An opportunity for me to look back on the events of 2023 and to put up some of my favourite photographs from the year.
January
The month started as the previous year had finished, unsettled, my first outing was to Hill Head to clear the air after New Year. The serious stuff started on the 7th with a trip to Blashford Lakes, initially in pouring rain and the highlight was my first sighting of one of the Isle of Wight introduced White-tailed Eagles, it appeared as we were having lunch and headed over Ivy Lake, unfortunately I didn't manage any clear photographs. Other highlights on the day were a female Mandarin Duck, Red-crested Pochard and a Great Egret.
Back home the local Tawny Owls had been calling in the early morning and on the 11th I finally managed to see one as it flew past the house and over the garden.
The first major sighting of the year in Hampshire was a Sabine's Gull seen from the middle of the month, I finally caught up with it at Southmoor on the 18th. Incredibly it was an adult in full breeding plumage and was very confiding, probably due to the fact it had been fed in exchange for close photographs. An amazing record for the county, probably something I will never encounter again.
In the afternoon I paid a visit to Posbrook Flood where the four Glossy Ibis put on a show in the afternoon sunshine.
The 20th and 21st I was at Farlington, the Short-eared Owls performed well from Point Field, but as 2023 was a very good year for local Short-eared Owls I am preferring to put up this atmospheric shot of a Pintail, the water reflecting the evening sunset on the 21st.
The 28th saw me after another rare visitor to Hampshire, a Shore Lark on Hurst Spit, after a trek around the shingle, staring at any possible movement I finally managed to find it and it then showed extremely well.
Other notable sightings on the day were Red-breasted Merganser, several Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, and a Slavonian Grebe offshore.
February
An early start at Black Gutter Bottom in the New Forest on the 4th saw both Merlin and a nice male Hen Harrier coming out of the roost and then a little later a distant Great Grey Shrike at Shatterford. In the afternoon a visit to Mercer Way in Romsey delivered a nice male Hawfinch.
It was back to Black Gutter on the 11th, with this time a ring-tail Harrier leave the roost and another Merlin, then Hurst Spit to allow Ian to get the Shore Lark on his return from Costa Rica. Walking around Keyhaven-Lymington Reserve in the afternoon there were good sightings of Spoonbill, Slavonian Grebe and Dartford Warbler.
On the 18th Ian and I were back in the New Forest looking for the specialties around Acres Down. We were successful with Woodlark, Crossbill, Firecrest and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
In the afternoon we walked around Lower Test Marshes and then to Redbridge Wharf for another rare gull a second calendar year Iceland Gull that showed excellently from the bandstand.
Walking back to the cars we came across a Peregrine on one of the many pylons that cover the marshes.
On the 25th February it was time around Titchfield, along the canal path the Barn Owl was showing well in the split tree. It was from there a short trip to Daedalus for the Black Redstarts and surprisingly a Dartford Warbler. Back at the Haven in the afternoon there were Eider offshore, a surprise male Pochard on the river and a Firecrest singing on the east side
March
The month started with a trip to Elmley in Kent. Travelling to Kent I had a flock of five Ring-necked Parakeets fly over the motorway at Leatherhead. Around Elmley on the 4th there were plenty of Marsh Harriers a pair of Ruff, Short-eared Owl and a Little Owl showing well at the Old School House.
As I was leaving there were two Grey Partridges around the car park.
On the 5th March, I met up with Ian at Farlington Marshes, highlights were Spoonbill, Mediterranean Gulls, and Avocet, from there it was a short journey to the Oysters Beds on Hayling Island, where there were Red-breasted Mergansers, Goldeneye, three Black-necked Grebes and the pre breeding gathering of many Mediterranean Gulls. It was then off to Warblington for the Cattle Egret, something I am sure we will not have to do next year.
Late afternoon it was back to Farlington for three Short-eared Owls, and very showy Kingfisher and Dartford Warblers.
The 18th it was back to the Titchfield Canal Path and the Barn Owl once again, at Hill Head the Sanderlings showing well in the roost as the tide rose. This photograph now sits proudly above my bed.
An afternoon visit to Browndown South found one male Adder in the afternoon spring sunshine and three Brimstones, the first of the year.
The last weekend of the month it was the Keyhaven-Lymington Reserve and my new toy, an upgrade on the camera to an EOS R7, a mirrorless body and new 100-500mm lens. There was some getting used to the camera and the many functions, but of the many usual species seen this image brought home to me the benefit of the upgrade.
April
April started with high winds and heavy rain, so it was Titchfield and the hides on the 1st. The gulls were busy pre-breeding with good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls present. The afternoon saw the first of all the hirundines over Posbrook with the four Glossy Ibis still present.
