Once again the condition looked good for finding migrants and for a change Ian and I decided to meet at Old Winchester Hill. I had visited earlier in the week and drawn a complete blank, if you don't include Chiffchaff, so was hoping things would be different this morning. Heading down the road into West Meon there were two Grey Partridge by the side of the road, and heading up the hill towards the reserve there were plenty of Red-legged Partridges, there were plenty of pheasants everywhere as well.
Chiffchaff were singing in the car park and heading out along the top path the views down across the valley was of a misty morning. There was barely any wind, hence the mist.
To the east the mist appeared to be a little thicker.
On reaching the main path to the hill fort we flushed a Buzzard and in the adjacent field we watched two Red-legged Partridges scurrying away across the field. At the entrance to the fort a Yellowhammer was singing at the top of a tree.
We decided to walk around the south of the fort, following the path on the fort wall. Sky;lark could be heard and seen above us, but there was no sign of any of the hoped for Wheatear. On the south slope there were Blackbirds feeding at the bottom and more Yellowhammer. Just before the end of the fort, Ian stopped and pointed, I could then see what he was pointing at, a Red Kite, perched on an old tree stump.
We were quite close and the kite did not seem to be too concerned, I don't recall ever being this close to a Red Kite, an opportunity to take in this beautiful raptor.
We were fortunate to be able to use the dip behind the outer wall as cover, but as we moved the Kite seemed to notice us.
When it felt we were too close it launched itself off and out over the field.
In the absence of any wind the Kite was having to work quite hard, flapping its wings more often than it would have liked, they prefer to be able to glide, which it finally managed.
A wonderful opportunity to watch the bird in flight at eye level.
It glided around and eventually started to head back to the stump it had just left.
We moved around to ensure we had the best light and then crept back still using the wall as cover.
It was a privilege to be so close to a bird that has always been special to me. I have written before about how as a young boy I was taken in by pictures and the name, and then they could only be found in West Wales. It was in the late eighties I finally managed to see one when I arranged a business trip and spent the early evening watching a distant one in Wales. Then I would never have believed I would get views like this in my later life.
I was able to get some nice portrait views too.
A slight change in position to show the sheep at the bottom of the hill.
Then it was off, calling as it headed out across the valley.
Then turning to provide another wonderful fly by.
This time it headed away along the ridge of the fort, still having to flap the wings more than I am sure it would like, and away out of sight.
We walked on still hoping to find some migrant activity, but were left with Meadow Pipits and of course the Skylarks.
Back at the entrance to the fort the Yellowhammer was still singing.
We walked around the slope paths and then down the big slope to the wood in the bottom of the valley. As we walked down there were two more Red-legged Partridges and of course the yaffle calls of Green Woodpeckers, which is the reason this wood is sometimes referred to as Woodpecker Wood.
As we entered the wood a Firecrest was singing in the clump of Yew trees.
As well as the Firecrest there was also a pair of Goldcrests, and more Firecrests a little further into the wood.
Ian found this Wren, a male, busy building a nest in the trunk of a Yew tree, although I think it was a little over ambitious with this stick.
The male Wren will build several nests and then let a female decide which nest she would want to use. After trying unsuccessfully with the stick it decided to go with some moss.
Which it took into the nest and apparently it was suitable as the Wren came out without the moss.
Leaving the wood it was a walk around the bottom of the slope and then to the base of the path that leads up to the car park. As we slowly made our way up the hill, a pause allowed time to take in the view of the hill fort, with the white fluffy clouds in the blue sky and the lush green of the arable fields.
Another Yellowhammer was singing in a bush, by walking around the bush you could get a background of the emerging yellow flowers of the distant rapeseed.
There were more Chiffchaff singing around the gate to the car park, but there had not been any sign of other migrants, still the Red Kite was a bit special this morning.
Where to next? We decided on a visit to Farlington Marshes, there had been Little Gull there the previous day and there was also a chance of Wheatear on the marshes. From the car park we walked across the flooded meadow to the information hut. A check of the gulls on the stream could not fond a Little Gull. At the Information Hut it was clear the Little Gull had gone, there was also very little else about. Bearded Tits called in the reeds and showed briefly, while in the bank of bramble a Cetti's Warbler sang. The flooded field next to the hut were six Brent Geese, a few Lapwing and two Greenshank, one of which was going into summer breeding plumage.
Around at the Deeps and across the mars there were still good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls.
Across the marsh there were five distant Avocet and large numbers of Shelduck pouring in from around the harbour.
The islands created over the winter look very good now with the high water levels and it was a case of if you build it they will come, a pair of Ringed Plover with one setting down either on a scrape with eggs or looking to create one.
We completed the walk around the rest of the sea wall without much of interest. The water on the lake higher than I have ever seen it before, in fact the Lake now flows into the stream.
On reaching the lower car park a Kestrel was hovering, as I tried to get closer, the Kestrel dived. I walked around and found it at the top of a nearby bush having already removed the head of what looks like and unfortunate mouse.
It was then mobbed by a Magpie and flew off with its catch.
Back at he car and time for some lunch and to decide where to go next. Reports from Fishlake Meadows that included an Osprey had us decide that was where next. Surprisingly the car park was not too busy. We set off down the canal path with Brimstone flying past us. Eventually we found one that had settled but on closer look it was a very worn Brimstone, it clearly has had a tough short life so far.
Chiffchaff were sing once again along the canal path, but very little else. We made our way to the centre path, where we had to wade through quite deep water once again. In the sunshine and with reeds on either side I likened it to a walk in the Okavango Delta!
Just before reaching the screens I picked out a Great Egret in front of us.
The Great Egret was seen hunting in the reeds from the screens, but little else. On the water a pair of Great Crested Grebes, Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe. We stayed, we hoped, we left. Back at the gate to the cross path a Wren was keen to declare its territory from the top of a Lichen covered tree.
We had seen plenty of Brimstone and Peacock but we were hoping for another spring specialty. At the bridge there was an area of open woodland covered with Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone and Wild Carrot, perfect we thought for the first Orange Tip of the year, and with that one appeared, it didn't stop and would have been too far away, but it was still the first of the year.
A little further on an almost perfect male Brimstone on a Dandelion flower.
Whilst we had heard Cetti's Warbler all over the reserve, they had been elusive, finally we managed to find one that showed quite well.
Before heading back to the cars we decided to have one look from the roadside view points for the reported Osprey. Both viewpoints produced very little, the only raptors being distant Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Another Cetti's Warbler showed much better.
A rather mixed day, the hoped for migrants remained elusive, but then again some great views of Red Kite and Firecrest. Fishlake as ever was frustrating, it has been a while since I have had a year tick, but the Orange tip was a nice one, not recalling one in March before. Surely things must change as we go into April.
