Today we were here to follow up on reports of Hawfinch in good numbers, but as we walked around the lakes towards the visitor centre in the gloom and drizzle I had to wonder how successful we would be today. The reports I had was that the Hawfinch feed along the tree line that is situated to your left as you cross the field from the visitor centre towards the path to the hides. In the far corner there is a yew tree, and a five bar gate, and from a distance we could see thrushes, probably Redwing moving about. As we got a little closer Ian picked out two Haw
On reaching the path that turns back on itself to head to the hides we paused at the gate and scanned across the field. On the far side was another Hawfinch sitting at the top of the tree. Then fortunately it flew towards us and perched in a Maple much closer and we were able to get some photographs.
Tops of trees, a very silver grey background and distance do not all make for the perfect picture, and these are very much much just a record of the bird and its behaviour. Branches get in the way, and of course the colour washes out, but it is possible to see the stocky appearance, the huge bill and lovely orange and peach brown plumage along with the grey blue nape, and the black throat patch
Hawfinch are notoriously difficult to see, they are extremely shy birds and are best found in the winter when the leaves have fallen and they can be picked out in the tree tops. Even then there are particular places where they turn up.
This autumn however, exceptional numbers of this special finch have been recorded across Britain, many of them passing overhead at migration watchpoints. It would seem that the much larger populations of this species that exist in Eastern Europe (Germany, Poland, Latvia etc.) have either had a very good breeding season, prompting a mass dispersal, or their food crops have failed (seeds like beech mast and hornbeam, and fruits like hips and haws) causing them to irrupt in search of food sources elsewhere – or a combination of the two. It is a similar situation to what happens in good Waxwing years, when wild berry crops are poor in their breeding countries, and it would appear that the Hawfinches are taking advantage of what seems to be a very productive year for tree seeds and fruit in this country. The last time such significant numbers of Hawfinch irrupted into Britain was at least over a decade ago, if not longer, so this is far from a regular occurrence.
This location at Testwood is a regular sight, and as many as 21 have been counted in recent days. The bird we were watching started to feed on the maple seeds, which are very similar to its preferred Hornbeam, a tree though that is in short supply locally, while there are plenty of Maple and Sycamore here.
A lovely bird that we just wished we could get closer to.
Finally it flew away, and we decided to walk on around the reserve. Unfortunately the hides were not open until 10.00am, and we were left peering through the fence to see four Great White or Great Egrets as they are now known, on Meadow Lake.
We decided to walk back to the visitor centre and to continue the search for some more Hawfinch. As we approached the gate once again, there was a flock of Bullfinches in the trees along the path, another finch with a sizeable bill. The males flew off leaving this female in the branches.
As we approached the five bar gate in the corner once again Redwing and Meadow Pipits flew up from the grass, and as we got closer so did at least six Hawfinch. They disappeared into the leaves and branches, and we were left looking up and into the trees, and listening to the ticking calls of the Hawfinch.
Every so often there would be a fleeting view, with the bird frustratingly appearing behind a tangle of branches. Finally one did appear out in the open, but at quite a distance for a reasonable shot.
It is possible though, once again to make out the discernible features.
We waited some more, but finally decided that now would be a good time to change the scenery, and rather than stare at bare trees and branches, to turn our attention to reeds in the hope of seeing the reported Bittern.
We walked back to the Heron Hide on Meadow Lake, and settled down, finally at a window. The Four Great Egrets were all on the lake, two were distant at the back of the lake as you looked out from the hide, one to the right the other in the reeds on the left hand corner. At one point these two came quite close to each other and you coould tell from the stretched necks that this was not acceptable. The other two egrets were closer, one standing on the exposed island in the middle of the lake, the other closer to the hide in shallow water.
Pausing with ruffled feathers.
Then it decided to fly around and join the other egret on the island.
The egret on the island was a little larger than the bird flying in, and the egret in residence was not too pleased to be joined and made its displeasure known.
Chasing off the smaller egret, that was possibly a female.
And sending it back to stand with the Black-headed Gulls.
In front of the hide three Pochard were diving.
And with them a smart male Tufted Duck, who can resist them?
The Great Egret that was sitting on the island decided to fly off to the left hand side lower corner. It is conceivable that these four Great Egrets have divided the lake into quarters for territories.and accepting that they only come together in the middle. As it flew it cast a white reflection across the dull water.
A lone Little Egret had also been roosting on the island, it is unusual to think that this now common bird was out-numbered by its larger cousin, I wonder how long it will take before the Great Egrets become as numerous as the Little Egret.
The Little Egret flew to a post just below the hide window, and allowed the opportunity to capture some lovely portraits of the bird.
White birds are always a challenge to photograph especially against a dark background of the water. This Egret settled down for an extensive preen in front of us
Raising the feathers on its head to produce a crest.