On the 8th in better weather it was back to Titchfield and the first Whimbrel offshore and Chiffchaffs and Blackcap on Brownwich Cliffs. In the afternoon at Farlington Marshes there were two Little Gulls on the stream, with Bearded Tits showing well and Peacock butterflies in the sunshine.
On the 15th it was a visit to a site in North West Hampshire for Stone Curlew that showed briefly, along with Brown Hare, Yellowhammer, Wheatear, Swallow and Corn Bunting. In the late morning it was a rare early spring visit to Martin Down that produced the first Whitethroat of the year and early butterflies Peacock, Brimstone and Speckled Wood. The day was completed with a female Scaup at Blashford in the afternoon.
On the 22nd it was the Keyhaven - Lymington Reserve and migration had really started. Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel on Fishtail. Bar-tailed Godwits and more Whimbrel in Butts Bay.
In the reeds there were Reed and Sedge Warbler singing and a Willow Warbler along Pennington Lane. The walk to Normandy produced more Bar-tailed Godwits on Oxey Marsh.
A very showy Whitethroat also on Oxey.
At Normandy there was Lesser Whitethroat in the bushes of the horse field, Spotted Redshank, Little and Common Tern, more Avocet and Bar-tailed Godwits and displaying Great Crested Grebes.
In the afternoon a visit to Pig Bush in the New Forest produced another Willow Warbler, a calling Cuckoo, Dartford Warbler and a very smart Redstart amongst the fallen trees and horse poo!
And to round off the day a Firecrest in the holly around the car park.
The month ended with another visit to Titchfield Haven on the 29th. Along the Canal path there were two calling Cuckoos, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. On the reserve the West Hide had a singing Grasshopper Warbler and a drake Garganey on the south scrape. In the afternoon there were two Hobbys over the lakes at Fishlake Meadows, where there was a good showing of butterflies in Comma, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Small White,
May
If it is May then it is always Martin Down. A trip there on the 7th produced the usual migrant warblers. Martin Down has become a great place to get close views of Brown Hare and today was no different.
There was a good showing of Early Purple Orchids, Raven and Red Kite over and Cuckoos calling. Notable butterflies along the ditch were Small Copper, Grizzled Skipper, Orange Tip and a very early Painted Lady. Another specialty of the site is the Corn Bunting and they were in song all over the reserve.
My first Swift of the year was over the A331 at Farnham on the journey home from work. From the 11th to the 14th May we were away in Norfolk, it was RSPB Lakenheath on the 11th, highlights were two Common Cranes, Cuckoo, Sedge and Reed Warbler and this fly past from a Bittern.
We were treated to close views of Grey Partridge in the gardens of where we were staying, just outside Snettisham.
On the 12th the temperature dropped with the wind turning to the north. We spent the morning at RSPB Titchwell, fortunately the hides provided a warm refuge from the weather and the chance to watch Little Ringed Plover and a very close Spoonbill.
The cold weather remained on the 13th and a brief visit to Cley, where there was a short glimpse of Short-eared Owl. Swift and Sand Martin over the pools and nesting Avocet on the beach.
Back in Hampshire, it was Martin Down once again on the 20th with singing Garden Warbler, a short piece of song from an elusive Turtle Dove, a reliable site over the years for this species is now seeing their numbers fall considerably. Along the Jubilee trail there were more Brown Hare, Firecrest and Spotted Flycatcher.
When the sun came out in the morning there were plenty of butterflies along the Bokerly Ditch, most were firsts for the year, Adonis and Common Blue, Grizzled Skipper and Small Blue
Later in the morning Holly Blue, Orange Tip and quite a few Brown Argus.
Aside from the birds there were some beautiful orchids, Pyramidal, Common Spotted and the lovely Bee Orchid.
There were meadows of wild flowers and of course butterflies such as Adonis Blue, Small Heath, Small Skipper and the highly localised Lulworth Skipper.
On the 10th it was Martin Down once again. The orchids were now in bloom, with the Greater Butterfly, Fragrant, both Chalk and Heath, Common Spotted, Pyramidal and the last throws of the Burnt TIp.
I had a wonderful encounter with a young Brown Hare, it came so close to me I could almost have reached out and picked it up.
June was exceptionally warm and the visit to Martin Down was curtailed early in the afternoon because it was jut too hot to walk.
On the 17th I went on a wild goose, or maybe it should be Swallowtail, chase around Dover in Kent. We will never know if the Swallowtail butterflies seen there were true migrants or releases, I don't care as i never saw them. On the way back I stopped off at Blean Wood for the Heath Fritillary.
