Into the Wild - Uriah Heep

Having crossed the boarder late afternoon the previous day there was little chance of even starting the Dorset Year List, let alone adding to the existing UK one but NEVER say NEVER. Carrion Crow was the first to join the County List followed in rapid succession by Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Robin, Grey Heron, Jackdaw, Great Tit and Magpie before the lights went out. There was however one nice little finale as unloading the car there was a 'singing'

 DUNNOCK

perched on the access step to Slight Return II - Welcome Home Bagsy!

There was a light and short lived frost the following morning and eager

to make an early start I headed for the horse paddocks where already

a number of 

 FIELDFARE

could be heard along with attendant Redwing, Starling and the ringing of the

 Blacksmith's Hammer against ANVIL

as he re-shoed Jen's Thoroughbred HONEY.

Groceries have to come into the equation at some point, so to get the chore out of the way it was decided to do it sooner rather than later. On the way back it was decided to stop at the Cottage in the Forest to wish Janet's Dad and Mum the Best for the New Year but with something of an ulterior motive in mind. Their huge, well maintained garden is usually chock-a-block with common woodland birds and I was not to be disappointed.

 TREECREEPER

was quickly added for the Year along with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Coal Tit (Dorset) to name but a few. Rancid butter and curdled milk are considered far less important than continuing 'birding' so next stop was to be the Gravel Pit at the north end of Parley Court Farm where my hope was fulfilled by the regular

 BULLFINCH

there.

Almost a daily occurrence are 

 RAVEN

transiting the property and on occasion alighting to find carrion.

 LONG-TAILED TIT

 is also more or less guaranteed here and one of the 2 small flocks

found had in tow a

 GOLDCREST

or two. 

GIBBET FIRS

don't usually hold much more than a pair of Coal Tit, but as a

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had been seen there at the end of 2014

it was going to be worth a try - but no joy!
Instead there was a chance to survey the 2

Early Bronze age 'Round Barrows'

 and also clap eyes on a second

 HIBERNACULAR

(Snake Pit)

which wasn't known to be in existence.

Quickly cutting along to the swampy / weedy area behind Eco,

where there are now a good number of over-wintering

 REED BUNTING

an estimate would be somewhere up to 30 individuals along with

 WREN

 (a chance to again air the images of the captured bird in 2014)

 GREY WAGTAIL

 and still probably as many as 100

LINNET

The best access to this usually very productive area, is via the grassy

areas outside of the solar panel perimeter fences and the boarder of Merritown Heath.

Here there is chance to check a couple of the Barn Owl Boxes at both an acceptable distance

 and under cover of the car. Having done this and driving away a large, grey bird

was seen flying off the heath and across my path instantly recognised as a

male HEN HARRIER

Do you grab the camera? Do you stop the engine? Do you get out of the vehicle?

Well all three in fact, but none making it possible to take a photograph of this sleek, scarce and delightful Raptor (unless you are a Vole that is). Plan 'B' was to race at best speed to the main Bridleway in an effort to cut it off as it progressed north, that also was not to be so once again we have relied on Wiki to illustrate this superb bird, a 'FIRST' for the property.

UK List = 76    Dorset List = 41

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All to Much - Ducks Deluxe

Continuing our journey back from Kingston-upon-Thames, after the morning visit to Gosport, we rejoined the M27 Motorway heading west as far as Cadnam then into the New Forest National Park. The narrow road to the tiny village of Fritham and our destination just beyond, Eyeworth Pond, is strewn with mature Oaks and Beech trees, the odd New Forest Pony and some of the best natural beauty in the land.

We should reiterate that it is not possible to photograph EVERY species

en-route, so once again we have turned to the archive for some of the images

MOORHEN
was added to the Year List before we even got to the car park
where a trio of familiar faces were already 'dug-in' undertaking the same mission.
They had strategically place some food at the one-bar-gate so in
quick succession

COAL TIT

MARSH TIT

and
CHAFFINCH
were added to the list.
Eyeworth is the most reliable place I know locally for

MANDARIN
being an odd day when they are missed.
Between us we were discussing the absence of one common woodland
bird when as if to order a pair of

NUTHATCH

landed on the equally carefully place logs.

Nice view if the spotted under-tail coverts.
A slow drive back to the main road, now the A31, where a
'hat trick' of Thrushes were also additions.

SONG THRUSH

MISTLE THRUSH
and

REDWING

A 20 minute drive across the top of the forest, affording beautiful views brought us to BLASHFORD LAKES, once a most productive series of Gravel Pits which, when redundant, were turned over to what in my view is the best Nature Reserve for 50 miles in any direction. Part of the Lakes complex is Kingfisher Lake which has its own access, via Hurst Road, away from the main Reserve entrance. Here, views are seriously limited and it is only by pure luck that a view of a

 

 FERRUGINOUS DUCK

returning here for its second year is available. With a high chain link fence and dense bramble bushes the 'scope has to be placed just right to view this 'scarce' vagrant from mainland Europe and beyond. Even then it ain't much of a view. The image is lifted from Wiki.

A Reserve of 2 halves, the watercourses attract 'thousands' of Waterfowl and Gulls while at the other side of the road the woodlands support an untold number of other species. Unfortunately, time was now pressing so it was decided to spend what time was left before dusk among the Geese and Ducks, and we did quite well. A crowded hide (boo) did have the advantage of many eyes and almost first in the telescope was the proverbial No 68 Bus! Having just left the Ring-billed Gull in Gosport here was a second, both in Hampshire unfortunately, but nice to encounter a second of these rare American vagrants. One in Dorset would be even better! Added to the Year List in quick succession were

COOT

WIGEON (male)

and female

TEAL (male

and female

GADWALL (male left)

GREYLAG GOOSE

BLACK-NECKED GREBE

LITTLE GREBE

GOOSANDER (male)
 
and female

the only 2
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
among what was surely 2000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls a sight to see

GOLDENEYE
female foreground

COMMON BUZZARD

TUFTED DUCK (male)

and female

POCHARD
male

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

SHOVELER (male)

and female

LAPWING
and

EGYPTIAN GOOSE

all of these in turn will be sort in Dorset to be added to the County List as well.

An invitation to dinner at Harbins Farm House had already been extended, and while I was aware that Hugh's sister and spouse would be in attendance it wasn't realised that this was to be a 'full blown' party affair. Along with his brother (Lord Lawnie) and wife Gwen et al, we enjoyed a fine meal including Confit of Canard (appropriate given my day) and some fine Cheeses. There was however a slight downturn as my resolve to reduce alcohol intake was served a severe blow in its infancy, not surprising as there were 4 decanters of vintage

2000

CHATEAU DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU

along with an encrusted Port on the table - Hic!

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