25th - 26th January - Pagham Harbour to Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Through the week it has been cold with some heavy frosts, Friday though saw temperatures rising, and when we arrived at the Crab & Lobster it was mild with a light breeze.  The day before their were pictures of frozen water and white frost but there was no way we would encounter those conditions today.

After checking in we set out for a short afternoon walk to the North Wall of the reserve.  Before we left looking out across the car park we could see the tide was still high, and the Brent Geese were moving about.

The walk across the fields from Halsey's Farm was a little difficult with the ground very sticky, there has not been enough rain to make it very wet and muddy, but the surface was wet and sometimes this can be harder to walk on.  It was very quiet all around the fields with only a few Long-tailed Tits accompanying us as we made out way to the wall

As we climbed up onto the sea wall the tide was still very high, and several Wigeon were close in on the water

As we walked along the wall avoiding the muddy pools of water, Teal tumbled off the rocks and into the water swimming out between the stalks of reeds.  The drakes looking superb in the late sunshine.

Wigeon too were dabbling close to the wall

A little further along we came across a couple of birders who were excited by a bird of prey that they could see sitting on a fence post at the back of the Breech Pool.  They were hoping that it was a Merlin, but it turned out to be a Sparrowhawk.

It flew after a small bird that passed, then settled in amongst a bramble bush.

Back on the water the Wigeon were still close in

There was very little else about, and with the high water little mud to attract any waders.  A quick check of the sluice did not produce the Kingfisher either, again, the water was just too high.  It was time to head back with the sky on the horizon showing pink as the sun set.

The forecast for Saturday had not been good earlier in the week, but had improved the closer we got to the weekend.  At dawn there was sunshine, but also cloud and a fresh breeze.  It was still mild though, and the rain was now forecast for later on in the afternoon.

We set off on our normal walk, pausing at the cottage pond at the harbour where a drake Tufted Duck was present, the first time I have seen one here

Who can resist a Tufted Duck?

The tide was out, with high tide being around 16.00.  We walked to the Ferry Pool where there were hundreds of Lapwing in the field,a nd about 200 Wigeon between the field and the pool.  For the first time we went into the new Ferry Hide.  It seems a bit weird sitting in a hide looking out to see birds with huge trucks thundering past.  It has always been like this though, but I never went into the old hide, always preferring to stand outside to view the pool.

On the other side there is some feeders that were being used by both Great and Blue Tits.  Nearby a tree had been blown down with a nest box on it.  This though did not put off a Great Tit that was inspecting the entrance hole

We walked on at first through the mud, then dropping down on to firmer ground.  As we approached Church Norton there were two Grey Heron on the mud.

In a sheltered spot there was Blackthorn flowering, the cold snap not putting them off

After reports through the week of birds on the sea off Church Norton I was expecting to find something, but as I scrambled across the shingle to get a view across the sea there was nothing at all save a Cormorant that flew past.

We walked on, nothing on the Severals pools, and nothing on the sea.  In fact the only birds seen were a few Turnstone searching between the stones on the beach.

Out at sea the Selsey Lifeboat was heading back to the station.  The old Boathouse was closed in April 2017, and replaced by the new modern station.  There are two lifeboats at Selsey, a D class Inshore lifeboat, named "Betty and Thomas Moore" and the boat shown here an all weather Shannon Class Lifeboat, "Denise and Eric"

As we reached the station the lifeboat was being hauled up the beach by a tractor.

After a drink at the aptly named Lifeboat Inn, we made our way back.  The sunny spells of the morning were replaced by thicker cloud, and off shore we could see squally showers, some of which drifted across the land producing some drizzle

A few more birds on the way back, a rather smart adult Herring Gull

And here a pair "dancing" on the grass in an effort to get the worms to rise through the soil

There is usually a good sized flock of Starlings around the East Beach area, but on the way down there had not been any sign of them.  As we came back they were present, and all perching in the bushes.  It seems that they had been bathing somewhere as almost all of them were shaking their feathers

I estimated about 200 to 300 birds present around the East Beach car park.

