16th February - Pennington Marsh to Normandy Marsh and Acres Down New Forest, Hampshire

After glorious blue skies and endless sunshine over the last few days in which I saw my first butterfly of the year, a Brimstone, mit was no surprise to see a complete change on Saturday morning, misty foggy conditions, and a constant drizzle.  The forecast was for it to stay dry, but never to get brighter.

I met Ian at the car park at Lower Pennington, and we set off across the old tip with  the visibility not too bad.  We walked around the Fishtail, where there were a few duck about, but nothing like the numbers I was expecting.  Of the duck present the Pintail were busy displaying to any female that came close.

We walked down to Keyhaven Lagoon to check to see if there were any Spoonbill about, but aside from a lot of Shelduck there was little about.  Coming back to Fishtail Ian found a group of five Ruff amongst Lapwing at the back of the lagoon, hidden within the vegetation, and in the gloom it was not possible to get any photograph.

As we made our way to Butts, all the duck and waders went up across Pennington Marsh, and out of the mist a male Marsh Harrier flew along the sea wall, over the reed bed and across Butts Bay heading towards Keyhaven.  A really grainy shot in the gloom

The sea was very quiet, every so often Oystercatcher pairs would fly past calling annoyingly.

Heading towards Oxey Marsh, there were more Oystercatchers on the sea wall, and with them a single Curlew.

Rather than walking around the sea wall we headed across Oxey Marsh towards Moses Dock.  The gorse bushes were showing quite a few yellow flowers, probably as a result of the the warm weather over the last few days.  Greenfinches could be heard calling and even singing from the top of the bushes.

Skylarks could be heard singing above us, but were invisible due to the mist or fog starting to roll back in.  Looking towards Lymington Marina from Moses Dock you can normally see the yacht masts, but this morning there was just a white out as the mist increased.

In the ditch alongside the dock a drake wigeon swam close to the bank, the dark water contrasting the pastel colours of the duck

On the other side of the dock there was a distant Spotted Redshank feeding in its normal high speed manner, while a Greenshank was a little closer to us.

Here the Greenshank feeding alongside a Common Redshank

There were a lot of Black-headed Gulls about, and many were now sporting the start of their "black" or more accurately "brown" hoods.

A Little Egret stood close to the shore in a very misty Normandy Marsh

While offshore a single Great-crested Grebe swam past

The mist was quite thick now, making photography very difficult.  I have to thank the enhancement applications of Photoshop for clarity in the next series of photographs, believe me it was not as clear as they show at all.

An Avocet, one of seven on Normandy Marsh

We had seen a Cormorant in the middle of the lagoon struggling with a large eel.  It spent most of the time trying to swallow it under water, but eventually appeared with just a small part of the tail hanging out of the beak, and a large swelling in the gullet.

Finally the tail disappeared, but the eel was still in the gullet, producing some rather ugly and what looked like very uncomfortable shapes. 

Assuming that was it, and the eel was gone I decided to scan around the water in search of the Scaup that has been present for some time.  On an island were a pair of Great Black-backed gulls, and I commented on this to Ian as I finally found the Scaup, distantly in the mist.

Some more splashing in the water brought my attention back to the Cormorant once again.  The eel had reappeared, obviously determined not to be swallowed the eel was trying to get away, and the Cormorant was struggling to restrain it

The ongoing saga then attracted the two gulls, and slowly they moved towards the Cormorant, calling to each other as they went.  One of the gulls then flew closer.

And then both swam up to the Cormorant who continued to struggle with the eel, frantically trying to get the head in position to attempt another swallow before the gulls moved in. 

Then one of the gulls took to the air and dive bombed the cormorant that immediately dived

A struggle then ensued and the gull managed to pull the eel away from the Cormorant, but never actually getting away with it

But the Cormorant managed to pull it away once again, and maybe due to the attack by the gull swallowed it.  

