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Chandlers Ford “Falcons” |
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Date: 16/02/2008 |
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Check List for the White Water, New Forest, fieldtrip |
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BIRD LIST
Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Fieldfare Crow Rook Blackbird Black-headed Gull Greenfinch Robin Chaffinch Kestrel Woodlark Blue Tit Crossbill Heron Buzzard Dartford warbler Magpie Stonechat Reed Bunting Siskin Coal Tit Lesser Redpoll Great Tit Meadow Pipit Goldcrest
26 species |
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A crisp cold morning with clear blue skies and a gentle wind. A bit chilly to stand around, but perfect for a gentle hike through the New Forest.
From the car park we saw a flock of fieldfare. Handsome birds with that distinctive grey head.
We were hoping for a Great Grey Shrike. We had prepared in our indoor meeting to be able to identify this rare bird (for the UK). But we were to be unlucky. The white belly and throat of a distant magpie made us think (momentarily) that we had found one—but it was not to be.
However, we had a superb sighting of a male crossbill. No more that about 8m away, looking down with interest at our little group.
A woodlark was seen by a few of the group and a Dartford warbler also showed itself. We were luck to see a lesser redpoll. And then there were stonechats and (unexpectedly) a reed bunting, thrushes and more.
For me, the best part of the day were the kestrels. Startling yellow legs easily seem whilst perched in trees and on the stump near the river, as well as the hovering behaviour directly above us.
Pete Feb 2008 |