Boat-tailed Grackle

 Saturday 6 December

The New Forest Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major

I was on the site for thirty minutes; twenty minutes waiting for the bird to arrive having been seen here at 11.330am.  The house owners came out and made us feel welcome and stated that the bird usually arrives early morning but has been a regular feed since first arriving a few days short of a month ago. I should image that by now every local birder, and very many others from far and wide, have visited this property in Holbury to see the Boat-tailed Grackle.

All reports state that the bird is a ship-assisted vagrant from America and, presumably, hopped (flew) ship at Calshot as the vessel entered Southampton Water.  The bird remained on site for a week happy to forage on the shore and neighbouring car park before, as suggested, it was chased by a dog and made its departure.  Within four days is had been located once again at its present preferred site in Holbury.  Given the small bungalow with little front garden but holding both a bird bath and feeding tray, offered not only food, water and shelter but, perhaps a sense of home or familiarity.  Could it be, therefore, that the bird was not a wild vagrant individual but, perhaps and escaped pet?  Cetainly lots of strange behaviour and not concerned about the nearness of many people.  Indeed, as well as wandering about the drive, including under the parked car, and checking out the front door for a means of access it then hopped onto the front gate immediately in front on me and less then two feet away. My birding neighbour was even closer.  I'm sure if I had food in my hand t would have been quite happy to land on same for a free feed!

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New Forest Birding

 Saturday 6 December

Broken cloud and, on occasions, bight sunshine as I made my way to the New Forest, with a Buzzard overhead as I passed junction 5 on the M27, and finally arrived at Normandy Lagoon by 9.55.  Much more cloud now and less sun but the wind was rapidly heading towards gale force and rain promised by2.30 so onwards and upwards to the sea wall.

Hundreds of Dunlin Calidris alpina

Mainly Wigeon Anas penelope with a couple of Pintail Anas acuta

Arriving on the wall above the lagoon almost impossible to stand up and no chance with the scope, try as I might. Lots of birds sheltering down below on the water and islands including scores of Lapwings and hundreds of Dunlin.  Similarly, scores of Starlings moving about and ducks included Shoveler, Shelduck, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal and Tufted Duck.  I could seen a group of Spoonbill at the far side so moved on to the corner to take the steps down to the lower path and some protection from the very strong wind.

Teal Anas crecca

Now chance to get the scope of the groups of Pintails and Wigeon plus the sixteen Spoonbills who had eleven Avocets looking for shelter next to their legs.  At the far end a single Little Grebe.  Closer study found a small group of Grey Plover and a number of Oystercatchers plus the occasional Cormorant.  But just the one Herring Gull noted and no other gulls present.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorcodia sheltering 11 Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta plus 4 Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

On the far back I found a singe Greenshank and then a Goosander flew past to land on the canal in front of me before working its way to my left. Moving on I had a quick sight of a Dartford Warbler as it flew up from the path side into the adjacent brambles.

Goosander Mergus merganser

Once at the far end I headed inland towards the marina and found the bulk of the Canada Geese flock along with  many Brent Geese and a single Egyptian Goose.  Out on the main water a lone Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Mute Swans.  Heading away from the lagoon I also recorded both Little Egret and Redshank and once closer to the mixed group of geese I noted the dozen or so Curlew and more Little Egrets plus many Jackdaw and a few Carrion Crows.   A Pied Wagtail moved across the field which then revealed a pair of Magpies.  Also present many more Teal along with a single Heron and a small number of Black-headed Gulls.  Moving through the trees to the yacht basin I also recorded Dunnock, Chaffinch and Blue Tit.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

Eventually arriving back at the car I moved on over the the Pennington Marshes for my usual anti-clockwise circuit  passing both Fishtail and Butts Lagoons. Stopping at the tope end I recorded the massed roosting flock of Black-tailed Godwits along with a good-sized flock of Golden Plovers.  Lots of Canada Geese to be seen but no Greylags. Also present over the whole field very many Lapwing.

