|
HAMPSHIRE DECEMBER 2011
BLASHFORD LAKES / AVON VALLEY
Highlights included up to six Bewick's Swans (from 3rd) - on the
reserve and in the nearby Avon Valley, drake Ferruginous Duck (30th,
31st), redhead Smew (18th, 27th), Black-necked Grebe (1st, 2nd), two
Bittern (throughout), the regular Great White Egret and Caspian Gull
(28th).
HAYLING ISLAND
With autumn over, but winter not arriving, it was a very quiet month.
The highlight was a rare visit from the three East Head (Sussex) Snow
Buntings (21st). A Red-necked Grebe lingered, along with up to four
Slavonian Grebes, up to three Eider, Common Scoter, Guillemot,
Razorbill, Red-throated and Great Northern Divers. Strong winds brought
ten Gannets and seven Kittiwakes (11th). Sandwich Terns were prominent
throughout, with a peak of 17 (3rd). 800 Golden Plover (21st) was a
notable count, and there were singles of Black Brant, Black Redstart,
Whimbrel, Jack Snipe (22nd), Firecrest (5th) and Yellowhammer (from
27th).
LYMINGTON TO HURST
Main interest was offshore with up to 55 Eider, a few Common Scoter, adult male Long-
tailed Duck (west on 14th), Red-throated Diver (4th, 6th, 21st
and three 27th), three Great Northern Divers (2nd with two remaining
throughout). Six Slavonian Grebe were off Pennington (2nd, with
one remaining throughout). Great Skuas were seen (3rd,8th) but
the highlight was a third-winter Caspian Gull at Normandy (29th).
Raptors seen throughout the month were two female Marsh Harriers, up to
three Peregrine and a Merlin. Waders included two Avocet (21st,
with one remaining), up to 130 Golden
Plover, Ruff , Sanderling (27th), ten Spotted Redshank, two Knot and
eight Bar-tailed Godwit. Two Water Pipits were in the area (from
2nd).
TITCHFIELD HAVEN
Waterfowl and waders included Great White Egret (3rd), Bittern (several
dates), up to four Pintail (several dates), Goldeneye (10th), Water
Rail, Avocet (23rd, 27th), up to 97 Golden Plover (several dates), six
Knot (1st), Woodcock (15th), two Bar-tailed Godwit (throughout), and
Greenshank (several dates). Raptors included Marsh Harrier
(9th-12th), Merlin (8th) and Peregrine (8th, 15th, 21st, 29th).
Other birds included Mediterranean Gull (1st, 27th, 28th), two
Kingfisher, Water Pipit (3rd), over 100 Fieldfare, Cetti's Warbler,
Bearded Tit and Treecreeper, Raven (several dates) and up to ten
Siskin. Offshore were 25 Eider (9th, plus singles 22nd, 30th),
Common Scoter (10th), Red-throated Diver (9th, 11th, 14th, 16th), Great
Northern Diver (6th, 22nd), Slavonian Grebe (13th), Purple Sandpiper
(31st), Little Gull (8th), Sandwich Tern (2nd, 14th, 16th), Guillemot
(11th) and Little Auk (east on 11th).
ELSEWHERE
Rarities included Cattle Egret at Warblington (from 18th); a group of
three Common Cranes at Awbridge/Timsbury (16th), Beaulieu Heath (south
17th), and Botley Wood/Swanwick (flyovers on 18th); Ring-billed
Gull at Gosport; Iceland Gull at Gosport/Portsmouth Harbour (from
27th); Yellow-browed Warbler at WestWood-Netley (1st); Siberian
Chiffchaff at Stubbington (from 17th); Dark-eyed Junco at Hawkhill
Inclosure-New Forest (24th-31st) and Snow Bunting at Cadmans Pool-New
Forest (4th-6th). Hen Harriers, Merlins and Short-eared Owls were
at several sites; Black Redstarts at Fort Cumberland, Gosport and
Stubbington; and Great Grey Shrike at four New Forest sites.
Offshore sightings included Black-throated Diver in the Eling
area (from 19th); Great Northern Divers at Langstone Harbour mouth (1-
3 from 16th) and Southampton Water (1-4 throughout); Slavonian Grebes
in Langstone Harbour (12th), Stokes Bay (four on 13th) and Weston Shore
(27th); and up to 11 Black-necked Grebe in Langstone Harbour.
Richard Carpenter with Andy Johnson and Steve Piggott.
|