However the swallow continued to be a problem, the eel refusing to go down, and the gulls stayed close to see if there was another possibility on launching an attack

With a series of stretches where almost all the body of the Cormorant extended out of the water the eel was swallowed.  The Cormorant turned to face the gulls as if to say, "see its gone!" and with this the gulls turned away and returned to their island

The Scaup was swimming towards the east end of the lagoon so we decided to walk around in the hope we could get a better view.  I was able to pick it up once again.  This is what it looked like without any enhancement.

It wasn't much better once I had finished playing in Photoshop

We decided to turn back, and as we reached the corner of the sea wall we stopped to watch a group of small passerines.  These were mainly Linnets and Meadow Pipit, but a whistle alerted us to a Kingfisher that was zipping low over the water of the ditch.

The ditch turns 90 degrees at the corner, and watching the Kingfisher flying at speed I was amazed at how it negotiated the turn without either slowing, or moving out to open up the bend.  It just negotiated a right angle turn just like that.  It must have involved a slight bank, and maybe a turn of the tail, but it was an incredible feat of flying to watch.

The kingfisher, which was a female then played with us as it perched on the fence, and then moved on as we approached.  Finally I decided to take a record shot from distance before it flew off and away from us

Passing Eight Acre Pond the Tufted Ducks that had been at the back of the pond earlier had swam closer.  

The mist was now lifting, and there were even signs of breaks in the cloud with shards of light spill down on to the Solent, despite the increased visibility there was nothing to see out on the water.  We walked around the sea wall in hope, but it was on the marsh where we found the birds.  This Teal tucked away.

A Black-tailed Godwit

A little Egret that didn't want to muddy or get its yellow feet wet!

And a beautiful drake Shoveler

Out on the sea the excitement rose a little when I picked up some distant movement, but this turned out to be a group of six Brent Geese

But I did pick up some distant duck that turned out to be Eider.  They settled on the water, and with the scope I could make out at least one drake

The bank of the lagoon on Pennington Marsh casts a very dark shadow on the water, and the duck like to settle in the shelter of the bank providing a nice black background, and reflections in the water.  Here a pair of Wigeon

A drake on its own

Another drake Shoveler.

Off shore the shingle spit was appearing as the tide dropped.  On the exposed areas were Brent Geese several Grey Plovers and the Black-headed Gulls.  A flock of about 50 Knot flew in and started to feed at the edge of the water.  This is also a good place to find Bar-tailed Godwit.  Scanning I found a likely suspect, the legs were shorter but as it was feeding in the water it was not certain.  Then it raised the wings and there was no wing bar, confirming my instincts.

A little further along towards the Jetty a Curlew sat on one of the exposed rocks just off the Jetty

At Fishtail there was a large flock of Brent Geese, but no sign of the Ruff we had seen earlier, hopefully they had moved on to the flooded area close to the car park.  As we walked towards Keyhaven all the duck and waders on the saltmarsh went up in panic.  This was not a Lapwing induced panic, but the real thing.  Scanning the skies Ian eventually picked up the culprit, a Peregrine, and then another appeared.  

They flew up and then down low across the saltmarsh just weaving through the panicked birds, at one point one Peregrine was pursuing at pace one of the waders, then the other bird came through flashing past the first bird low over the marsh, but then pulled up and doubled back.  The first bird by now had settled on the shingle, while the second bird was found sitting on the stick or pipe in the middle of the marsh.  They were different sized birds indicating that they were probably male and female birds

One more check of Keyhaven Lagoon found many more Shelduck at the back of the lagoon, but no sign of any Spoonbill.  We turned back, crossing the Old Tip to view the flooded areas, the Skylarks were still singing but now the could be seen

The flooded area was covered with duck, huge numbers of Pintail on the far side, but also Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon.  There was a large flock of Golden Plover at the back of the marsh, while the Black-tailed Godwits were all grouped together amongst the Lapwing

Ian found the Ruff, although we could only see three, with one male standing out with its white head and breast

Time to move on, and we were heading into the forest, Acres Down to be precise.  Arriving the car park was full, and after a little bit of maneuvering we were able to find somewhere to park.  Setting off we heard a woodpecker drumming, but after a search, and some doubt, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew off through the trees.

