14/02/2015 Hampshire - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Goshawks

Saturday 14th February 2015
New Forest, Hampshire

Weather conditions were due to be "iffy" today.  Nevertheless a trip to the New Forest in Hampshire was long overdue so it was on.



Mark Ash Wood 

• With a little help from Matt and Adam, also visiting from Sussex, I was able to get my first view of 2015 of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  It didn't last long, as the bird soon flew away, but it was full of quality as it perched on the bare branch of a tree about 100 metres from us.  We tracked it for several minutes before it finally disappeared into the forest.

• Earlier 4 Hawfinches showed in the canopy of the trees on the opposite side of the road to the car park.  More were seen at various points in the forest.

• Also seen were Bramblings and a Treecreeper.

The only "dip" was with the Tawny Owl which was not at it's usual roost tree.



Acres Down

• I had outstanding views of several Goshawks, mostly males with at least one stunning female.  Just before leaving I saw a pair performing their famous "aerial gymnastics" - amazing!

• Also seen were several Woodlarks, often singing as they went about their business.

Blashford Lakes
After "dipping" with the Ferruginous Duck on Kingfisher Lake I was more successful at the other lakes.



 Rockford Lake

•  A super male Long-tailed Duck was showing well.  Also seen was a drake Goldeneye.

 Blashford Lakes Centre

•  I saw my first Lesser Redpoll of the year - a stunning male, less than 5 metres away from the hide.

Gosport
The final "dip" of the day was the Ring-billed Gull at Gosport where the bird was nowhere to be seen - probably down to the rain which was now quite heavy. 






Incredibly I had seen the most difficult birds on my wish list and dipped on the one's that I considered to be bankers.  A super yet strange day with 5 additions to my 2015 BUBO UK Bird List.





Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker   (158) 
Woodlark   (159)
Goshawk   (160)
Long-tailed Duck   (161)
Lesser Redpoll   (162)



Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Egyptian Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Gadwall
Mallard
Shoveler
Pochard
Tufted Duck   (10)
Long-tailed Duck
Goldeneye
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Little Egret
Buzzard
Goshawk
Coot
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull    (20)
Common Gull
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Woodlark
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin   (30)
Blackbird
Mistle Thrush
Song Thrush
Redwing
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Marsh Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch   (40)
Treecreeper
Magpie
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Brambling
Goldfinch
Siskin   (50)
Lesser Redpoll
Hawfinch