3rd April - Gilkicker Point, Haslar Cemetery, Browndown South and Posbrook Floods, Hampshire

It was another sunny morning, but as I arrived on the south coast there was cloud hanging over the isle of Wight.  I met Ian close to Gilkicker Point and walked through the golf course to the development work on the old fort.  Reaching the beach there was a very fresh easterly breeze that was taking the edge off the morning sunshine.  Off shore we picked up Sandwich Terns and a single Common Tern, the first of the year.  Walking along the beach there were several Sandwich Terns fishing.

We walked along the beach and around the bushes, but there was very little about.  We could hear Song Thrush and Chiffchaff singing away in the distance but nothing that looked at all like a newly arrived migrant.

We made our way back and entertained ourselves with the ships om the Solent.  Walking back towards the cars a Swallow flew across the lake, but kept on going, heading west.  As we came across the Golf Course we could see a Fox sat on the grass.

It stood up and walked towards us, another tame male dog Fox.  A yawn!

Some nice portraits as we were able to get close.

It trotted past us, seemingly unconcerned, but keeping an eye on us.

It then paused on the fairway and as it did so another Swallow flew through, this time heading east.

Some more portraits.

It kept its eye on us as we walk away.

Next stop was just down the the road at the Royal Navy Haslar Cemetery.  Early spring one of the earliest orchids to flower can be seen in really good numbers.  We walked in and Ian led the way to the area where they are seen.  However we were a little early, there was n't any sign of the orchids, although I did find this one that was trying to flower, but looks like it has fallen foul to a lawn mower.

We are assured that the area is not mown, so it could be that they are mown while the orchids are still to emerge.  It will  probably take another couple of weeks for them to emerge in quantity.

From Haslar we drove another short distance to Browndown South, this would be my fourth visit this spring, the target being Adders, the sun though had disappeared behind a bank of cloud, not a good sign.

Walking onto Browndown a female Linnet was posing nicely on top of the gorse.

The wind was chilling and without the sunshine it was not a good environment for the Adders to appear.  As we looked in the usual spots amongst the bracken and sheltered from the wind we came across this, a Dark-edged Bee Fly.

As we strolled along the paths the sun started to emerge and there were spots where it felt quite warm.  Then, finally Ian found an Adder, a male spread out amongst the dead grass and bracken.

A close up of the head, beneath a branch of bramble.

We walked around again and went back to the cars to pick up lunch.  Coming back we were told where there was a couple basking so we headed back, the sun was now out, but the breeze was keeping the temperature down.  We did find another male and it was quite active, the tongue flashing out.

Then, we think it was down to the wind, it turned quickly and shot off into the gorse.  We searched some more, but with out any luck, so decided to try one more location, we were heading back to Bridge Street car park.

We set off down the canal path and immediately came across a Green-veined White butterfly that didn't stop.  A little further and there was a Peacock and Comma, but again avoided the camera.

Earlier in the week I had seen six Glossy Ibis drop onto Posbrook Floods, and this afternoon there was a report of nine on the floods.  As we walked towards the floods we saw three feeding in the marshy area below Posbrook.  Two together followed by a single

Scanning across the floods there were three more, but we couldn't get the count up to nine, we also couldn't find the drake Garganey that apparently was still around.  With no sign of any hirundines and only Chiffchaffs singing from the bushes we decided to head back.

I finally had managed to catch up with the Adders, but it wasn't the sort of views I have seen in past years.  The blocking weather continues, but tonight there is the chance of showers that may force some movement to drop down.

1st April - Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire

Last year I made a trip into Winchester to see the Peregrines around the cathedral.  The Peregrines were back according the Winchester Cathedral web site, so I was hoping for some action like I experienced last year.

Another beautiful day with blue skies and sunshine, everything looked perfect, the big question though was would the falcons turn up?  The answer to this was no.

I was left watch the feral Pigeons perched on the brick work where the Peregrines should be

Herring Gulls sitting on the roof of the cathedral

The only raptor seen a distant Buzzard.

And Jackdaws collecting nesting material in the grounds of the cathedral.

The web cams on the web site are working and looking at then ensting box there isn't any sign of any activity at all.  Last year the resident female was attacked and killed by a younger female.  She paired up with the resident male, but were unsuccessful, the eggs laid never hatching.  It would seem that this inexperienced female is having difficulty again this year