ARRIVAL AT SOUTHAMPTON CENTRAL - TRANSFER TO HOTEL IN LYNDHURST WITH A STOP AT BLASHFORD LAKES LNR
WEATHER: dull and overcast, light rain and a cold wind.
I dropped off Group 1 and at the same time collected Group 2, seven ladies from the same London RSPB Group. Everything went smoothly and soon we were on our way to Blashford Lakes near Ringwood.
On arrival at the lakes we made our way to North Hide at Ivy Lake, we saw very few species as we walked through the woodland but we heard Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Song Thrush and Wren, we saw a few common species.
From the hide we had excellent views of Reed Warblers as they dashed around in the reedbeds, we also saw Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, grey Heron, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed and herring Gulls and Common Terns. A Common Buzzard flew over as did Barn Swallow, Common Swift and Wood Pigeon.
Reed Warbler
We never had time to visit the South Hide so we walked back to the bus and drove the short distance to the Tern Hide which overlooks Ibsley Lake. This much larger body of water had several isalnds with gull and Tern nesting colonies. We added quite a few new species, especially waterfowl, three species of Goose was there, Canada, Greylag and Egyptian, also Tufted and Gadwall Ducks, Lapwings and dozens of Sand Martins.
a fine male Gadwall Duck
We had much better views of Common Tern and a massive gull roost included both Great and Lesser-black-backed Gulls. We also saw Pied Wagtail, and we heard Garden Warbler. A Red Kite drifted over the distant trees as did a Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard.
a view of Ibsley Lake from the Tern Hide
Soon it was time to leave, we headed off to Lyndhurst to our hotel and checked in around 5:30pm