Canada Geese Branta canadensis plus 3 Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Once parked up at the end of the lane I started my walk towards Fishtail lagoon and noted the lack of water in one are which held 40 Redshanks feeding on the exposed mud.  Lots of Shelduck, Mallard and Shoveler plus a handful of resting Great Black-backed Gulls.  Also both many Canada and Brent Geese present.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus (back) with Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Very little time spent of the sea wall as the wind was now even stronger but I note the many Teal and Shoveler on Pennington Lagoon as I turned inland.  Meanwhile, on the small beach opposite, a handful of foraging Turnstone.  Moving on towards the car park  a couple of Turnstone and a Robin whilst a Cormorant struggled to fly westwards.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Just after 1pm when I finally departed towards home but with Holbury, near Fawsley, just thirty minutes away from Lymington I took the alternative route back via Beaulieu rather then heading directly north towards Lyndhurst and the M27.  Arriving at the small bungalow in Southbourne Road that has been the home to the vagrant Boat-tailed Grackle for the past two or three weeks I ate my picnic whilst, hopefully, waiting for the bird o put in appearance. Twenty minute slater the bird was suddenly in the garden and wandering around the drive and lawn foraging for tit-bits.  At last I had seen this wanderer and more information and photos will appear in a following report.

Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Dartford Warbler, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Black-tailed Grackle, Starling, Chaffinch.

5 Curlew Numenius arquata (centre)

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

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River Hamble, Warsash

Thursday 4 December 

Hamble River at high tide with the water either side of the footpath

Still, dry and cloud breaking to give some bright sunshine later in the morning as I took a walk up the Hamble River to beyond the conservation area at full tide; indeed, midway between the double high tide.  Water lapping the bank on either side of the footpath so no slip either way as would end up in the wet stuff!  leaving the house with Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits on the feeders I even had a Blackbird cross the connect path from road to river and then on the through the massed puddles towards the ferry pontoon.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Sitting n the fence next to same a male Stonechat and once past a small flock of Brent Geese on the water on the meadow side of the path.  beyond then a handful of Wigeon at the back. Initially, just a couple of Black-headed Gulls to be seen and certainly less than a score the whole morning. n the river itself the first of three Great Crested Grebes.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Looking at the tree at the back of the meadow a massed roost of about 50 Woodpigeon and they were joined by a single Starling.  On the garden below a Carrion Crow and Magpie and near the back reeds a pair of Canada Geese.

Roosting Woodpigeon Columba palumbus but note the Starling Sturnus vulgaris top left

Continuing on up the puddled path and lapping water either side regular sightings of small flocks of Brent Geese and the a single Grey Plover perched atop one of the posts in the water. A sudden movement by a small bird ahead of me enable me to watch it alight near the conservation area and I thought Rock Pipit but "Merlin" was telling me Water Pipit and, sure enough, the enlarged photo confirmed the latter with the supercillium showing white beyond the eye.

Distant record shot of Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

At this point I stopped to take a quick photo of the departing Little Egret as it passed me by on the river side.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

At the conservation area, now completely flooded, more Brent Geese and the main Wigeon flock totalling over 50 individuals.  Hiding well down in the tall grasses on the far side a single Grey Heron and walking further on and just into the woods a Robin recorded.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Making my way Back I stopped at the conservation to tale a closer look at the seven Grey Plovers resting atop individua posts and a little further along came across my only wader of the morning, a single Redshank at the river's edge.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola with 2 Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Approaching the final water outlet bridge I managed to see the first of two Little Grebes feeding on the river and on the final inland pool more Brent Geese and Wigeons plus a half-dozen Teal.

Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Water Pipit, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Redshank Tringa totanus

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas BirdingGroup

 Wednesday 3 December

It sounds as if it is not just the UK getting a dose of the storms and tempests!  And I certainly trust all will be sorted before mid-February when I drive over for around three weeks!  Meantime, Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group were "enjoying" a visit to my favourite Almeria birding site, Cabo de Gata (be there on Saturday 20th February). Amazing to think that other than the Flamingos and Black-winged Stilts, I've seen all the other named species over here in Blighty; even had a dozen Grey Plovers on the Hamble river last Sunday morning along with over 300 Dunlin plus both Redshank and Greenshank.

