Wildern School

27/03/07 - Black Redstart viewed outside my science classroom before flying off high north.

Titchfield Haven NNR

Unfortunately no sign of the Iceland Gull from Hill Head Sailing Club, apparantly it flew in the direction of the Isle of Wight. But the Spoonbill was visible, if a bit distant too from the bridge. The drake Scaup was also there with 2 Whistling Ducks. 2 Med Gulls flew in at high tide.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was on Haslar Creek and at least 5 Mediterranean Gulls were there companying it (4 adults & a 1st winter).

The Gulls weren't particuarly showing well but to get it between 2 summer Meds was quite nice. (c) Ashley Howe

New Forest

Another visit to the New Forest, where we tried for Goshawk. I'll keep stoom about the exact location as they do breed in the area. Anyway, the day took along time to get in full swing with only Mandarin and Grey Wagtail before midday. A few Siskin, Marsh Tits and Crossbill were about (the latter came down from the trees to drink). As we walked back to the car park we located a few Firecrest and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (finally i have had a decent view of these little buggers).

By late afternoon we moved to the Blackwater Arboretum where we managed a few Hawfinch and Brambling, plenty of Siskin as expected. And a couple of showy Firecrests.

Male Crossbill feeding upside down on a Pine Tree (c) Ashley Howe

Cornwall and South Wales

Well this has been an amazing weekend although dipping the Glaucous-winged Gull was abit annoying. Follow this link: White-billed Diver, Spotted Sandpiper & Franklin's Gull on Hayle Estuary, Cornwall and more Trust me! Theres some pretty good pics on there.

(c) Ashley Howe. White-billed Diver on the Hayle Estuary by the Co-op bridge.

There are more pictures of everything if you follow this link