March 04, 2007
Saturday 3rd March
BLASHFORD LAKES
It was a lovely morning, so we headed for a regular birding haunt of ours, the Blashford Lakes Reserve.
We started by looking over Ibsley Water where the water level was high after recent rain. There were still good numbers of duck, such as Pochard, Tufted and Ruddy Duck, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Goldeneye, Teal, Gadwall, and of course Mallard. Other birds included Great-crested and Little Grebes, Greylag and Canada Geese, and an Oystercatcher.
We then walked a circuit of the reserve “proper” around Ivy Lake. There were many signs of spring; drifts of wild daffodils, Hazel and Alder catkins, Primroses and Celandines, but above all birdsong. We were greeted by a singing Chiffchaff near the car park, two Mistle Thrushes picked over the grass, a Green Woodpecker yaffled and a Greater-spotted Woodpecker flew over. Other woodland birds were represented by Nuthatch, Siskin, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Jay, and Bullfinch, and a large and vocal Redwing flock was a reminder of winter.
Goldfinches and Siskins fed on nyger seed at the feeding station near the reserve centre, where a Goldcrest flitted around our heads.
Blackthorn
Hazel Catkins
Wild Daffodils
Goldcrest
Goldfinch & Siskin
Posted by Frampton25 at March 4, 2007 10:41 AM