May 14th 2008
2 Temminck's Stints on The Deeps, Farlington Marshes and immature Spoonbill. At Blashford Lakes 1 Grey Plover, 5 Dunlin and 1 Ringed Plover on Ibsley Water.

May 10th 2008
Black-winged Stilt at Blashford Lake on Ibsley Water. Red-footed Falcon watched at Ridley Plain, New Forest and an Eagle species seen at Pig Bush, Shatterford and Acres Down. At Keyhaven 1 pair of Garganey on Avon Floods, Spoonbill and 1 Brent Goose still.

May 8th 2008
Sorry there has been no news for a week as we have been on holiday - what a week to pick with so much around but for today a Pallas's Warbler was singing at Sandy Point on Hayling Island. At Hill Head a female Velvet Scoter off shore plus 2 Arctic Skuas and 4 Black Terns and 13 Sanderlings on the shoreline. At Keyhaven a Temminck's Stint plus a male Garganey, Little Ringed Plover and Spoonbill, plus a good selection of waders including Sanderling, Whimbrel, Knot and Common Sandpiper, seawatching produced 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Black Terns, lots of Common Scoter going past and 1 Velvet Scoter. At Blashford Lakes a Hobby, 15+ Common Terns and a Commond Sandpiper. And finally an Eagle Owl turned up in a garden in Emsworth

April 29th 2008
A seawatch off Gosport, Stokes Bay this morning produced 16 Roseate Terns, 14 Black Terns, 9 Arctic Terns, 56 Little Terns, an Arctic Skua and Great Northern Diver.

April 25th 2008
At Keyhaven Spoonbill on Fishtail Lagoon still, Green-winged Teal at Hook-on-Warsash. At Soberton SU624166 male Ring Ouzel viewed from footpaths. At Blashford 2 Hobby and 3 Greenshank on Ibsley Water.

April 25th 2008
Green-winged Teal male at Hook with Warsash. At Keyhaven Spoonbill on Fishtail Lagoon still, on Butts Lagoon 1 Sanderling, also 1 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 22 Whimbrel and 2 Little Terns. Off Hurst Spit a Pomarine Skua, a group of 10 Velvet Scoter with 2 Common Scoter plus a few Common, Sandwich and Little Terns through. At Blashford Lakes today up to 10 Common Terns, 5 Common Sandpipers and 3 Dunlin on Ibsley Water. A Wood Warbler singing between the Woodland and Ivy Lake North hides and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers again.

April 20th 2008
A much better day for migrants and sea passage, with good numbers of Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwits, Common Scoter, terns including 2 Roseate Terns past Stokes Bay. At Titchfield Haven 1 pair of Garganey on floods at upper haven. At Lower Test Marshes a White-fronted Goose. Past Hurst Spit 4 Pomarine Skuas and at Milfrod a male Black Redstart, 29 Whimbrel, Marsh Harrier and a White Wagtail.

April 17th 2008
At Blashford Lakes today on Ibsley Water 1 Grey Plover, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, 3 Swifts, 2 Common Terns and around the Woodland Hide pair Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and a few Brambling still. At Keyhaven 20 Whimbrel and offshore a Great Skua, Little Gull, Velvet Scoter and a movement of Common Scoter, Common, Sandwich and Little Terns. At Budds Farm 3 Little Gulls and a pair of Garganey.

April 15th 2008
On our group walk this morning at Keyhaven we had excellent views of Spotted Redshank and Greenshank in same area, a flight of 17 Whimbrel and the colour ringed Spoonbill is still there. A pair of summer plumage Common Gulls were very smart, a Sand Martin and 2 Swallows put in an appearance. Also on the ploughed field along New Road a group of 36 Golden Plovers some in summer plumage.

Other news Red Kite seen at Beaulieu mid afternoon and 1 Cattle Egret still at Clobb farm, St. Leonards Grange (SZ408995).

