In Lymington it was not much better, the mist obscured much of the buildings, and it was cold. We had ideas of drink by the river in the sunshine, this though was a faraway dream. The hope was that things would be better in the morning.
Saturday dawned grey and misty, but by the time we were sitting down to breakfast the mist had burned off and the skies were a hazy blue, temperature wise it was much more accommodating. We set off walking through the market in the High Street, and then turned south walking through the houses to reach Normandy Lane. From here we walked the footpath to where it meets the sea wall between Normandy Marsh and Eight Acre Pond.
Coming up onto the sea wall we were greeted with a mill pond calm sea, the tide quite high even though high tide was in the afternoon. The light was watery, while the sun was quite strong it still had no height in the sky, and there were the long shadows of of winter scattered all around. We decided to walk to the west, heading towards Keyhaven for a circular walk/ Along the sea wall Brent Geese fed in the shallow water produced by the rising tide, looking against the sunshine they were silhouetted against the silver grey water.
With the weather being so gorgeous I was surprised not to see any sailing boats on Eight Acre Pond. Little Grebes could be seen at the back of the lake, and of course there were the Tufted Duck. The lake retained an area of dark water due to the shade afforded by the surrounding trees, and this brings out the best in the Tufted Duck, and along with the glorious sunlight it was an invitation not to be missed.
The yellow eye of the Tufted Duck does not provide any emotion in the duck, but contrasts amazingly well with the dark inky blue colours of the head.
They swam closer willing me to take more.
Pulling myself away from the Tufted Ducks I turned to see the Brent Geese on the sea, looking east the light was much better and brought out the delicate dark grey and black of the plumage, the goose reflected nicely in the calm, still water.
We walked on towards Moses Dock, on the small lagoon alongside the dock was a pair of Pintail, the drake another fatal attraction for me, I just can't get enough of this beautiful duck.
Closer in a pair of Teal, the drake enjoying the morning sunshine.
Walking around to Oxey Marsh there were Wigeon also camped out in the grass, content to sit and take in the very unseasonable weather.
While others sat dozing on the water.
The path winds around and heads south, directly into the sun. The water remained very still, and anything on the water would not be able to hide behind the swell. There was a group of eight Great Crested Grebes, and two of this were obviously keen as they engaged in a version of the courtship display, coming up close to each other, raising themselves high in the water and flicking their heads from side to side.
This would then be followed by head bobbing and bending the head back towards the body on the water.
The other grebes were content to swim around and dive, but for this pair love was certainly in the air.
Redshank are commonly seen along the water's edge, and will almost always fly off calling as you become too close. This seems to alert everything else on the water and as a result they all swim away. This Redshank though stood bobbing as we came close, and I liked the way the light accentuated the head against the darkness of the water behind it.
We reached the Jetty Lagoon, and here there were good numbers of Shoveler, incredibly most were males, and they followed each other around as if wanting to ensure they didn't miss out on anything.
There were more Redshank along the shore, and a Spotted Redshank flew over calling heading for Fishtail. A much brighter and little bit larger wader fed on the far side, a Ruff.
The lovely scalloped white fringed feathers on the wings standing out.
It was the perfect day for Bearded Tits, calm, still and with a lovely light to show them off. Unfortunately the beardies had not read the script and were no where to be seen or heard. A Peregrine sat on the block out in the middle of the saltmarsh, and waders were gathering on the rocks as the tide continued its progress creeping in ever higher on to the marsh.
On the far side of Fishtail a Spotted Redshank fed amongst Lapwing, closer in were more Pintail.
Such a beautiful, elegant duck.
Walking on it was Keyhaven Marsh next. The tide was now very high, and tucked away at the back of the marsh, doing what they do best were a pair of Spoonbill. One was definitely asleep, while the other did lift its head.
The lagoon was dominated by Shelduck, with them scattered across the water. Closer in a Spotted Redshank patrolled through the small vegetation, feeding with out the energy usually seen, much more serene, only dabbing at the water rather than plunging head first deep into it.
A large outing of birders were staring out across the saltmarsh, their eyes all focused on the block. Not just one Peregrine this time but two, the pair together biding their time before they set off to terrorize the waders as they seek refuge from the every rising tide.
A female Reed Bunting posed nicely on one of the bushes as we approached Keyhaven Harbour.
We paused in Keyhaven for a welcome drink, sitting outside in warm sunshine at this time of year was very strange. As we walked towards the Ancient Highway I stopped to take in a Mallard on the water, the sunshine once again bringing out the best in the duck.
As we walked along the cycle path Great Tits were singing, but this suddenly stopped as a Sparrowhawk glided over our heads. A little further along a Kestrel appeared, again flying over our heads and settling in a tree on the south side of the path making photography difficult into the sunshine.
I was hoping for butterflies along the path as it runs east west, with a south facing bank. I was also conscious that there maybe an early hirundine over the lakes, a Swallow having been reported earlier that morning. I stopped to check the balancing pond with no luck, but headed on towards Efford Lake.