Completed the day with a first visit to Oare Marshes where there was an eclipse Garganey.
On the 24th Ian and I started the day in Alver Woods with high views of White Hairstreak. Around the garden centre there were Ring-necked Parakeet. In the grasses around the area we also had Essex and Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and the lovely Marbled White.
From Alver, the short trip to Whitely and the first search for the Purple Emperor, we were not successful, but did manage to find some firsts for the year, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral.
There were also good numbers of dragonflies, Broad-bodied Chasers, Black-tailed Skimmers, Beautiful Demoiselle, Emperor and the stunning Golden-ringed Dragonfly.
My life was about to change and as we moved towards the end of the month I decided it was time for a lunchtime visit to Abbotts Wood on the 29th. Aside from good views of Ringlet, Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral, I had some stunning views of Purple Emperor, my best yet.
And as the month ended so did my working career.
July
On the 1st it was back to Abbotts Wood to try and get Ian some good views of Purple Emperor, for once we were successful. As well as the emperors there were Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak of note. In the afternoon we visited Broxhead Common for the first time and found the first Gatekeeper of the year and a few Silver-studded Blues.
The 3rd saw my first outing as a retiree, I chose Old Winchester Hill and met Ian there for the morning. There were plenty of butterflies about, with good numbers of Dark-green Fritillary, Red Admiral, Large and Small Skipper, Hummingbird Hawkmoth and good numbers of Marbled White in the grasses.
While it was never going to be about the birds there were some great views of Yellowhammer.
On the 6th we set off to Cornwall for the week, stopping off along the ay at Dartmoor where I saw my first High Brown Fritillary around Aish Tor.
On the 7th a stop at Helman Toor on Bodmin Moor produced a couple of Wall Brown.
On the 12th we went out on a boat from Falmouth to cruise off shore. This produced my first ever Rosso's Dolphins a group of four individuals.
I had hoped for some encounters with Storm Petrels but we didn't see any, the majority of birds were large flocks of Gannet and Manx Shearwaters.
On the 13th we walked from Sennen Cove to Land's End. The highlight here was a flock of four Chough on the cliffs around the Sennen Look out.
Back home it was Titchfield Haven on the 16th, on a cool day. The first Common Sandpipers were in Duck Bay, while the south scrape was busy with the comings and going of the Black-headed Gulls and Common and Sandwich Terns. Unfortunately the nesting was badly hit by Avian Flu this year and over 200 dead birds were removed from the reserve.
Later in the morning a second calendar year Little Gull appeared briefly on the scrape in front of the hide.
In the afternoon we made the annual pilgrimage to the stunted oaks on Browndown South in search of Purple Hairstreak but we found only one, but this showed well.
Also notable were three Painted Ladies and very tuneful Small Skipper.
On the 18th a return visit to Old Winchester Hill was incredible with so many butterflies about. The most numerous were the Red Admiral with literally hundreds of then scattered all around the reserve. I managed to find one Chalkhill Blue a first for the year.
On the 25th it was back to Titchfield Haven. Early morning there was a Gannet and three Black Tern offshore. On the scrape three Common Sandpipers were taking advantage of the emerging flies on the water.
On the 27th I was able to catch up with the Osprey at Fishlake Meadows. At the end of the month on the 29th an impromptu sea watch off Hill Head saw a brief view of a Storm Petrel heading west about 500 metres offshore, it showed for a very short while but was a very welcome life tick.
August
On the 1st I met Ian at Shipton Belinger on a warm, but initially overcast morning. We were looking for Brown Hairstreak and once the sun burnt the cloud away we were treated to some wonderful views of this beautiful little butterfly.
Walking along the line of trees there were plenty of butterflies and we were also treated to at least four Hummingbird Hawkmoths.
In the afternoon we stopped off at Fishlake Meadows where there were two Great Egrets and two Ospreys that showed well.
On the 7th an early morning visit to Old Winchester Hill produced good numbers of migrants that had clearly arrived overnight. There were counts of 38 Willow Warblers, 12 Chiffchaff 15 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a single Tree Pipit. As the sun came up there were good amounts of butterflies too, the most numerous being the Chalkhill Blue on the south slopes, but with a supporting cast of Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillary, Painted lady and late Marbled Whites.
in the afternoon a trip to Farlington Marshes saw the first Curlew Sandpiper of the year.
On the 10th it was an early morning visit to Farlington. The highlight were 11 Harbour Seals on the flats in the harbour and they were calling which was quite eery.
Later it was Warsash, where there was a Wheatear on the TLC field, but little else. In the afternoon at Titchfield, there were at least six Cattle Egret and a Wheatear on the Frying Pan, but the highlight was a first for the reserve and me, a Willow Emerald Damselfly.