April 13th 2008
On Ibsley Water 10 Whimbrel and 1 Common Sandpiper. Seawatching from Milford this morning produced a Spoonbill (but not the Pennington Marshes one), Great Skua, 8 Common Scoter, 3 Whimbrel and 32 Kittiwakes.

April 10th 2008
Not much reported today but a Red Kite seen over Ibsley Water south @ 3.45p.m, 2 Little Ringed Plover. Hobby at Lower Test Marshes.

April 6th 2008
On our visit to Blashford Lakes today we were told of an Osprey seen over at 9.40 luckily our group picked one up along the Avon river at 11.45. About 200 Sand Martins, several Swallows and 1 or 2 House Martins over Ibsley Water and just outside the Tern Hide a Little Ringed Plover. In the Woodland Hide and the Visitor Centre feeders Brambling, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll. Spoonbill at Pennington Marshes and Titchfield Haven, 2 Osprey over Andover in the morning.

April 5th 2008
At Keyhaven the Spoonbill and Water Pipit still, 3 Ruff, 3 Knot, female Merlin and 2 Sandwich Terns. At Titchfield Haven a Spoonbill, White-fronted Goose and a 320+ Mediterranean Gulls!

April 4th 2008
Osprey still at Lower Test Marshes on tree stump behind reedbed. Keyhave male Redstart, Reed Warbler, 3 Whimbrel and 30+ Willow Warblers, 13 Purple Sandpipers at Barton and a probable Red Kite seen over M27 between Ower and Cadnam.

April 3rd 2008
At Titchfield Haven today over 100 Mediterranean Gulls, White-fronted Goose and Spoonbill. At Lower Test Marshes an Osprey. The 2 Cattle Egret still in the Bucklers Hard area.

April 1st 2008
On our walk this morning at Testwood Lakes with many birds singing including Chiffchaff, other birds seen included Redwing, 4 Sand Martins and 2 Little Ringed Plovers. At Keyhaven in the afternoon we had the Spoonbill, plus Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear and off shore quite a few Red-breasted Mergansers and a single female Eider. Also reported in the area at Blashford Lakes an adult Little Gull flew north and a Black Kite was seen in the Aldershot area over Bourley and Long Valley.

March 30th 2008
At Pennington Marshes Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank and a Swallow, Water Pipit on Balancing Pond and Bearded Tit were active. At Blashford Lakes from the Tern Hide 2 Little Ringed Plover and in the Woodland Hide 80+ Bramblings, Siskins and a few Redpolls, also a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker have been seen in this area.

March 27th 2008
5 Whooper Swans arrived at Testwood Lakes yesterday and still there early this morning, 4 Little Ringed Plovers there, Osprey over North Baddesley mid morning, Hen Harrier ringtail close to Pound Lane at Emer Bog, Baddesley Common. At Harbridge Cattle Egret still, on Blashford Lakes, Ibsley Water an Osprey over this afternoon, a few Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Wheatears, Goldeneye still, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has been seen most days from the Woodland Hide.

March 24th 2008
White-tailed Eagle seen again near the area last seen in January, today near Porton Down and flying from Hampshire into Wiltshire. Osprey seen flying over Whitsbury towards Toyd Down this afternoon. The Cattle Egret still at Harbridge. Green Sandpiper at Test Valley Marshes, 2 Slavonian Grebes Pennington and Spotted Redshank. At Farlington 1 Avocet and 2 Wheatears. Adult Ring-billed Gull still at Walpole Park, Gosport.

March 22nd 2008
At Blashford Lakes a lot of Alba wagtails about including at least 1 White Wagtail. Over at the Woodland Hide a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has been seen also there and at the Visitor Centre feeders up to 75 Brambling, Siskins and Redpoll.