In the distance we could see gulls above the lake, and they were calling incessantly. In fact I think we even remarked that we wished they would shut up! It was difficult to see what was causing them to be upset, and we assumed it must have been an "internal" dispute. On reaching the lake I scanned the water at the first clear spot, nothing either on or over the water. The gulls continued to call and wheel around further on over the water.
As we reached the next opening in the bushes I noticed a brown shape on the water directly below the gulls. I quickly checked with binoculars, and knew then why the gulls were upset, a Great Skua or Bonxie as I shouted.
It was bathing, totally unconcerned by the attentions of the gulls, and it was going about its ablutions very energetically.
A first for me in Hampshire, and probably some of the best extended views I have had of Great Skua. I have seen them on sea watches distantly passing, and also in Iceland where they are a little more approachable, but not prolonged views like this.
Every so often a Black-headed or Herring Gull would dive down over it, and it would drop low on the water, but would then quickly return to splashing about, washing every feather.
This is an adult bird, the dark cap on the head and wing flashes prominent. The freshwater probably being a nice change after a few months out at sea.
This was probably the same Great Skua seen off Hayling during the week, and one had also been seen at Church Norton on the 21st, and photographed there.
It also turns out that there were reports from Lepe, on the 24th, and Hayling again on the 25th, so the bird continues to move around the area, probably enjoying the weather too.
Finally I sensed it was about to fly. It lay low in the water.
Then pushed off, the feet paddling the water as it skipped across the surface.
It headed towards the far bank much to the concern of the Wigeon that were grazing on the bank.
It landed amongst a flock of Canada Geese that looked as if they were not sure what to do. They were clearly concerned by its presence and would move toward the skua, but never actually making any move to chase it off. The Skua mean while continued to wing flap and preen in the sunshine
Chuffed with a very unexpected find we left it on the far bank and headed out along Lower Pennington Lane. The marsh was empty, hardly any duck at all other than a few Teal. At the back I could just make out a roosting flock of Golden Plover, but nowhere like the numbers there had been a week ago.
We took the footpath off the lane, and as we did so a Peacock butterfly flew up from the hedge, my second butterfly species of the year.
Walking along the lane Great Tits sang in the trees, and there was the feel of Spring. We crossed to Moses Dock once again, and then around to Normandy Marsh. The intention was to walk through the Marina back to Lymington.
Out on the marsh I picked out a Greenshank roosting alongside a Spotted Redshank
A little further on three Avocets in the sunshine
With the sunshine behind me it was perfect, a Teal below me in the ditch.
And a drake Pintail also close in was something I couldn't turn up the chance to photograph.
As we turned the corner, all the waders and duck on the Aden Bank went up. I later found out that the Skua was seen over Oxey Marsh about this time, so maybe this was what was upsetting them. Either way the Knot put on a spectacular show of synchronised flying.
Last week I had struggled to see the distant Scaup in the mist on Normandy Marsh. It was still there today, the view was much clearer but the duck remained quite distant.
With the tide now at its height I scanned the marshes for posts and possible raptors. I couldn't find anything, but did pick out these two Spoonbill out on the Marsh. It is possible they are different birds to those seen on Keyhaven, but my bet would be they are the same. The spoonbill have been very hit or miss, and this may be due to the fact they do move about a lot.
Unfortunately I was not able to provide Helen with a Kingfisher sighting, but there was compensation in an ice cream at the lifeboat station. We made our way back into Lymington to watch the rugby. The Skua had been special shame about the rugby.
The following morning it was blue sky and sunshine once again. It also felt a little warmer. On our way home we decided to have a walk in the New Forest. We parked at Millyford Bridge, and walked the cycle path through the Holmhill inclosure. I could hear Firecrest calling at several locations but didn't get a good view. We turned up the hill at the dead tree towards Acres Down, and above the Larch trees on the horizon I picked up a Goshawk, as alwatys it skimmed the trees but I managed at least one decent shot.
It was warm in the sunny spots and it was no surprise to find butterflies about. A lovely Red Admiral, bizarrely my third butterfly species and February still has 4 days to go.
More singing Firecrests evaded us and we headed up on to Acres Down. Where the path splits were several Brimstones, one unusually for this time of year resting on the bracken.
As we came out onto the down the views were amazing.
Then some frustration, I could hear Woodlark singing, and just managed to pick it out at the top of a distant tree, but it was just that, distant, my partner was not up for a walk through the heather so we moved on.
Again another lovely view at the bottom of the down, unfortunately no woodpeckers calling or drumming
Heading into the wood as we made our way back to the car another butterfly appeared, this time a Comma.
Four butterfly species in February, crazy times.
We made our way back to the car park which was now very full with dogs and families, the timing was just right.
The drive home was difficult due to traffic problems on the M27 and M3. As we pulled on to the drive the resident Red Kite drifted over.
Finally some photographs from in the week I felt deserved a place somewhere.
A Starling in the garden
And a Black-headed Gull at Banstead Heath
The weather will surely not remain, and very soon I expect winter will return, but it has been a lovely distraction, that has shortened winter and raised the spirits!
