19th December - The New Forest and Martin Down, Hampshire

The arrangements were to meet Ian at Martin Down this morning, but as I drove through the New Forest I saw his van parked on the side of the road so I pulled over.  Once ready to find him, he appeared and we decided to spend a little more time around the area before heading off to Martin Down.

Despite the fact it was just past 9.00 am the sun was still low and the clouds were stretched across the sky.  Heading down the valley the tree stood out on the horizon with some spectacular clouds above it.

A little further along and the clouds presented an interesting scene around the tree.

We walked up to Leaden Hall where there were Blackbirds and Meadow Pipits on the grass, but no sign of the winter thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfare.  We crossed the plateau and looked across Ashley Hole, some ponies were catching the sunshine on their manes as they galloped on the other side of the valley.

It was very very quiet so we headed back across the plateau and then down the slope to the stream.  Once again another interesting sky framing the tree.

As we started up the other side Ian picked up a raptor and at first our hopes soared, then we realised that it was a Red Kite.  Interestingly I don't recall ever having seen a Red Kite here.

So it was off to Martin Down, somewhere I have never visited before at this time of year.  Parking at the end of Sillen Lane we walked off up the slope towards the ditch armed with the thermal cameras to scour the grass in the hope of finding Short-eared Owl.  A Red Kite drifted over and there were plenty of Sheep in the area we were looking for them, but there was no heat source around that screamed Shortie at us.

We headed for the Flycatcher wood and walked through the middle scanning the leaf litter for possible Woodcock, but like the owls they were not present.  As the path opened out as we passed the wood we did find some Pheasants.  It was though a glorious day even if the wind was now quite strong and cold.

We walked back down the tracks to the cars where we had lunch and then decided to head back to the New Forest once again.  We walked down the slope in sunshine.  We are now close to the winter solstice which will take place on Saturday.  The sun was at its highest but was sending the glorious winter sunshine across the bracken and heather, that hopefully later we would see Hen Harrier crossing.

We stood at the bottom of the valley and could scan all around the ridges.  Distantly we picked up another Red Kite and several Buzzards.

The view looking east along the stream

And then turning around to look west.

A distant Raven's call soon became the actual bird and it flew around us calling.

The classic diamond shaped tail.

To look for the harriers we walked up the side of the valley to a spot where it was possible to scan the distant ridge.  The sun was quite bright and low, but at the same time was lighting up the valley below.

At 14.25 I picked up a Hen Harrier on the ridge heading west, I followed it with binoculars before trying with the camera.  The arrow helps point out a very poor record shot

We then had another sighting of a Hen Harrier on the ridge heading east, this time another Ring Tail.  At the same time Ian picked up a bird of prey that as it banked above the ridge looked very much like a Goshawk.  The skies were menacing behind us and a rainbow appeared above the distant copse.

Then from nowhere a male appeared in front of us.  The Grey Ghost came down the slope and then banked away to the east.  Distant still but I was able to get some better images.

These the best two images.

So two views of Ringtail and one of a male.  Then another Ringtail appeared with a male along the ridge, this time heading west.  The male dropped below the horizon and was then seen being mobbed by a small falcon, probably a Merlin.  The female continued above the ridge and I managed a record shot.

They hung around just below the setting sun that made things a little difficult for viewing.  At one point it looked like the two were displaying, flying up and down in the air.  So to summarise the afternoon.  Two views of a male and three of Ringtails, whether they were the same birds and we saw a male and ringtail or there were two and three respectfully remains to be seen.  However it was a great end to a day that struggled early on.