Had a morning in the Upper Test / Hampshire Downs. Weather was scorching, and blue skies, and as a result the birding in South Hampshire looked to be pretty poor all round. Did manage to see the pair of Garganey at Timsbury shortly after dawn, together with a few Gadwall, and a Redshank.
Danebury Down was really brimming with birdlife, but aside from a Willow Warbler, very little of note. Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Fieldfares, Chiff-Chaffs, Yellowhammers and a single Redwing. I was very surprised not to see a single Wheatear despite a thorough search of the huge grazing field (which was full of Fieldfare!), and other promising areas.
A similar story at Broughton Down. Lots of common birds, but no joy.
Checked out more lakes near Stockbridge.. Tow Lakes. Same old story! fisheries, can't even see water form the footpaths! Looks like the fairly popular Ringwood lakes, or the Lower Test are my closest freshwater lakes.
Returned home via the Lapwing Territories, and they look to be on Eggs now, or very close.
Also checked out an ex-landfill site on the edge of North Baddesley. No footpaths, but a track followed the edge of a turf field which is worth keeping an eye on. Also a very dense field of hawthorn and scrub had a nice male Stonechat standing watch. | 