Back at Church Norton there was still nothing on the sea, and the tide was flowing into the harbour.  At the bottom of the footpath leading to the chapel, a Firecrest was feeding amongst the scrub and bushes.  I had some good views but it was very active, and it wasn't possible to get any photographs, just enjoyed the views of this smart little bird

On the mud close to the path heading around to the hide a Redshank stood in the mud.

Walking to the Ferry Pool Brent Geese flew over coming from the harbour and heading for the fields close to the road.  Out in the harbour there were Pintail, Wigeon, Shelduck, and a group of Avocet, probably around 20 at least.

Just before the end of the path we came across the Brent Geese, probably around about 300.

At the Ferry Pool we used the hide to watch the huge numbers of  Lapwing, which must have been around over a thousand birds, they seemed to be everywhere, in the grass fields, and on the ploughed areas.  With them now were also about 300 Golden Plover.

The suddenly they all took off.  The Lapwing not going far but the Golden Plover took off circling around the area staying high in the sky.

From the hide we walked around to the Long Pool, and I picked out a Spotted Redshank, which then took off across the pool to settle on the far side, moving into the reeds

We made our way back to Sidelsham in some nice sunshine.  The tide was high and every so often Curlew would fly up, from the channels and settling on the marsh, usually only the head and neck to be seen.  On a quiet visit, with very little opportunity for photography this was the best picture of the day.

Once again a rather disappointing visit, the birds here are always a long way off, but today there was a distinct lack of any number of birds.  Still a nice walk, and the weather behaved.

19th January - Blashford Lakes and Black Gutter Bottom New Forest, Hampshire

My constant frustration is that during the week I look out of my office window at clear skies and dry days, I watch the reports come in of birds seen in Hampshire, and things get worse.  Still there is always the weekend, but come Saturday the clouds roll in, and like today as I drive along the M27 west the rain lashes against the windscreen!

I had arranged to meet Ian at Harbridge, and as I arrived the rain had eased but it was still dull damp, and unpleasant.  We were here to try and find the reported Bewick's Swan.  One swan has returned for the last few years, and usually we are given the run around in trying to find it, despite the regular reports.  Last year it took us three visits to catch up with the swan.  Ian has already tried this year without any luck, this was my first attempt.

Slowly the light increased, overhead there were large flocks of Cormorants heading north up the Test valley, in the fields there were a few Mute Swans already grazing on the grass.  We decided to walk the road around past the church.  As we set off I picked up a large flock of Starlings that had come out of roost, and heading out across the farmland.

The field to the north west of the church was full of Mute Swan.  We paused and scanned through the visible flock.  There were 98 swans present, but no sign of a Bewick's.  In front of the swans were Greylag Geese.  As we stood watching more geese arrived to join those already feeding.

We walked away from the junction heading north.  A Raven called and we picked it up being mobbed by a pair of Crows.  In the field east of the road were 16 Egyptian Geese.

We walked up to the farm, with little else of note to report.  A single Buzzard was perched in a dead tree in the middle of a field, probably like us hoping that the rain would ease.

As we made our way back to the cars the rain became much harder, and as a result we didn't explore the fields along the road that turns off to the west.  Back at the cars we walked to the bridge.  I counted in total 176 Mute Swans visible in the area, there were probably more that I couldn't see, and probably, somewhere amongst them a single Bewick's Swan, but once again it had avoided us.

We moved on to Blashford Lakes parking just outside the visitor centre due to the construction work taking place around the main car park.  Our quest was a Yellow-browed Warbler that again had been reported all week, although not the previous day.  As we walked past the Woodland Hide the rain was getting harder.  Walking along the track there were good numbers of Blue and Great tits in the bushes around the path and lake, but no sight or sound of any Long-tailed Tits, the birds the warbler has been associating with.  We walked to the boardwalk, and stood, and stared at the moss and the raindrops falling in the water.  Nothing, the only bird noise was the song of a distant Robin.  We waited but the rain was getting harder.  

