11/12/2016 Into Dorset and Hampshire

Sunday 11 December 2016

I teamed up with Andrew and Paul for a twitch into Dorset and Hampshire.  It meant an early 07.30 start from Lancing in quite misty and damp conditions but with the promise of some sunny weather later on.

Lytchett Fields RSPB in Dorset

• Our target bird was the Lesser Yellowlegs, seen regularly on this reserve since September.  Just as we arrived it flew away but Paul and Andrew managed to see it in flight.  We then spent a long time searching for it, a non-too-easy task in the misty conditions.

• After the mist began to clear, Andrew, Paul and a local birder found the bird, this time on French's Pool.  The view was distant and into the sun however. I was searching for it on the original, adjacent pool so didn't get back in time to see it.  We didn't hang around for me to catch up with it.  It had disappeared again and as I had already seen one in Essex earlier in the year I was happy to move on.

Blashford Lakes in Hampshire

Our target bird here was the Ring-billed Gull that has been roosting here for some time now.  

• We arrived early so had time to visit the Woodland Hide, looking at birds on the feeders. Most of the usual suspects were present, the pick of them being Nuthatch, Siskin and Great Spotted Woodpecker,
• From Ivy North Hide we saw a Great White Egret flying over the lake but could not see any Bittern or Water Rail.
• We took our place early in the Tern Hide to ensure a good position later on.  In the meantime we enjoyed seeing 15+ Goosander, a Kingfisher, a Green Sandpiper, 5 Goldeneye, a Green Woodpecker, a White-fronted Goose and 10+ Egyptian Geese.
• The Ring-billed Gull did not show until 30 minutes before dusk, by which time we were getting a little anxious.  However the views were good and with Common Gulls and at least one Yellow-legged Gull in close proximity we were able to appreciate the list of key ID differences that Paul gave us 

A great day out! 

Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Bird List:
Ring-billed Gull   (261)