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 3rd December

Nigel kindly picked me up and he drove down towards Cabo de Gata.  As we approached the exit off the A7/E15 motorway there was a huge murmuration of presumably Northern Starlings as I've never seen Spotless Starlings participate in that activity.  As we passed through Retamar Sur we saw Yellow -legged Gulls and Collared Doves.  The gulls had been blown in by the storm-like winds.  We added a Magpie before we reached the first hide where Kevin was hunkered down inside with his scope.  Apart from the Greater Flamingos he'd also seen Spotless Starlings, Avocets, Little Egrets, Black-winged Stilts and Mallard ducks.  We were joined by Trevor.  Some Dunlin were feeding in the shelter of the left hand pools.  Kevin added a Redshank and Ringed and Kentish Plovers.  Nearly suffering from hyperthermia we adjourned for a hot coffee.

We decided we'd miss out the second hide, pass Go, not collect €200 and go straight to the public hide. A Meadow Pipit was by the approach track.  From the hide we saw numerous Sanderling and Dunlin. There was a group of sheltering Lesser Black-backed and Black Headed Gulls to our right giving me my one and only chance for a decent photograph!  Kevin did well to find a single Black-necked Grebe, some sleeping Spoonbill in the distance and a Grey Plover.  Nigel spotted a Cormorant.  I heard, then had a fleeting glimpse of a Sardinian Warbler.  We decided enough was enough and headed home, Kevin adding Cattle Egret and House Sparrow to the list.

Black-headed Gull surrounded by Lesser Back-backed Gulls (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with 25 species.  To be honest I really enjoyed being out with mates on a bracing day. 

Sending best wishes to both Peters and to Bob Wright.

Regards

Dave

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Lower Hamble River, Warsash

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Sunday 30 November

Starting this morning I should be wearing a slim during the day for the next week but the sun was shining brightly, no wind and the tide at a perfect setting for a walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back.  Surely the sling-wearing could wait for a couple of hours?

There may not have been many birds about, excluding the 300 plus Dunlin, 120 Wigeon and 100 Brent Geese but still an opportunity to try out the new Canon EOS7 with the RF 100-400 lens. Not too bad for a first use with the camera catching the eye but distant shots still a little soft so time to download the User Manual and discover where I am going wrong.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Nothing on the first beach but once past the ferry landing stage birds began to appear with the first Brent Geese, Redshank and a Black-headed Gull. Foraging along the seaweed line below me a Rock Pipit and then the first 150 Dunlin. Just a handful of Wigeon at this stage along with the only Little Egret seen during the visit.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

On the meadow side of the path a Greenshank and seven departing Starling.  Moving further on more dunlin and Brent Geese plus Redshanks and a couple of Curlew.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

A resting flock of ten Grey Plover was a delight to see plus a few other individual nearby.  A Cormorant was resting as a second flew over form the meadow. Continuing on up the path a few Teal to my left a quartet of Carrion Crow on the flat, now exposed, meadow.  Also on this area a dozen Black-tailed Godwit and fourteen Shelduck.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Nearing the conservation area I cam across a handful of Ringed Plover on the now distant river edge followed by a further fourteen resting on the bank above.  Meanwhile, on the inland side of the path a couple of Heron in the far, grassy edge plus two Oystercatchers.  Once at the conservation area a few more Teal and Redshank but mainly the hundred or more Wigeon along with a few more Black-headed Gulls.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Making my way back downstream I finally found a handful or so Herring Gulls along with a dozen Jackdaw and a pair of Woodpigeon.  Only 23 species but at least making the most of what will probably be the only sunny day for the coming week and then both Magpie and Dunnock in the garden as I reached home.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Rock Pipit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Wigeon Anas penelope

Wigeon Anas penelope in flight

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