So, vowing to return should the weather improve we walked around the the north hide on Ivy Lake.  The hide was busy, and there was no sign of the Bittern, we stood and stared at reeds and raindrops this time, with nothing.  We are not the most patient, and decided to try out the Tern Hide.  We had the hide to ourselves, but there was very little about.  In front of the hide were several Coot and this Little Grebe.

In the bay behind the hide, were good numbers of Pochard, and a further good sized group in the middle of Ibsley Water.  There were also Goldeneye dotted about, mostly females.  To our right the shoreline was dominated by Wigeon, with a few Pintail amongst them.  On the gravel in front of the hide the flock of Linnets were still about finding food amongst the pebbles.

The Pochard would move back and forth, passing in front of the hide

The rain was now constant, and with very little sign of it easing.  Attention then turned to the Coot in front of the hide.  Not a bird that is usually photographed, but there is an attraction about them close up

The pure white cob and bill standing out.

Finally there was a break in the rain, and we took the chance to walk around to the Goosander Hide. Apparently there is some movement in being able to open the footpath that would make the walk a little more interesting, but today we had to walk the gauntlet of the fast cars and deep puddles on the road.

Again the hide was empty, as was the water in front of the hide.  The last time we were here there was a feeding frenzy playing out in front of us.  Today the water was still, into which a pair of Little Grebe swam

These little grebes are very photogenic, there size and fluffed up appearance making them irresistible, and it is also good value when they catch a fish and have to swallow it

The two grebes were apart, but every so often they would pop up close to each other, and on doing so they would call, not sure why, maybe as a contact greeting call, or a stay away threat

A Chiffchaff flew past the hide and avoided the camera as it crept through the bramble.  Another then appeared calling, this time showing quite well as it  searched for insects amongst the bramble.

On the water in front of us there was still little going on.  Surprisingly there were no numbers of Goosander that give the hide its name.  We only managed to find one red head preening on the bank

It looked as if it would stay dry, so we decided to try for the Yellow-browed Warbler once again.  Walking past the silt pond just south of the Woodland Hide a drake Mallard was reflecting inthe dark water of the pond

On reaching the south hide there was more activity than earlier.  A Robin  was on the branches,and movement just off the boardwalk caught my eye, and I saw a small bird dart through the branches.  It stopped on a branch and my first thought was Goldcrest, but the shape was different, with a distinct light wing bar.  It moved again, but the flight was very warbler like.  I managed to get on it again as it flitted about under the branches.  This time I could see the eye stripe above the eye, and knew it was the Yellow -browed Warbler.

The next task was to get Ian onto the bird, which we managed as it crept over the moss covered logs lying on the ground.  After that could we get a photograph.  It was very active, and while I was able to get some good views, I decided not to give these up to try to take a photograph.  This was a first for me in Hampshire, and it has ben a long time since I have seen this lovely little warbler.

Finally it flew off away from us in the direction of the woodland hide.  We followed and found a flock of Long-tailed Tits, a good sign, but we couldn't find the warbler once again  There was a Treecreeper with them which gave some great views as it moved up the bark of a tree close to us.

We scoured the branches of the surrounding trees, there were Blue and Great Tits along with the Long-tailed Tits,and a few Siskin but again no warbler.  A small bird flew into the hedge by the path, but after a wait it turned out this time to be a Goldcrest.

It was starting to rain again, so we gave up on our search, and headed to the north hide to try our luck once again with the Bittern.  Arriving in the hide there was one window free, but not the window from where the Bittern had been seen earlier.

Sitting down a Great Egret flew past the window, and out on the water a single drake Goosander.

A Water Rail crossed the channel on the left hand side of the hide, and then appeared on a cleared patch in the reeds before scurrying away into the reeds.  The Great Egret then reappeared, flying again in front of the reeds and then dropped down into the reeds showing rings on the legs to indicate it was Walter the long staying egret here at Blashford.

I watched Walter wade through the trees and bushes, and then another appeared from the far side of the reed bed.

