Hampshire Dowitcher (3rd August)

A full days birding with Chris and Ephraim in the beautiful county of Hampshire.  Our target species of the day was the LB Dowitcher at Penington Marsh and together with Paul (who we met up with on site) we soon found ourselves overlooking Butts Lagoon.  The assembled line of birders directed us to the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER without much fuss after which we enjoying good views of it feeding contently with 2 Snipe at the center of the lagoon, bordering one of the larger islands!  Brilliant!!!

sum. plum. Long-billed Dowitcher

With our target bird already under the belt we lingered around the area for a couple more hours tallying in a couple of other nice species for the Hampshire day list that we'd been working on.  4 CURLEW SANDPIPERS were a good addition (nice adults in their transition into winter plumage).

Curlew Sandpipers

all four lined up in a row! 

No sign of the reported Little Stint but compensation in the form of 2 juv. Little Ringed Plovers and a selection of other waders including a flyover Golden Plover and a Sanderling on the shoreline tagging onto a group of Turnstone.  A male Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers and several Little Egrets also added to the already productive day before we headed to the New Forest for a change of scenery and species.

juv. Little Ringed Plover

With no obvious target species, we had a pleasant walk through the open woodland of the New Forest.  Butterflies were clearly very active with 8 Silver-washed Fritillaries, 3 Large Skippers and 5 Brimstone on the wing.

Brimstone

over mature female Keeled Skimmer

female Keeled Skimmer

Birds were also a key part with 3 Crossbills seen briefly in flight with a large flock heard deeper in the woodland.  Together, we picked out at least 5 Redstarts, Siskin and calling Marsh Tit but we had no luck with our final attempt at connecting with Honey Buzzard from the watchpoint.  Something for the next visit to Hampshire then.

Once again thanks to Chris for the driving and another good days birding!