A gloomy but mercifully dry afternoon greeted the fourteen members who assembled at the Newark Priory car park. The meadow opposite held a mixed flock of redwings, fieldfares and starlings that boded well for the walk. Across the road scanning disclosed a few stock doves among the woodpigeons while three flightly mistle thrushes skittered around. The lake initially offered views of coots, swans, gadwall and a close-in great crested grebe. Further around a few common gulls swam among the numerous black-headed gulls while a couple of wigeon and a few pochard could be picked out among the many tufted ducks and gadwall. During the walk to Papercourt Lock a red kite and a buzzard were seen at a distance and the first bird seen on the Water Meadow was a kestrel perched on a pylon. The tow path offered only a nuthatch and a robin while a few mallards swam in the Navigation. Patience near the Tannery Bridge was rewarded with a small flock of linnets and a few meadow pipits perching on a nearby shrub. Sadly a barn owl did not appear but some consolation came as a mini-murmuration of several hundred starling swirled over Papercourt Marshes for some minutes before settling to roost. Late sightings on the return walk along the river were a little egret and Egyptian goose. It was a productive afternoon with 36 species identified.
Author: Tony Cummins
Riverside Park 1 January 2022
Ideal conditions greeted the twenty one members who assembled at Riverside Park for the first New Year Day walk in two years. Robins were in full voice and blue tits buzzed around the car park. A red kite swooped low overhead displaying its resplendent plumage. From a vantage point we could see across the river that small flocks of teal and lapwings were swimming on the flood. Blackbirds were active in the bushes as we made our way towards the lake. There the water was high and initially only gulls and tufted ducks could be seen. Closer to the island mallards and cormorants appeared and a pair of great crested grebes roosted on the water. Our approach to the marsh pool was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a buzzard being mobbed by crows; we were to have subsequent views of the bird perched close to us. On the marsh were some Canada geese and two Egyptian geese in the company of several shovelers. A kestrel hovered briefly as we crossed the reedbed on the boardwalk and back at the lake several common gulls had joined the flock. After an uneventful return to our starting point we paid a quick visit to Bower Lock and spotted a few long-tailed tits, a nuthatch and a pair of mute swans. An enjoyable walk produced a species list of 31.
Frensham Great Pond
Ten members met for the final walk of 2021 at Frensham. There was a Pied Wagtail in the car park. Along the lake were Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gulls, Coots, Moorhen, Mallards and Great Crested Grebes out on the water. A Grey Heron flew over our heads and perched in a tree while a Carrion Crow looked on. A couple of us glimpsed a Red Kite disappearing behind some trees. The Hotel and Sailing Club end of the lake seemed to be ‘Pochard corner” where a large group of splendid looking males were gathered. Although a male Goldeneye had been reported on Friday, there was no sign of it today.
The path alongside the overflow stream was productive and we stood and watched a mixed group of Tits which included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Marsh Tit. We also saw a couple of Goldcrests, two Siskin, a Treecreeper and a Jay. The path that loops back around the outflow pond was extremely quiet and sadly no Firecrest was seen on this occasion.
We walked around the far side of the pond on the return journey which was also rather quiet with no heathland birds in evidence though we did add Magpie to the list. Back at the car park a lone Redwing flew around in a circle overhead seemingly rather confused, bringing the total of species seen to 32 plus Pheasant, Stock Dove and Nuthatch heard only. All in all a very pleasant final outing of the year for the group.
Moor Green Lakes 4 December 2021
Seven members met on a bright but cold morning. The car park feeders held blue and great tits and goldfinches. Two red kites soared over us looking resplendent in the sunlight while a few redwings flew past. The paddock though was unusually quiet. We headed down the side of Colebrook Lake but the low sun prevented proper scanning until we reached the first viewpoint. Then we quickly identified several waterfowl species including wigeon, shovelers, tufted ducks and gadwall in good numbers as well as a few mallard and pochards. Coots were ubiquitous while with the exception of a pied wagtail the sole occupants of the main island were a dozen loafing cormorants. Particularly noticeable was the absence of any waders especially the lapwings that are normally a fixture on the site. The water on the pools to the west of the path was exceptionally high and we were able to see only black-headed gulls there. After a brief but unproductive reconnaissance west along the river we retraced our steps and headed east. As the view of Grove Lake opened out we spotted some goosanders, five drakes and a single female, showing their finery in the excellent light; at points they took to the air offering fresh opportunities for photographs. Meanwhile a speeding kingfisher streaked past. Across the lake a buzzard briefly appeared and a couple of grey herons maintained their stately stance. On our return we detoured over the bridge to the lake south of the river. There was a limited number of birds on the water but a treecreeper and a nuthatch offered a glimpse for some of us. Back at the car park we added a song thrush and a jackdaw together with a probable great spotted woodpecker to our sightings. Overall we had the impression that the site was much less populated than normal but the final list species still totalled 38.
