A fairly distant Wagtail looked like a good contender for a White Wagtail on Hoe Lane this afternoon. Was on the ground in a flooded field, but the distance plus wind, made viewing difficult. Certainly had an obvious contrast between Glossy black bib / Crown / Nape, versus a lighter grey back. Grey back also contrasted strongly with black primaries. Primaries had white edges. Couldn't see the rump though, and the flanks looked dirty at one point, but eventually put this down to the wind blowing the feathers out.
Field also had Fieldfare in, and is worth checking out if I'm driving that way. The nearby Pheasant covers will be just about finished until next winter now.
Went on to Broughton Down to see if this place is worth keeping an eye on in the coming months. Only took about 20 mins to get there, and the climb to the down would keep me fit! Took a wrong turn initially and found myself surrounded by huge fields of Oil seed, and probably the worst birding habitat in Hampshire. However, eventually found the Down nature reserve and was quite impressed with the habitat of the steep north slope. Grazed grassland with many bushes. Will definitely return in search of Redstarts, Ring Ouzels, and Wheatears! Today there were a few Fieldfare, Skylarks and Roe Deer plus Hares in the large crop fields viewable from the top.
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