On the 12th it was a visit to the Keyhaven - Lymington Reserve. It produced the usual birds for the time of year, plus a migrant Redstart on Fishtail. Three Curlew Sandpiper on Keyhaven and a general all day movement of Sand Martin.
At Titchfield on the 15th there was one Cattle Egret amongst the cattle along the Canal Path, seven Bearded Tits from the Meon Shore Hide, where there were two Common Sandpiper. later the Wood Sandpiper showed on the causeway.
On the east side the Willow Emerald was still present as was a Ruddy Darter.
On the 17th on Old Winchester Hill a first for me were Autumn Ladies Tressie's on the slopes. Migrants included Redstart and Willow Warbler in the bushes, while on the south slopes of the old fort were plenty of Chalkhill Blues and the first Silver-spotted Skippers of the year.
On the 19th at Titchfield there was a single Wood Sandpiper on the Bridge Street Floods. On the reserve were two Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and a Kingfisher.
The highlight of a trip to Farlington on the 21st were three Yellow Wagtails on the Lake and the first Brent Goose of the autumn, a very early bird on the Lake too.
Titchfield Haven on the 26th had a Cattle Egret along the Canal Path and a Redstart in the horse field. On the reserve the highlights were the Spotted Redshank, three Little Stint, a single Green Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier.
On the 29th I went to Warsash looking for Yellow Wagtails and found six adults amongst the horses on the TLC. The search for Whinchat at Hook was not so successful. At Titchfield the highlight was a Kingfisher from the Spurgin Hide and an eclipse male Garganey on the south scrape.
September
The first week of September was spent in the Derbyshire Peaks which was not really a birding trip, but I did manage to year tick Dipper in Dove Dale on the 4th'
On the 9th a immature Turtle Dove was present along Ranvilles Lane in Titchfield, there were also some migrants present, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler. On the reserve later in the day notable were a flock of twelve Cattle Egret that came down the Meon, a Clouded Yellow that flew past the Meon Shore Hide and three Whinchat on the surrounding fence.
Keyhaven - Lymington Reserve on the 12th had two Little Stint, three Curlew Sandpipers, a Ruff and nine Knot on Fishtail. Two Spoonbill on Jetty and more Curlew Sandpiper on Pennington. At Normandy incredible numbers of Ringed Plover estimated around 500 but downgraded by the bird recorder. Finally three Cattle Egret on Pennington finished the day off.
On the 14th it was a mid morning start at Farlington, more Cattle Egret and a dozen Yellow Wagtail in the Hay field and two Whinchat along the sea wall.
At the Lake eclipse Wigeon and Pintail, twenty one Greenshank, four Curlew Sandpipers and two Bar-tailed Godwits. Titchfield Haven in the afternoon had two more Curlew Sandpipers on the south scrape along with a single Golden Plover.
My first trip to RSPB Rainham Marshes for some time on the 16th was a chance to meet up with an old friend. Highlights were an immature Long-tailed Skua on the river Thames, while on the reserve there were Whinchat, Hobby and Bearded Tits showing well in the reeds.
On the 21st it was back at Titchfield and a walk down the Canal Path. On Posbrook Floods were four Great Egret.
October
The 5th I was back at Titchfield Haven saw movements of Siskin and Skylark over the Canal Path and two Great Egrets on Posbrook Floods. On the reserve a Water Rail, and Green Sandpiper were the highlight. On the walk back along the Canal Path, two Glossy ibis were taking fish from Little Egret.
On the 7th Ian and I went to RSPB Arne where were saw the almost resident Forster's Tern amongst a few Sandwich. In addition an Osprey over the reserve and Wall Brown on the cliffs.
Over the last few years there have been reports of the Long-tailed Blue butterfly along the south coast. Having been reported in September and unable to see them, I thought I had lost the chance, so when one turned up at Portsdown Hill on the 9th I went and was successful Life tickets for butterflies in the UK are rare so was really happy.
One feature of October was the warm weather which delivered huge numbers of Red Admiral all moving south.
On the 12th the sightings from Posbrook Floods was more like a Mediterranean site. Two Great Egret, three Glossy Ibis and two Cattle Egret amongst the cattle.
The Cattle Egret were still showing well when I walked back in the afternoon.
A hoped for movement of thrushes mid month saw Ring Ouzel at Butser Hill on the 16th.
Titchfield Haven on the 19th saw a female Sparrowhawk, attempt an unsuccessful attack on a Teal, but then flew to a post outside the hide and showed very well.
