Skater's Waltz - Émile Waldteufel

The only Frost for 2 or 3 weeks arrived last night, but while of a fairly 'hard' one it was also very short lived. By 08:00 you might have thought it Spring, with the sun peeking above what remain of the banks of the Stour and a cacophony of bird song (Robin, Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush to name but a few) but the long range forecast predicts that will be quickly curtailed too.

On arrival at Harbins Tennis Court

the surrounding Trees and

Parley Pond
seemed to be regenerating Christmas but not much to the liking of

 the local 'tame' Duck population.

 Had the thaw not been in progression we may not have offered any
Barley, we don't want any stranded birds in Ice Holes not even from among this
Mötley Crüe

MUTE SWANs
of the Ice Breaker type.

 Pond Side Vegetation

 also looking good.
So, back to Blashford, ostensibly to visit the woodland, but
there was firstly a little unfinished business to attend to at the Tern Hide.
This time there was little difficulty picking up on the

 LONG-TAILED DUCK
but then something that hadn't even occurred to me, a dozen

 PINTAIL
 
 slowly paddled their way across Ibsley Water feeding en-route.
Moments after the hide was vacated, except for myself, with one of the 3 male

 RUDDY DUCK
appearing from nowhere before heading for the woods.
The sole occupant of the Ivy Hide was quick to point out a
most obliging and extremely vocal

 WATER RAIL
My informant left at which point a Black-headed Gull 'flushed' a
Green Sandpiper from a mid-water boulder and enter 2
Hampshire Hogs doing a day 'Twitch' (seeing how many species they
could record in a 24 hour period). They were delighted with the news
of the Rail and Wader then went on quickly to locate the

 BITTERN

 concealed in hardly enough reeds to cover the area of
Slight Return II - nice one!
A full house at the Woodland Hide which seemed to be overhung
with discontent at the absence of the usual Siskin and Redpoll flock.
Buzz seemed to be there were 'none' on the reserve but only a short walk
away the Alders (full of fruit) and gunwales under with

 SISKIN
and on closer inspection a few Goldfinch and

 LESSER REDPOLL

I do love this place and just a 15 minutes drive from my current caravan site.

HEAVEN!

It is only occasionally that I return via the Matchams Road, mainly to

check the riverside and water meadows and ALWAYS take the wrong

turning under the flyover. However, partway to Verwood stands the archetypal

Hansel and Gretel Cottage.

and one from just a little further afield, a newly 'ringed'

SNOW BUNTING
at Seaton Snook, Cleveland
thanks to Dave Foot's recent visit there.
Did you bring one back with you Dave?

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