Walking down the main path we came across some "zitting" calls around us.  At first I though a Coal Tit, but then Ian picked up a Hawfinch, and it became clear.  However just as I raised the camera it flew off, and was joined by another flying over the tops of the trees and out of sight.

We walked down to Highland Water with little else about.  The area itself though was going through a huge transformation, with lots of trees cleared out, and stacks of logs lining the main path.  At the dead tree we turned to follow the path through the Holmhill Inclosure.  We paused to stop and listen, and every so often above the squeals of children and the barks of distant dogs we could pick out bird song.  We were hoping for Firecrest, but without any luck.  However we did come across a group of Coal Tits.  They were squabbling over territory, and what seemed like a leaf falling down in front of turned out to be a pair of Coal Tits joined together in quite a viscous fight

The fight continued on the ground, and they were not aware how close we were

The fight though was quickly over, with them going their own ways.

A little further on and a strange song stopped us.  Once again Ian picked out the owner, although at the time we didn't associate it with the song, a smart male Crossbill at the top of a pine tree.

The male was then joined by a female just below it and then they both flew off calling.

Our route then took us up the hill towards Acres Down, and as we came out at the top Ian once again stopped and pointed out some Hawfinch.  This time I did get the chance to take some photos, although it was a little obscured by the branches

I tried to get a better view but the shy birds were off.  We thought there was just two, but later when checking the photos there was another making three below the bird above.

We hoped for Woodlark but with no luck.  Back in the car park two Hawfinch flew over, so we decided to walk around the area once again.  We finally came across a flock of birds including Blue, Great and Marsh Tits, the Marsh Tits being very vocal around us.

As well as the Tits there were a couple of Treecreepers and a Nuthatch, but that was it for the day.  Once again not the best of weather for photography, but in terms of birds seen it was a very good day.  I would like though a day of sunshine soon please.

2nd February - Hayling Island and Titchfield Haven Canal Path, Hampshire

Snow....A dusting arrived early in the week, and then again overnight on Thursday into Friday morning.  But what was unexpected was the storm that hit Friday afternoon.  I was in Basingstoke and did get caught out, it taking me six hours to get home.  This meant that the plans Ian and I had for Saturday had to change and as I dug the snow off my car and drive once again.  Ian was at Southsea Castle watching the Purple Sandpipers and a a Shag.  I finally caught up with him at the top of the Hayling Billy path, after a lovely drive through snow covered fields and trees in glorious sunshine, but still below freezing temperatures.

The tide was high, and from the car park a group of Brent Geese were close in on the water.

We were walking to the Oyster Beds.  A Redshank stood in the pool alongside the path.

We walked out to the Restored railway signal and scanned the sea.  On the far side looking north there was a good collection of duck.  Mostly Wigeon and Pintail, there were also several pairs of Red-breasted Mergansers.  There were also a few rafts of Great-crested Grebes, I managed to count 24 in total, with groups of 12 and 10 together.

With the high tide there was a cold north westerly wind blowing, so we headed back to the path and set off for the Oyster Beds. Out on the rocks there were plenty of Brent Geese and Oystercatchers, further out there was a large wader roost of Dunlin and Knot.  Something disturbed them and the whole flock went up, wheeling away over the water, the whole group flashing silver and white in the sunshine as they turned about over the water.

We walked out to the usual viewing point, an Oystercatcher came in close, searching for food along the water's edge

While a Rock Pipit busied itself amongst the dried sea weed and pebbles, using an old branch as a vantage point.

It appeared at first as if there were no birds present, but a search around the banks of the old oyster beds revealed roosting Redshank

And good numbers of Oystercatchers

Within the lagoon were a couple of Little Grebes keeping out of the wind close to the banks, while out on the sea there was very little.  I managed to pick up one Black-necked Grebe, but nothing else.

It was difficult to understand why there was a lack of birds out on the water.  The sea was not that rough, there was a cold breeze, but this would not normally be a factor, and it was bright so visibility was not a problem as could be shown by the view looking north away to the snow capped South Downs hills.