March 19th 2008
Pennington Marshes - 4 Long-tailed Ducks of the Butts, 2 Slavonian Grebes and several Mediterranean Gulls, Peregrine and Water Pipit on Balancing Pond. At Titchfield Haven White-fronted Goose from Knights Bank Hide. At Farlington Marshes - Water Pipit and 1 Avocet. Blashford Lakes, 3 Wheatears, approx 100 Sand Martins at 9a.m but disappeared by 10a.m. 6 Goosanders (3 pairs), 8 Ruddy Duck, 1 Black-necked Grebe, Goldeneye.

March 17th 2008
Red Kite over Fareham at 8a.m. this morning. Swallow at Eastleigh and 7 Sand Martins Itchen Valley by Sewerage works. 11 Wheatear at Abbotswood, Romsey in cow field. Water Pipit south west end of seawall at Normandy Marsh. At Blashford Lakes, Ibsley Water 3 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Wheatears, 2 Little Ringed Plover,1 House Martin and at the Visitor Centre 30+ Bramblings, 3 Lesser Redpoll.

March 16th 2008
Several Wheatears seen along the coast today including 2 on the shoreline of Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes, also here 140 Sand Martins, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 8+ Chiffchaffs singing. At Southsea Castle 7 Purple Sandpipers.

March 15th 2008
A good scattering of Wheatears today along the coast and reports of singing Chiffchaff. Drake Garganey were seen at Normandy Marshes and also at Lower Pennington Lane with Shoveler. Also at Keyhaven 1 Water Pipit on Balancing Pools, 3 Long-tailed Ducks offshore, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Owl and 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Lapland Bunting still at Sturt Pond. On Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes, 30-40 Sand Martins today, 3+ Swallows, 15+ Goosander at least 1 Black-necked Grebe still and 2 Mediterranean Gulls . In the New Forest a ringtail Hen Harrier at Pitts Wood and Great Grey Shrike at Clay Hill, Burley SU235025.

March 13th 2008
Red Kite over Longcross Plain this morning flying in direction of Ibsley. At Keyhaven Spoonbill has been seen in various spots this morning, 2 Water Pipits on Balancing Pond, also 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 6 Mediterranean Gulls in area, at Sturt Pond, Lapland Bunting seen again. At Blashford Lakes, Ibsley Water 3 Black-necked Grebes, 15 Sand Martins, and Brambling Siskin and Redpolls still on feeders at the Visitor Centre.

March 11th 2008
A female Long-tailed Duck at Inchmery Quay. Colour ringed Spoonbil at Keyhaven Marshes plus a Whimbrel. At Blashford Lakes on Ibsley Water 2 Black-necked Grebe looking very smart now, 10 Sand Martins, Goldeneye, a few Pintail, several Shoveler and Pochard plus Goosander. On the feeders by the Visitor Centre still plenty of Brambling, Siskin and Lesser Redpolls to be seen.

March 9th 2008
In Gosport area Black Brant at Priddy's Hard with Brent Geese, Ring-billed Gull at Walpole Park. 2 Cattle Egrets south of Bucklers Hard nr Bergerie Farm.

March 7th 2008
Little Ringed Plover, 9 Goosander and 3 Mediterranean Gulls Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes.

March 3rd 2008
At Blashford today Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-necked Grebe and up to 6 Sand Martins. On the feeders by the visitor centre 12+ Brambling and 4 Lesser Redpoll with the Siskins.

March 2nd 2008
2 Pink-footed Geese in Avon Valley at Bisterne SU148041. 2 Cattle Egret south of Bucklers Hard SZ394978.

February 29th 2008
Little Ringed Plover seen today from the new Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes today, this could well be the earliest date for Hampshire records, also on Ibsley Water 3 Black-necked Grebes and 36 Goosander came into the evening roost. At the visitor centre/woodland hide 25+ Brambling, several Lesser Redpoll and masses of Siskins. Bittern showing well from the Ivy Lake north hide. Female Marsh Harrier at Farlington Marshes.

