24/02/2019 With the East Grinstead RSPB Group in Hampshire

Sunday 24 February 2019

Acres Down, Hampshire

Our primary reason for visiting Acres Down was to see Goshawks and we were rewarded big time, with some outstanding views.

• Within minutes of arriving, just before 10.00, we were on to 2 Goshawks, both perched in the distant high trees some couple of hundred metres apart.  Although there was some haze, the views were awesome.  The birds remained in place for a prolonged time, guaranteeing that everyone present got to see them in the scopes.
• We were also keen to see their flight display too but the birds kept us waiting for this.  The wait was well worth it though, as the birds put on a fabulous flight sequence.  By now there were 3 birds and all showing well in the glorious sunshine.
• Incredibly, there was little in the way of a support cast.  Buzzard numbers were lower than usual.  We neither heard nor saw any Woodlarks.  Crossbills and/or Hawfinches eluded us as well.  Stonechats were seen but not Dartford Warbler.  I also managed to add Mistle Thrush to my year list.

Blashford Lakes

 

We moved on to Blashford Lakes for lunch before visiting the hides in the afternoon.  The place looked like a building site on both sides of the road, with work at the information centre and on Ibsley Lake where the Tern hide had been demolished and work was being done prior to the new hide going up. 

• We had superb views of a Bittern from the north hide, as it crossed the channel away to our left.  A second bird was present but stayed put and was not so easy to see.
• The support cast didn't show up here as well.  There were no Redpolls, Siskins or Bramblings at the feeders by the Woodland hide the first two of these species were seen by some in the high trees on the way to the hide.
• Myself and Alastair were lucky to see the Firecrest in the tree by the hide before it was scared off by the gathering crowd.
• On Ibsley, water from the building site where the Tern hide was, we managed to see the normal water birds, including Goosander, Goldeneye, Pochard, Marsh Harrier etc.

• All 19 of us went home very happy with the days haul with sightings of Goshawk, Bittern and Firecrest justifying the time and effort of the 200 mile round trip.
• The awesome weather also played a huge part in guaranteeing a great day out