With the tide starting to fall there was a little more activity around the lagoons with the Brent in the water, joined by several Pintail

But for some it was still the time to take a snooze in the sunshine.

From the Oyster Beds we went around to the Northney Marina, with the tide still high there is always a chance of something being tucked away here.  However we did not expect to be able to see the two Cattle Egret that have been at Warblington on the other side of the water all winter.  The two Cattle Egret, while very distant could easily be made out by there shape and movement around the cows.

Needless to say there was nothing else about on the water!

We headed south, down to Sandy Point, where a walk around the point and sandbar in the sunshine was very pleasant, the temperature being a lot higher than it had been at the Oyster Beds.  There was still though a lack of birds.  Nothing on the sea at all despite reports of over thirty Red-throated Divers the day before.  The only signs of bird life were a large flock of Brent Geese over the beach huts at Wittering

And some Brent a few Teal, a couple of Redshank and this single Grey Plover on the sand bar.

We were going to go to the west, but reports of similar conditions there put us off, so instead we decided to leave the island and drive west, and to explore the Titchfield Canal Path.  In the sunshine we were pretty much guaranteed a year tick at least.

And we were not to be denied, looking across the field to the split tree, the Barn Owl was fats asleep, but showing very well

A beautiful afternoon walk, but once again devoid of birds.  At Posbrook floods there were Black-tailed Godwits, and wildfowl in the form of Wigeon, teal, Pintail, Shoveler and Mallard.  In one field to the west of the canal there was a good sized flock of Redwing, but the search for the regularly reported Water Pipits proved unsuccessful.

In the grassy fields Woodpigeon could be seen feeding around the tussocks, and we came across a pile of feathers.  As I remarked about something having met its maker here I noticed a dark shape move close by.  The dark shape turned out to be female Sparrowhawk.  She had been the cause of the feathers and she was standing over her kill.

The area all around her bill, and head was covered in blood, and this made those menacing yellow eyes even more chilling.  As the cameras went off she tried to fly off with her kill.

The Woodpigeon though must have been too heavy to fly off with and she settled back down, and covered the kill with her wings

We can only assume that the Sparrowhawk surprised the Woodpigeon feeding in the grass, using the line of the canal path as cover, and killed it on the ground

It was then a case of what to do.  She was very aware we were close and kept looking at us, but refused to give up the kill

I don't recall ever having seen so much blood on the head of a Sparrowhawk like this before, it was almost vulture like.

The stand off the Sparrowhawk was having with us gradually eased, and she started to pluck the feathers from the Woodpigeon

This, though, became a bit of a problem for her, as the feathers started to stick to the blood on her bill and throat.

Which then needed some extensive scratching to try and remove the feathers, only to move them to the feet

When this didn't seem to make any difference she just plucked sending feathers everywhere

Interspersed with some more frantic scratching to try and remove those feathers that continued to stick to the blood.

Then stopping to give us that stare as if to say what are you laughing at!

We left the Sparrowhawk merrily tossing feathers in the air and frantically scratching, and decided to head back up the canal path.  We stopped again to check the field for Water Pipits, this time there were several Song Thrushes, a few Blackbirds and a single Fieldfare.  The field is split with a fence, and the area closest to the path there was longer grass that had not been grazed.  

There was also frozen water, maybe one of the reasons why there were no pipits, but as you looked Snipe began to appear, at least six maybe a few more, sometimes only the head or back but they could be made out as your eye became used to picking out the shape.  As we watched the Snipe a pair of Roe Deer wandered into the paddock at the back of the field.

The afternoon sunshine was that wonderful golden type, and sent some lovely reflections of the twisted branches into the water of the canal

A large flock of Black-tailed Godwits settled at the far side of the field to the east of the path, and a wren called from within the grass tussocks in the field, then appeared on the barbed wire.

A very sleepy quiet day bird wise, born out by the fact that as we passed the split tree once again the Barn Owl was still asleep not having moved at all

I suppose it takes time for the winter weather to move birds about, and then for them to be found, today though it had been very quiet.  The weather is set to change at the start of the week, back to milder conditions and some rain.  Lets hope something turns up to change the situation.