This Little Egret was sporting some wonderful feather plumes that would move as the egret preened.
They are becoming overlooked these days as their numbers increase, but deserve a closer look because the feather plumes are wonderful, and were one of the reasons for their decline, as the plumes were used for hat decorations.
A pair of Great-crested Grebes, another bird previously persecuted for its feathers,were also present. They were first year birds and spent much of the time together.
Even going through a mock display, coming up to each other face on, and shaking their heads.
A large flock of Wigeon flew through with a few settling in front of the hide. This drake going through some wing stretches.
One of the great-crested Grebes came close to the hide, swimming through the water's reflections.
All this activity in front of the hide was a distraction from the main purpose of the visit,staring into the reed bed on the far side in the hope of something appearing. This though had not produced the desired outcome, and we decided that enough was enough.
We made our way back to the visitor centre where we had a brief view of another two Hawfinches at the top of the trees before walking back to the cars. It was still very murky, and there was drizzle in the air, but the forecast was for it to clear, and away too the west were signs of brightness. We decided to head east, with a visit to Hayling Oyster beds, and then back to Farlington hopefully for the late afternoon.
As we drove along the M27 we encountered quite a heavy rain storm, and it was still raining as we pulled into the car park at the Oyster Beds. We waited for it to clear while having lunch, then set off around the pools. The tide was still quite high despite the fact that it was high tide about two hours ago. On the islands around the beds were large flocks of roosting Oystercatchers, Grey Plover and Dunlin, while in the lagoons were several Red-breasted Mergansers. On another of the islands a lone Curlew fed amongst the sea weed.
There was a bizarre incidence of a Kestrel attacking a Magpie, only for the Magpie to be supported by two others in chasing the Kestrel away. In the main lagoons was a male Red-breasted Merganser close to the shore, they are always very nervous, and will immediately swim away.
This one then taking to the air to get away quickly.
The wind was very strong now, and while this is an exposed area it was not expected to be this windy, and we wondered about the conditions on Farlington. We decided though to move on, stopping at the break in the lagoon where the water rushes out as the tide falls. There were several mergansers here, along with Brent Geese and a single Herring Gull.
We disturbed a Kingfisher from the side of the path as headed to the car. It flew off across the water and we turned back to see if we could get a better view only for it to fly again and out of sight. With the tide now falling fast a flock of Black-tailed Godwits fed and chattered in the shallow water close to the path.
At Farlington the tide was well out, and there was a considerable amount of mud exposed. As we parked we could hear Brent Geese below us feeding in the shallow water and mud.
It was only 14.30, but the gloom had returned, fortunately the rain had kept away. Our quest here was to try and see the Short-eared and Barn Owl that once again had been reported the previous day. The wind was now not so strong, but the gloom would be a problem for us.
The lake was empty save for a few Teal and Mallard roosting close to the reeds. There were several "pings" from the reed bed, but despite stopping and waiting no Bearded Tits showed.
On the other side of the sea wall Pintail fed in the water and mud. With the gloom the photographs become quite grainy which gives this shot the feel of a water colour painting.
There had been as many as three Kestrels hunting as we walked around the sea wall. As we watched one it dropped like a stone into the garss by the side of the wall, and then came up carrying something that looked like a vole or mouse. It then flew to a ridge a little way from the sea wall, and we walked towards it to get a better view.
It sat over its prey, tearing small pieces off that we could just see.
On reaching Point Field we walked around it, scanning the grass from the sea wall for signs of any roosting owl, then through it, in the hope of surprising one. Walking down to the gate that looks out over the main marshes we noticed spikes on the posts. These have been put there to deter the birds of prey and Carrion Crows from using the posts as perches from which to hunt the chicks of duck and Lapwing. Apparently the numbers that have fledged have been down due to the increased predation by Crows and Buzzards, and it is expected that this can be managed by deterring them from using the posts. From the gate though Ian picked up a Marsh Harrier hunting over the distant reed bed.
Back up on the sea wall there was no sign of any owl activity, the Brent Geese flew onto the marshes from the harbour.
A little further on the Brent and Wigeon all flew up from the marshes and we could just pick out the Marsh Harrier once again flying above the marsh and reed bed.
Spots of rain were now falling, and looking away to the west the visibility was poor, more rain was on the way, and with it the end of any chance of seeing any owls, Short-eared or Barn. We walked back past the Information centre, and then through the bushes. A Peregrine flew over us, but the cameras were all covered up, it was not hunting and disappeared over the A27.
Back at the car park another Kestrel appeared hunting over the scrub grass by the sea wall. It was very dark, and as a result the photograph was blurred as well as dark, but some how captures the bird in its essence.
Two Saturdays of gloom and rain, hopefully next time will be better, however like last week the birds were very good, my first Hawfinches for sometime, and some interesting shots of the more exotic egrets that brightened up a dull November day.
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