong and cold.

We walked back down the tracks to the cars where we had lunch and then decided to head back to the New Forest once again.  We walked down the slope in sunshine.  We are now close to the winter solstice which will take place on Saturday.  The sun was at its highest but was sending the glorious winter sunshine across the bracken and heather, that hopefully later we would see Hen Harrier crossing.

We stood at the bottom of the valley and could scan all around the ridges.  Distantly we picked up another Red Kite and several Buzzards.

The view looking east along the stream

And then turning around to look west.

A distant Raven's call soon became the actual bird and it flew around us calling.

The classic diamond shaped tail.

To look for the harriers we walked up the side of the valley to a spot where it was possible to scan the distant ridge.  The sun was quite bright and low, but at the same time was lighting up the valley below.

At 14.25 I picked up a Hen Harrier on the ridge heading west, I followed it with binoculars before trying with the camera.  The arrow helps point out a very poor record shot

We then had another sighting of a Hen Harrier on the ridge heading east, this time another Ring Tail.  At the same time Ian picked up a bird of prey that as it banked above the ridge looked very much like a Goshawk.  The skies were menacing behind us and a rainbow appeared above the distant copse.

Then from nowhere a male appeared in front of us.  The Grey Ghost came down the slope and then banked away to the east.  Distant still but I was able to get some better images.

These the best two images.

So two views of Ringtail and one of a male.  Then another Ringtail appeared with a male along the ridge, this time heading west.  The male dropped below the horizon and was then seen being mobbed by a small falcon, probably a Merlin.  The female continued above the ridge and I managed a record shot.

They hung around just below the setting sun that made things a little difficult for viewing.  At one point it looked like the two were displaying, flying up and down in the air.  So to summarise the afternoon.  Two views of a male and three of Ringtails, whether they were the same birds and we saw a male and ringtail or there were two and three respectfully remains to be seen.  However it was a great end to a day that struggled early on.

16th December - Keyhaven - Lymington Reserve, Hampshire

Family commitments kept me away over the weekend, but I was able to get out today and the weather seemed like it was going to be have after some dull conditions on Sunday.  I met Ian at the Sea Wall car park at the end of Lower Pennington Lane.  As I arrived a Raven flew over calling.  Once Ian arrived we headed off across the Old Tip towards Fishtail Lagoon.  The water level was a little better and there was good numbers of duck and geese across the water.

We were looking for a recently reported Long-tailed Duck.  This lagoon is unusual for this species and it was preening very close to the path.

Whenever a Long-tailed Duck turns up you always hope for an adult male, this though is a darker form of female, the females lack the pink tip seen on the bill of the male.

This duck was quite unconcerned as we dropped down the path to watch and photograph at a low level.

It was preening vigourously, using the bill to oil the feathers essential for a diving duck.

Then some wing flapping in the water which had us waiting for a comprehensive wing flap.

However it continued to flap the wings in the water.

Then after missing one wing flap I finally captured the wing flap.

We then moved on and after checking Keyhaven Lagoon we turned back and made our way east towards Butts and Jetty.  A lovely drake Pintail on Fishtail.  It was with others close in up ending.

Walking past the Jetty offshore there were five Red-breasted Merganser and a little further along a lone female.

In the gorse at the east end of the Pennington Lagoon a male Stonechat was showing very well.

A drake Wigeon on Oxey Marsh.

As we walked up to Normandy Marsh we could see a good number of Spoonbill, but before we could investigate them, there was a Spotted Redshank in the ditch on the west side of the marsh.

the deeper water meant it had to swim.

Then it was spooked and flew across the water then settling in the first pool.

So time to reflect on the Spoonbill.  All stood together we count 34 birds which is the highest count for anywhere in the county beating the last high count of 23.

I was then distracted from the Spoonbill when all the small waders on the islands went up.  We couldn't find the reason why Dunlin and Ringed Plover felt the need to take to the sky.

Walking around the marsh it was a better view of the Spoonbill from the south side.

And then in the sunshine.

A better view of the Avocet, there were 24 together.

Standing on the sea wall there was a Spotted Redshank on the edge of the lagoon below us.  At this time of year they are greyish brown but still have the light fringes on the feathers that give a spotted appearance.  However it is the bright red at the base of the lower mandible  and the supercillium that stands them out from the Common Redshank.

Avocet, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank are very elegant waders, I suppose you can include Marsh Sandpiper this year in the group.  Here a very elegant stance.

A drake Goldeneye was diving in the middle of the lagoon, but had now come a little closer to the sea wall.

Walking around to the west side the Goldeneye was closer.

The west side was also a good place to watch the waders as they took to the air once more.

One Spoonbill had broken ranks from the 34 and flown to the pool in the north west corner.  As we walked towards it a Greenshank was feeding on the edge of the water.

A Pintail was upending.  Their long necks allow them to feed in deeper water than say the Mallard, or Shoveler, but here the Pintail was frantically paddling to keep it under.

Coming up you can see the mud on the bill and drake as it dug around on the floor of the lagoon.

We stayed in place waiting for the Spoonbill to break away and three did so and were then joined by another, an immature bird, showing the black tips to the wing feathers.

Dropping down elegantly on to the pool.

Another came in a little later.

This one decided to leave us and fly around the lagoon before settling in the north east corner.

As we left Normandy a kingfisher flew past us and it gave us the run around hiding in the branches of the trees alongside the ditch.

Walking around to Pennington we came across the Roe Deer.

Back at the car park, it was a pause for lunch, then back to Fishtail as seven Spoonbill flew in.  The Long-tailed Duck was still diving on the lagoon.

I wanted to catch the duck as it dived, but kept missing it.  Here it was about to dive lifting the head.  Interestingly it did not behave like the Hayling bird earlier in the year.  That bird would snorkel before diving.

Then I managed to get the duck head on.

I finally managed to get the duck as it went through the complete dive sequence and I have capture this in one image.

The Spoonbill were actively feeding on the lagoon.

Walking back the tide was dropping and once again the sluice was blocked.  As we talked to a ranger the Greenshank flew across Butts Bay.

Settling on the mud.

It was good to be out again and with my mate.  Some good birds and better light than for awhile.  Quality birds as well.