Barn Elms 28 November 2021
Thirteen members gathered at this acclaimed WWT reserve on a bright but bitterly cold morning. Numerous parakeets were squawking loudly around the courtyard. From the impressive range of photographic kit present it was clear that a bittern was urgently needed. Fortunately that came quickly at the Dulverton hide. From there we had a clear but rather distant view across the main lake to a bittern among the reeds on the north side while a female goldeneye conveniently swam right in front of us. A second bittern sunning itself at our second stop, the WWF hide, was much closer and offered superb opportunities for our expert photographers who later circulated some stunning shots. Common snipe were on the grazing marsh near the Peacock Tower and on the lake. Over 70 lapwings were the only wader representatives present. Additional water birds included two shelducks, numerous Egyptian geese, gadwalls, a pochard, great black-backed gulls, numerous shovelers, teal, wigeon and just one each of little grebe and great crested grebe. A water pipit on the grazing marsh flew away before our ID discussion concluded but expert views solicited later established its identification. Total species seen totalled 41, excluding collection birds such as red-breasted geese and wood ducks – beautiful and very striking – but captive in the World Wetlands area.
Puttenham Common 20 November 2021
Eleven members met at Puttenham Common on
Saturday 20th November under overcast skies. After a short walk, we
arrived at Cuttmill Pond where three male Goosanders (IOC name Common
Merganser) were seen through the trees at the edge of the pond.
Approaching carefully, we soon had a very good view. Some of
the Group were able to see the serrated bill through the telescope which
gives rise to the name, “sawbill”.
Several male Mandarin Ducks weaved their way through the overhanging
bushes at the edge of the Pond. Through the telescope, we could see the
very different plumage of the female Mandarin Duck. Other ducks present
were Mallard, Tufted Duck and a colourful Shoveler. A
Kingfisher flew arrow straight across the Pond just in front us,
perching on the opposite side of the Pond where part of the Group were
able to get close up views through the telescope.
After this excellent start to the walk, we made our way to The Tarn,
another large lake where a Grey Heron sat high up at the top of a tall
tree. Two Great Crested Grebes were feeding on the lake. Walking across
a causeway between two lakes we noted Long-tailed Tit and
Nuthatch.
We climbed steeply to Hillbury, the top of Puttenham Common, reaching
360 feet (109 metres). A few members heard the call of Dartford Warbler
near the top. We paused for a well-earned coffee break with a panoramic
view. A Northern Raven cronked in the distance. On our way back down to
the start point, we came across a wandering flock of Goldcrests,
Blue Tits and Great Tits and heard a Bullfinch.
In 2.5 hours, we covered 2.4 miles, saw twenty two species and heard a further six.
West Wittering 14 November 2021
Thirteen members made the trip to the stunning location of East Head on Chichester Harbour. As we assembled in the car park handfuls of Brent geese flew over on their way to the feeding grounds that were slowly being uncovered on the falling tide. Then several huge flocks of golden plovers appeared high over the harbour circling in their typically tight formations. With this promising start we headed for the marsh pools in search of the high tide roost noting a fair number of rooks in the pastures as we passed. At the pools we found dozens of teal and a scattering of wigeon. The predominant wader species was lapwing while dotted among them were redshanks probing in the mud and a few somnolent grey plovers. Further round we identified nine greenshanks quietly roosting while up to a dozen little egrets accompanied by just a single grey heron stalked around. More waders had already settled on the harbour mud where we counted over fifty black-tailed godwits feeding on the side of a channel. Alongside were small numbers of oystercatchers and more redshanks while a knot feeding close to a grey plover allowed a close comparison of their respective sizes and plumages. By far though the most numerous species was Brent geese stretching away as far as the eye could see. As returned to the car park an unusual duck caught the eye; it had a chestnut coloured head, a duller brown body, a pale blue bill and a white undertail. We later speculated that it might be a ferruginous duck a species more likely to be an escapee than a wild bird.
After an early lunch we took the path around the Head where initially things were quiet (apart from the large numbers of Sunday visitors). At the north end of the dunes we finally encountered some of the golden plovers we had seen earlier their plumages resplendent as they sat on the sand. Distantly over fifty dunlins foraged at the edge of the tide while scanning identified a turnstone, a few more grey plovers and another greenshank. We then tried a little seawatching with limited results. Eventually a red-breasted merganser and a great crested grebe were seen while another grebe puzzled us for a while until it was tentatively identified as a black-necked. The dunes were unproductive but finally delivered a small flock of greenfinches feeding in the marram grass. The bird list for the day totalled 37 species.