February 27th 2008
At Harbridge near North End Farm 400+ Black-tailed Godwits and around 200 Lapwings seen today and nearby at Blashford Lakes visitor centre feeders 4 Brambling and 1 Lesser Redpoll. In the New Forest 1 male Hen Harrier seen near Beaulieu Road Station, Long-tailed Duck still at Sowley Pond and 2 Cattle Egrets in cattle field near Bergerie Farm SZ394978 at St Leonards Grange.

February 24th 2008
Southampton area - Long-tailed Duck off Weston Shore, Red-throated Diver River Itchen SU432134. Pennington Marshes 3 juvenile White-fronted Geese off Iley Lane also Ruff, nearby Lapland Bunting with Linnet flock Sturt Pond, off New Lane. Beaulieu Road Station - Great Grey Shrike 150m sw of railway bridge also male Hen Harrier.

February 23rd 2008
2 Spoonbill seen at Lymington River this evening and at Pennington earlier. 2 Long-tailed Duck off Iley Point, Keyhaven Marshes also in area 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 4 White-fronted Geese, Spotted Redshank and Sandwich Tern. Also 1 Long-tailed Duck off Weston Shore and Red-throated Diver from Northam Bridge, Southampton. In Gosport, Walpole Park Ring-billed Gull still.

February 16th 2008
Marsh Harrier at Farlington Marshes seen by our group today - see reports page. Weston Shore still Long-tailed Duck and also a Common Seal. Long-tailed Duck on Sowley Pond plus 2male and 1 female Scaup. Lapland Bunting still at Keyhaven by Cut Bridge. 17 Purple Sandpipers at Barton on Sea. Great Grey Shrikes at Latchmore Botton and Pig Bush. 6 Bewick's Swans at Ibsley Water Meadows and the Cattle Egret at Harbridge.

February 14th 2008
Marsh Harrier at Farlington Marshes. Off Weston Shore imm. male Long-tailed Duck. The Lapland Bunting is still at Sturt Pond, Keyhaven also the Twite still with the flock of Linnets. Great Grey Shrike seen again 800m south west of main car park at Pig Bush, New Forest. 2 Cattle Egret at St. Leonards Grange near Bergerie Farm SZ3944978 and nearby at Sowley Pond Long-tailed Duck

February 12th 2008
Keyhaven area - 4 Pale-belled Brent Geese, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 4 Spotted Redshank, 22 Snipe, very large flock of Golden Plover, 6 Knot, Dartford warbler and Lapland Bunting in usual place at near Cut Bridge. Long-tailed Duck at Sowley Pond.

February 11th 2008
At Blashford Lakes today 2 Black-necked Grebes seen again after a week's absence and the Bittern was showing well from the Ivy Lake North hide, 6 Bewick's Swans still on Ibsley Water Meadows nearby. Round-up of news for the weekend with Ring-billed Gull on Walpole Park, Gosport. Great Grey Shrike near Shatterford Car Park, also Woodlark and Crossbill seen and heard here. 17 Hawfinch at Blackwater Arboretum plus a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Redpolls.

February 6th 2008
Lapland Bunting still at Sturt Pond by Cut Bridge. 2 Cattle Egrets near Sowley Pond, east of Bergerie Farm SZ394978.

February 5th 2008
Bittern at Blashford Lakes, Lapland Bunting Keyhaven in stubble at Cut Bridge.

February 3rd 2008
On our Two Owls trip today we visited Blashford Lakes and had the usual wildfowl including Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Goosander and Pintail, 2 Black-necked Grebes and Peregrine. At the feeders good numbers of Siskins and 1 male Brambling. Then a look over Ibsley Water Meadows gave us 5 Bewick's Swans near Ibsley bridge and futher round at North End Farm, Harbridge the Cattle Egret flew in. Going across the forest at Eyeworth Pond 1 pair of Mandarin Ducks and in the car park at least 2 Marsh Tits, 1 male & 2 female Goosander flew off Janesmoor Pond and at Blackwater Arboretum we had 12+ Hawfinch showing well. Other news Great Grey Shrike at Pig Bush 400m sw of car park at SU358045. Ring-billed Gull at Walpole Park, Gosport. Lastly some interesting news from the Avon Valley south of the Avon Causeway a very large flock Black-tailed Godwits can be seen from B3347 at SZ153974, these birds are known to have come from Poole Harbour.

