A break in the constant rain was forecast today and it was under clear skies and a cold temperature that I drove west once more to meet Ian at Acres Down in the car park. This was a rare early start for me, arriving just around sun rise. We were here for that early spring event, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming on the usual tree. So were a lot of others too, it wasn't full but there were quite a few cars in the car park when I arrived.
We decided not to stand around for the woodpecker to start and walked on towards Hart Hill, passing the Tawny Owl tree who wasn't showing this morning. Coming up the hill the sun was rising above the trees and catching the conifers at the top of the hill.
There has been a significant amount of forestry work in the area, but there is still a good number of Scots Pine and it was from these that a male Crossbill flew and perched in a lone tree to take in the warmth of the rising sun. The sunlight catching the red plumage on the back.
The Crossbill has a name that does exactly what it says on the tin. The upper and lower mandibles of the beak are crossed at the tip, a specialised adaptation to allow them to feed on the conifer seeds. The bill works by gaining leverage to separate the scales of the cone, allowing them to use their tongue to get to the seed.
The females are much drabber in a greyish green plumage.
As with many birds there is legend that helps explain their nature. The Crossbill is said to get its crossed bill from trying to extract the nails from the cross that Jesus was crucified on and that the male got its red plumage from the blood of Christ as the bird tried to help him.
We saw several and also heard them as they sang from the top of the conifers.
We made our way back to the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker tree, where quite a crowd was now gathered. I joked to Ian that it was like a theatrical event and all we needed was the flashing lights and curtains to rise.
In an hour's wait the woodpecker never appeared. Last year it was seen drumming in January, but is normally starting in late February, so maybe last year was just an exception. There is still plenty of time to catch up with it. Still we did have the Stock Dove once again.
We walked up to the down where the views today were exceptional.
We couldn't find any Woodlark walking around the gorse, but we did come across a pair of Dartford Warblers.
The male was both calling and singing.
Showing off some acrobatics.
Singing in the sunshine at the top of the gorse.
We spent some time at the viewing point and was treated to at least four distant Goshawks above the trees. Walking back from the re we crossed the cleared area. A Mistle Thrush was singing from the birch trees,
We walked south with no sign or sound of any Woodlark, but some incredible scenery.
Looking south west towards Boulderwood.
Winter silver birches against a winter blue sky.
Really special in black and white.
Last Monday I had searched for the Great Grey Shrike at Stoney Cross without any luck and it hasn't been reported since, but that morning there was a report. It was close so Ian and I decided to give it a go.
A short drive and we walking parallel to the A31 once again and scanning with the same sort of luck. There wasn't any sign of the shrike when we reached Lucas Castle. This Oak tree did stand out though, looking like a Baobab, but apparently one of the oldest trees in the New Forest.
We felt that there might be more luck down in the valley known as Withybed Bottom, so we waded through the mud and streams and came across an area that had thrushes and Meadow Pipits and a distant Red Kite in a birch tree. We kept going and as we walked along the bottom I saw movement at the top of a bush and there at the top was the Great Grey Shrike.
Distant, but we had found the shrike, then it was off and flew to some gorse, unfortunately with the sun behind it.
Then it flew to another tree top, then across to the area we had been searching in earlier. Much better light and closer.
The Great Grey Shrike is now a scarce autumn and winter visitor to the United Kingdom. Last year we had none in the forest, this year there has been reports of three in different locations.
Their diet is one of a carnivorous nature and the they will take small birds and mammals mammals, reptiles and insects. The habits of the shrike is a little macabre, instead of consuming their prey immediately they will impale it on the spikes of a thorn bush, building up a larder. In their defence the shrikes do not possess the kind of feet that assist raptors in tearing up prey, so they have to position their prey in a secure manner to allow them to tear up the prey.
A move to another tree and once again the highest point to allow good visibility around the area.
Always good to see a Great Grey Shrike, even better in wonderful winter sunshine.
The Shrike then flew off and we tried to re-locate but couldn't. We were though able to get closer to the Red Kite in the Silver Birch.
Quite a pale head colour.
The Red Kite flew off and we stuck around to scan for the shrike but were not able to find it. The sun was dropping and we decided it was time to head home.
