Spring Migrants - 1st March

[simoncurson]

A Little Ringed Plover was at Blashford on 29th Feb - the first proper spring migrant I have heard of.

Keep your eyes open for Sand Martins over water bodies and Wheatears at the coast over the next couple of weeks.

Simon Curson.

[Weaverbird]

Good Morning Simon, I found a hare yyesterday and got some photos. Have you seen any around recently? I will email you some photos later. Just wondering if we might be able to meet up for a Goshawk viewing? Will they have started displaying yet? Otherwise could you advise me of where I might look for them please? I hope you have a nice day.

[simoncurson]

Owen,

Goshawks have been displaying since about mid January and it is getting towards the end of the season when they display. The best place to look for them is up on Acres Down. Choose a sunny day with little wind.

Summer migrants - I saw the Little Ringed Plover and some Sand Martins over Ivy Lake at Blashford on Wednesday 5th March.
Sand Martins have also been seen at Stanpit. Keep your eyes peeled over any water bodies.

Simon Curson.

[simoncurson]

More Sand Martins have been seen, especially at Blashford where there were also 30 Brambling yesterday (11th March).

Other migrants recently have been a Black Redstart at Portland, Firecrest at Hengistbury and a Whimbrel at Keyhaven.

Wheatears have been seen at Portland too, but they should be arriving at Hengistbury, Keyhaven etc any day now. We just need some nice southerly winds.

Today (12th March) there is a Spoonbill at Keyhaven on Keyhaven Lagoon and an Iceland Gull near Fawley at Badminston Gravel Pits.

Simon Curson

[Dennis]

Badminston GP is well worth a visit if youre down this way, this morning there were, Blach Headed, Mediteranean,Common, Icelandic (1), Great Black Backed and Herring Gulls in good numbers,  as well as Mallard, teal, pintail etc. (Acocets were seen here last year) If you carry on down the path which leads to Calshot emerging next to the Village Garage Goldcrest, Firecrests, Bullfinches and a good selection of Tits can be seen in the wooded areas along the path, all the usual thrushes can be seen in the fields and you normally get excellent views of Buzzards. The Marsh Harrier was over Calshot Marshes this Morning and a Barn Owl can be seen there at dusk

[Dennis]

Gaye found our first Wheatear of the year while we were walking the dogs this evening (12th March), it was by the bridge at the back of Fawley Power Station

[Dennis]

Wheatear still present this morning (13th March), also 2 female Black Redstarts behind the Powerstation boat store in the same area.

[Weaverbird]

Hi Simon thanks for that. Could you advise me of a grid reference as I'm not really sure where Acres Down is? I saw and photographed a beautiful Whimbrel at Pagham at the weekend. What an amazing sight. Have you sen any hares recently? If you have could you advise me of a good place to look for them and the best time of day to see them boxing?  I hope you like the photos. Thanks. Owen

Owen,

Goshawks have been displaying since about mid January and it is getting towards the end of the season when they display. The best place to look for them is up on Acres Down. Choose a sunny day with little wind.

Summer migrants - I saw the Little Ringed Plover and some Sand Martins over Ivy Lake at Blashford on Wednesday 5th March.
Sand Martins have also been seen at Stanpit. Keep your eyes peeled over any water bodies.

Simon Curson.

[simoncurson]

Acres Down is just south west of Lyndhurst and is signposted from the A35 going from Lyndhurst towards Christchurch.
For Brown Hares it is best to look on the Downs in the early morning.

Summer migrants around now include decent numbers of Chiffchaffs coming in and Sand Martins over water bodies.
There have been quite a few Wheatears at the coast and a couple of Black Redstarts.

The first Swallows and House Martins have already been seen and a couple of Red Kite came over Hampshire yesterday (17th) so keep your eyes on the skies.