On the 21st Ian and I risked the forecast and walked through the New Forest, it started well in sunshine but quickly turned into a downpour. We were looking for thrushes, notably Ring Ouzel which we didn't see, but in the short window of dry weather we had good views of Dartford Warbler and both Redwing and Fieldfare. The highlight though came in the rain when a buck Fallow Deer came looking for the shelter we were using.
On the 24th it was a long over due visit to Lepe. Offshore there was a Razorbill and later in the day a Red-throated Diver appeared as the tide dropped.
On the 26th at Farlington I had my first view of the Short-eared Owls in Point Field. The weather looked threatening so I decided to leave and visit Titchfield Haven. It was quiet on the scrape, so I moved to the Spurgin Hide where the Kingfisher showed if not distantly. However the Kingfisher was the target of a female Merlin, that having missed stayed on the perch and gave me the best views of Merlin I have ever had.
On the 28th it was back to Lepe and Inchmery with Ian hoping to see the White-tailed Eagle, we waited for all the morning but they never appeared. In between heavy rain we did have Red-throated Diver and Shag off the beach.
On the 30th I spent a wet hour at the Oyster Beds at Hayling with little to show for it. Moving on to Farlington in the afternoon the two Short-eared Owls put on a great show.
However it was on the 31st that the owls gave me one of my best Short-eared Owl experiences. Sitting low down in the grass one came within five metres of me, giving me some great views.
On the 11th we were over in Kent and I was able to visit Elmley National Nature Reserve. It was cold and then clear and sunny. Disappointingly there was not a lot of raptor action, but I did see six Cattle Egret, 2 Bearded Tits and up to eight Short-eared Owls. The Cattle Egret showed extremely well amongst the cows.
There was a Slavonian Grebe offshore Normandy and another Long-tailed Duck on Normandy Lagoon, plus a surprise in two red head Goosander amongst the Red-breasted Mergansers.
On the 21st it was a belated visit to Eyeworth Pond and some wonderful views of the drake Mandarin Duck.
A Black-throated Diver turned up in the unlikely location of the River Itchen at Bitterne in Southampton. It took a lot of patience but finally showed very well on the 23rd This was the first photographable Black-throated in the county for sometime.
Like London Buses, one diver turns up then others come along at the same time. Both Great Northern and Black-throated Diver were on the River Test at Redbridge, so on the 25th I an and I walked through frost covered Lower Test Marshes to the Redbridge Wharf where we were treated to excellent views of both divers in some wonderful light.
During the morning there was a report of a Great Northern Diver in breeding plumage at Hill Head, so we left Redbridge and were lucky to see the diver off the Rainbow Bar in the afternoon.
December
The month started with some cold weather. Conditions looked perfect on the 1st, but the weather quickly changed to a bitterly cold wind that had me considering heading home. However I stuck at it and was rewarded with great views of Spotted Redshank.
In the afternoon I went to Barton-on-Sea for the first time to find at least three Purple Sandpipers on the rocks below the cliffs.
On the 2nd I met Ian in fog at Southsea Castle, initially this was to try and see Southsea, but having found them the day before the pressure was off because there was no sign of them on the new sea defences.
A superb fox kept us entertained around the new sea wall as we waited for the appearance of a Black Redstart.
We did finally get some great views of the male Black Redstart around the castle.
The fog stayed with us for most of the morning but just after midday the mist lifted as we turned up at Farlington where, first it was the Bearded Tits in the reeds at the Lake.
Then at 14:00 the main event the Short-eared Owls once again in some lovely winter sunshine.
On the 5th a report of twenty plus Waxwings at Fordingbridge saw a visit to Titchfield aborted, the Waxwings though were not there when I arrived and still were not there after two hours waiting. I left and dropped in at the Redbridge Wharf for the divers once again, the Black-throated Diver coming very close.
On the 9th it was back to Elmley where the weather was poor with heavy rain in the morning The car turned into a hide along the track and two Bewick's Swans flying over was very welcome. In the afternoon I managed to get a glimpse of the Barn Owl as well as the expected Short-eared Owl. the weather was poor though with heavy rain in the morning.
On the 11th I went into the New Forest looking for Brambling without any luck. There were though plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing and a single Lesser Redpoll.
On the 17th it was back to Keyhaven - Lymington Reserve, which was a lot warmer than my last visit. Highlights were at least ten Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Kingfisher, Dartford Warbler.
There were also three Slavonian Grebes and a drake Greater Scaup.
On the 22nd a Ring-necked Duck was on Linbrook Lake at Blashford, a welcome sighting amongst the gloom of the last days of the year.
We were back in the New Forest on the next day, the 23rd, this time at Black Gutter Bottom where a male and female Hen Harrier were seen coming from the roost early in the morning.
