Hampshire is enjoying a purple patch at the moment and this continued with the news that a Spanish Sparrow had been identified at Calshot.  With Tony away at sea, Steve and I shot down this afternoon with hopes of seeing the bird. We parked away from the estate as requested and could see that birders were already present. We decided to set up, looking at the feeders in the back garden of number 48. A couple of hours passed and we eventually split up with me standing by the hedges that flanked the B road. Time passed and I decided to try another part of the estate. As I walked to the corner I could see that a birder was pointing out a hedge on the other side of the road and sure enough the bird was there. A quick call to Steve and we both got brief views through Pete Gammage’s scope. It then moved a little further down into some ivy covered trees.  As dusk set in a number of sparrows were moving into a tree on the edge of the B road and sure enough the Spanish male appeared near the top. This was by far the best view for all present and was worth the long wait.

Spanish Sparrow, Calshot, 10th January 2012 – Photo : Steve C

Spanish Sparrow, Calshot, 10th January 2012 – Photo : Steve C

View of Spanish Sparrow (bird at very top), Calshot, 10th January 2012

Some of the other Males present had varying degrees of white in their faces and it maybe that this bird has been around long enough to breed a few times. A good bird and great to meet up with some Hants birders, thanks to Pete Gammage and Martin Gillingham for their help.
Mark C.