January 31st 2008
Titchfield Haven - 2 Avocet on South Scrape. Harbridge 1 Cattle Egret by North End Farm and 6 Bewick's Swans on Ibsley Water Meadow.

January 29th 2008
Farlington Marshes - 12 Avocets, 1 Black Redstart on sea wall near car park, 13 Bearded Tits. Keyhaven, Sturt Pond 1 Lapland Bunting junction Saltgrass Lane and New Lane. Harbridge 1 Cattle Egret and nearby on Ibsley Water Meadows 6 Bewick's Swans.

January 24th 2008
Keyhaven - Lapland Bunting 1 Sturt Pond this morning also Twite seen briefly. Gosport - Ring-billed Gull Walpole Park Lake and Black Brant at HMS Sultan Playing Field.

January 22nd 2008
Pennington Marshes 4 Slavonian Grebes off jetty, Hurst Spit 2 Purple Sandpipers opposite Cut Bridge and offshore a flock of 15 Common Scoter and 2 Velvet Scoter. 3 Bewick's Swans at Ibsley Bridge and the Cattle Egret at North End Farm, Harbridge. At Blackwater Arboretum 12 Hawfinch.

January 20th 2008
Our monthly meeting was at Blashford Lakes today and very busy it was too. However, we glimpsed the Bittern at Ivy Lake North hide. From the Goosander Hide we had 2 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Goosander including 1 male, Goldeneye and many Ruddy Ducks plus a good number of other waterfowl. At the feeders with the large number of Siskins and Chaffinch was 1 male Brambling. At Holm Hill SU262020 a Great Grey Shrike and ringtail Hen Harrier.

January 18th 2008
Bittern still at Blashford Lake Ivy Lake North, on Ibsley Water 2 Black-necked Grebes, 72 Pintail, 30+ Goosander, 17+ Goldeneye, 20+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 Mediterranean Gull and a probable 1st winter Caspian Gull. Nearby 4 Bewick's Swans on Ibsley Water Meadows distantly and the Cattle Egret seen again in Harbridge area. Lymington - Oxey Marsh 2 Long-tailed Ducks in channel.

January 12th 2008
Hoopoe still at Kingsley Common SU793382. In the Gosport area Black Brant at Priddy's Hard Shore and Ring-billed Gull still on Boating Lake, Cheesefoot Head a mixed flock of Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers, at Titchfield Haven Bittern. In the New Forest 16 Hawfinch at Blackwater Arboretum. Over at Blashford Lakes Bittern still being seen from the Ivy Lake North hide, nearby on Isbley Water Meadow 5 Bewick's Swans and further along at Harbridge near North End Farm the Cattle Egret still.

January 8th 2008
Bittern at Blashford Lakes from Ivy Lake North Hide, on Ibsley Water 2 Black-necked Grebes, Goosander, 8 Ruddy Ducks, Goosanders, 2 Goldeneye and nearby on Ibsley Water Meadows 5 Bewick's Swans this morning.

January 6th 2008
Long-tailed Duck at Eling Marsh, Brants Bay area, Great Northern Diver near Hythe Marina, Blashford Lakes area at least 1 Bittern still, Goosanders, Black-necked Grebe, Great White Egret, 3 Bewick's Swans Ibsley Meadows and nearby in the New Forest at Janesmoor Pond 4 Goosander.

January 2nd 2008
There were 2 Bitterns sighted today from the Ivy Lake North hide at Blashford Lakes today, otherwise the Great White Egret is still in the area and nearby the Cattle Egret is at Harbridge, take the lane from the Church on the right down to North End Farm it can be seen anywhere along this lane or by the Farm. Titchfield Haven/Hill Head Iceland Gull seen again.