We could either have stayed and waited for the Bittern, or try for the swan once again.  We were unlikely to get access to the window, so decided to try for the swan.  We were encouraged by the fact that reports indicated that it had been seen in the area we didn't search in the morning.

This time we drove past the church, and this time, turning off Churchfield Lane into Kent Lane. we drove to a safe parking place where we could see a large group of Mute Swans.  Ian finally found the Bewick's Swan feeding on the edge of the group of Mute Swans.

So what next?  It was gloomy and we felt the only thing left was a trip to Black Gutter, there is always the chance of a raptor coming into roost.  Ian had seen two Merlin earlier in the month so we set off.  As I turned left to go through Fordingbridge Ian turned right.  On reaching the parking place at Black Gutter Bottom I waited for him as he toured the A31 to get here!

Walking down to the stream, the scene always inspires me to take the black and white pictures

At the stream, the camera was able to brighten the actual gloom that surrounded us

We scanned the area, and spent sometime watching the horizon for any movement.  A couple of crows passed but little else.  Ian had seen the Merlins previously in a Holly Tree that stands out amongst the bracken to the right of the above picture.  At first the tree was just that a tree, but looking again I noticed a light shape on the right hand of the tree trunk, as you can see here.

We decided that it was a bird and tried to get closer walking through and around the bog.  We did manage to get a little closer, and we could see it was definitely a bird.  It then flew and we could see it was a Merlin, flying away with rapid wing beats and pointed wings.  The colour indicating that it was probably a male.

And that was it, a day that started with frustration delivered in the end with some quality birds.  

12th January - Farlington Marshes, Hampshire

I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon at Farlington.  The weather wasn't fantastic, dark heavy clouds, mild and with a breeze that got stronger through the afternoon.  As I arrived the tide was high, and around the sea wall at the car park were about 30 Brent Geese feeding in the shallow water.  It was going to be an afternoon of Brent Geese.

You can see here that they were alert, and as I got a little too close as I walked along the sea wall they were off out into the middle of the water.

I stopped at the lake where there was a significant wader roost, Black-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Lapwing and Dunlin in between.  There were also a count of 53 Avocet, the majority grouped together at roost but with others spread around the lake feeding.

The duck and waders were joined by more Brent Geese flying in from the harbour.

While Lapwing flew in from around the marshes to join those roosting on the lake.

I walked on, making my way around to Point Field.  The fields were covered in wildfowl, Readily visible were the Brent and Canada Geese, but there were also just as many Wigeon hidden in the long grass, their whistles giving them away.

Scanning the harbour there were Red-breasted Mergansers, a pair of Goldeneye, and a good count of 27 Great-crested Grebe.  I spent some time waiting and looking over the field in the hope of a Short-eared Owl, but there was very little about at all.  I walked through the field and all I could find were three Robins.

The light was beginning fade so I started to walk back, giving up on the hope of an owl.  A single Brent Goose stood in the middle of a small pool.

Teal were in the small streams and pools by the sea wall, and were also quite nervous of me.  Just after I took this it flew off and out into the harbour.

As I approached the Lake I noticed a dark shape in the water.  I had passed several close in that turned out to be wood, but this looked a lot different.  Checking it out I realised it was a seal.

As I walked closer so the seal dived and came closer to me, inquisitive and just as interested in me.  At first I thought it was a Grey Seal, but as I got a better look I could see the more dog like appearance of the head, lacking the sloping forehead of the Grey Seal.

Then finally the softer dog like appearance with a straight on profile.

The lake was full of Brent Geese, as is the case here all the waders seem to be spooked and flew up.  The sky dominated by Lapwing the first to fly.

There was no sign of any raptors to have spooked them, I half expected to see a Marsh Harrier labouring over the reeds but there was nothing.

The Avocet were still present, here 36 of the 53 counted on the Lake.

As I made my way back to the car I picked out three Pintail at roost.

It was only a short visit, but there were bits and pieces about, the seal probably being the highlight, I have not seen one here before, so close to the road.