Black Down 22 October 2021
Twenty four members met on a still autumn morning at this scenic National Trust site near Haslemere. A few blue tits and a goldcrest flitted around the car park while a jay squawked in the trees. On the way to the Temple of the Winds we encountered a mixed flock of tits and identified five species. Long-tailed tits were as usual the pathfinders but marsh tits with their trumpeting calls were the stars. On a distant pine two redwings were identified offering reasonable scope views. After drinking in the scenery from the viewpoint we left the woodland and were confronted with the sad sight of the rowans for which Black Down is noted already denuded of their leaves and carrying few berries. Down in the valley the whitebeams were also past their best and we were unable to spot any ring ouzels, our target species, although a goldcrest entertained us as we waited in hope. The ascent from the valley was similarly quiet but enlivened by a raven and a great spotted woodpecker feeding in a distant tree. Towards the end a flock of about twenty finches passed over. We identified them as linnets but when the flock later reappeared as a couple of members were departing from the car park it included a brambling or two. A lucky few also encountered good numbers of brambling with a few chaffinches a short way down Tennyson Lane. The walk was most enjoyable but somewhat disappointing for bird sightings with only 22 species identified.
Farlington Marshes 9 October 2021
Nine members met under a clear blue sky to walk around Farlington Marsh on land reclaimed in the 1700s. Though the tide was low we headed for the lake to try for bearded reedlings at their most active. The strategy paid off as we enjoyed good views of five swaying at the top of the tall reeds, the soft browns and blues highlighted in the sunshine. Formerly called bearded tits the reedling is actually a sister to the larks. A water rail located at the back of the lake and threading its way stealthily through the reeds was another great sighting. Loud bursts of song came from a nearby Cetti’s warbler hidden in the rushes.
We then took the path diagonally through the western corner of the reserve and by one of the water-filled bomb craters (the area was used to burn fires during World War II to decoy bombers away from nearby Portsmouth) we found an active collection of blackcaps, Cetti’s warblers and chiffchaffs. A sparrowhawk glided over our heads. Approaching the Deeps we saw many little egrets, at which point an eagle-eyed member saw the head of a glossy ibis and focused us on the area. After a minute’s anticipation we saw a purple head, then a long curved beak and a few minutes later the whole bird as it climbed out of a ditch on to he bank. The dark purple colour stood out in the bright sun. A peregrine flew over high and straight, the bulky body, tapered wings and continuous flight contrasting with the earlier sparrowhawk.
Having finished the circumnavigation of the reserve, we returned to the main lake before high tide. As well as the usual waders and ducks we were aware that a curlew sandpiper had been reported. Trying to locate it among the 20+ dunlins that were running round the legs of black-tailed godwits and a few ringed plovers proved very difficult. However we eventually succeeded in finding the target bird despite the marginal differences in size, bill length and shape from the dunlins but fortunately the good light enabled us to note the peachy wash of a juvenile as well as its slightly longer legs and different running style.
The walk proved both enjoyable and productive with 47 species identified, with some scarce birds seen in excellent viewing conditions.
The Burgh 30 September 2021
Six hardy members braved murky and blustery morning to walk along the South Downs to The Burgh and were fortunate to avoid precipitation from the dark clouds that loomed constantly. Immediately large numbers of pheasant were obvious no doubt much relieved about fewer shooting parties during lockdown. A sparrowhawk flew over while another numerous species was soon spotted, red kites elegantly gliding over the hillsides; at least sixteen were counted usually with a buzzard or two on hand. Then a raven or two cronked into view among the many carrion crows. At the summit several skylarks rose with a couple of meadow pipits below them. Small groups of linnets kept passing and two yellowhammers showed themselves briefly. Migrating swallow with a few house martins in their company kept passing over while a flock of well over a hundred goldfinches put in regular appearances. Down in the valley a marsh harrier was sighted patrolling the meadows and reappeared for further views later in the walk. Partridges though were the primary target but proved elusive in the generous, overgrown field margins. Eventually a group of red-legged partridges was identified crossing an opening in the vegetation. Grey partridges were easier to find but far more difficult to view. The sightings were all of plump, brown packages disappearing over the nearest hedgerow, a photographer’s nightmare! 22 species were identified the limited number compensated by the quality of some sightings and the sheer numbers of the rest.