HAMPSHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR NOVEMBER 2025
After an autumn that had produced few rarities, there were more notable sightings during November. A Boat-tailed Grackle at Calshot (2nd-6th) and nearby at Holbury (from 15th) was the first ever record for Britain, but was likely ship assisted and is therefore unlikely to be accepted to the British List. A Great Shearwater in Southampton Water (26th) was the first confirmed record for Hampshire. Titchfield Haven hosted three Penduline Tits (9th-12th), while a Green-winged Teal appeared in Chichester Harbour by Langstone Mill Pond (28th-30th).
Scarcer wildfowl included a Scaup in Langstone Harbour (4th-5th), three Velvet Scoter off the Weston Shore area (23rd-30th) and a Long-tailed Duck at Normandy Marsh (1st-12th), while a late Garganey was at Needs Ore (8th).. A Red-necked Grebe was also off the Weston Shore area (15th-30th), but there was only one Slavonian Grebe reported, at Calshot (19th-20th). Up to two Black-necked Grebes were on Ibsley Water and a single was off Brownwich (28th). The only Black-throated Diver was off Brownwich (2nd).
A Leach’s Petrel off Pennington Marshes (1st) was the only notable seabird reported.
An unseasonable Wood Sandpiper was at Budds Farm (6th) and Hayling Island (15th), while the only Spotted Redshanks were three at Normandy Marsh and one at Bunny Meadows, Warsash. Up to six Glossy Ibis were in the Titchfield Haven area and a single bird visited Farlington Marshes (21st). Spoonbills peaked at 19 at Normandy Marsh, with other records from Lepe and Titchfield Haven, while Cattle Egrets peaked at 39 at Northney, Hayling Island. The only Bittern was at Blashford Lakes (23rd).
After a couple of poor years, it was good to see probably three Great Grey Shrikes in the New Forest, with one well-watched individual in the Shatterford area and others at Handy Cross Plain (15th) and Markway Inclosure (23rd). Short-eared Owls were at Hook-with-Warsash (3rd), Gunner Point, Hayling Island (17th), Titchfield Haven (18th) and Brownwich (21st). Merlins were reported at eleven sites, while a couple of Hen Harriers were roosting in the New Forest. The last Osprey of the year was over Hayling Island (10th).
Passerines included a Ring Ouzel at Old Basing (4th), Yellow-browed Warblers at Fishlake Meadows (7th) and Pig Bush (8th), Siberian Chiffchaff at Stubbington (8th) and Black Redstarts at ten sites. A late Wheatear was at Hill Head (10th).