Ian has been away for the last three weeks so today was the first chance we had to catch up. We met at the parking area along Roger Penny Way in the New Forest, we were here to try and see Hen Harrier, so had arrived just before dawn. However it was a dull misty morning, the gloom hung all around the moor. We walked down the hill toward Black Gutter with Meadow Pipits calling around us. On the far side of the valley two Roe Deer a female and youngster, made their way up hill, stopping to keep an eye on us.
We hung about for about an hour and a half, taking the chance to catch up with each other. The Hen Harriers never appeared so we set off to walk around the area. There was very little else about, a few crows, more Meadow Pipits and bizarrely a Lapwing sitting amongst the heather.
Walking back I couldn't avoid the tree on the hill side, my equivalent of the Sycamore Gap tree here in the New Forest. I think I would be devastated if it was ever cut down.
We made the short journey to Blashford Lakes and headed to the Tern Hide first. As always the duck were all away in the distance, but there were a few Pochard close by.
And a Great Crested Grebe.
A birder in the hide pointed out the Black-necked Grebe that has been present for awhile now, it was, as well, distant but was heading across the lake towards the west bank and the Lapwing Hide.
We decided to walk around to the Lapwing Hide, along the way there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskin in the trees while along side the pool we flushed a Kingfisher. Once in the hide it took a short while to locate the Black-necked Grebe, but when we did it was a little closer than before.
It was frequently diving and would come a little closer but never as close as we wished for.
Here the classic shape of the head red eye and upturned bill.
There were Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Teal in front of the hide and of course plenty of Coot. On the left hand side a Great Egret was standing on the edge of the lake.
We moved on and walked around to the Goosander Hide which overlooks the bay that in Winter usually has Goosander. But on arrival there wasn't any sign of one, but the sun coming out was welcome.
After awhile I picked up a drake Goosander coming across the lake and heading into the bay. Gradually it made its way to the shore before turning and heading towards us in the hide.
Much closer.
A break from swimming to have a preen.
A very smart duck, but not one that is easy to photograph.
Just before we left the hide three Roe Deer appeared on the bank.
After lunch we walked around to the Woodland Hide. I can not recall it ever being so quiet in there, the feeders were full, but there were no birds. From the Woodland Hide we walked towards the Ivy Lake South Hide. A Kingfisher showed well on the perches positioned in the pond.
We kept seeing the Kingfisher, it didn't seem to go very far, remaining around the pond. We left and headed into the hide. Not much about from the hide. Distant Wigeon and Pintail and a few Tufted Duck. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on one of the rafts and was joined by a female Tufted Duck. The highlight was a Green Sandpiper that flew around the reeds but was to quick for the camera.
Just before we were about to leave all the Wigeon were spooked from the reeds and swam past the hide. Here a smart drake.
By now it was even gloomier than in the morning and we decided on calling it a day. It could have been a disaster, but the company and the Grebe and Goosander rescued it
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