Sole fox

The fox came along shortly after the badger and cleared up the leftover peanuts.

Friends in feasting

Colder nights has seen our trusty old adult male badger continuing to feast on peanuts and this time he was partnered by a fox.

Hampshire Birding Expedition - October 2017

This was a slightly different approach to the camping trip, out of necessity, to save too much travelling back and forth along the rural roads of Hampshire and Dorset, and it meant that on the Friday we headed to Hambledon to set up the tent. We pulled up at a friend’s house as dusk approached and scoped out the area by the big barn as our ideal location for the tent. A buzzard casually drifted across the scarlet sunset and its lazy movement juxtaposed the frenzied flitting of the bats which streamed from the rafters of the barn and hunted the hedge tops. We were teased there may be owl and badger action but were perhaps too disruptive for a sighting that night.

Beers opened, tent up, and the fire going with just one spark, it was down to the serious business. Burn some sausages, drink some more beer, fire jenga, and marvel at the extreme amount of light being given off by the October harvest moon.

Up just after 7am the next morning, an unfortunate light shower dampened the tent before decamping, and we were away by 8am. The target for the day was set at a challenging total of 50 species, which must be witnessed by both observers.

Into Evesham for a full English and then onto Thorney Island. With the tide out it was never going to be a spectacular first visit but there were a few waders about. The strong south-westerly persistently blasted the inlet, and that, along with the absent tide, curtailed the trip after 30 minutes, but nevertheless we were up and running for the day.

Thorney Island

Blackbird	Pied Wagtail	Jay	Pigeon	Collared Dove
Starling	Robin	Coot	Mute Swan	Little Egret
Blackheaded Gull	Grey Plover	Brent Goose	Curlew	Carrion Crow
Goldfinch	Green Woodpecker	Meadow Pipit	House Sparrow	Redshank
Oystercatcher	Turnstone	Pheasant

Count: 23

From there we moved onto Farlington Marshes which had been independently positive for both of us in the past but again we had our doubts now that the tide was coming in. The outlook refused to brighten, and despite the rain abating the clouds sucked all colour from the world, the tarnished grey of the sky reflected in the waters as they streamed across the mud. As exposed as Thorney Island we stood on the seawall, the thundering hum of the M27 at our rear, and conducted a full scan of the area. We could see plenty of waders but there was no sign of the Curlew Sandpiper, feted to have been a regular in the area over the past couple of days. A mud-stuck spare tyre, shoe and shopping trolley later we wandered around onto the reserve area so as to observe species on the pond. This proved highly beneficial, with immediate returns from John recognising a kingfisher’s call before it shot across the reeds and disappeared. Our observations were briefly curtailed as the ever helpful John, on a crusade to convert all innocent bystanders into feather-obsessed nature lovers, proceeded to instruct some mature ladies on identifying the birdsong of the Cetti’s Warbler. Following this the roles were reversed and we got some guidance from a camouflaged waterproof-wearing birder as to the location of the Curlew Sandpiper – “just in front of the Blackheaded gull, to the left of the Mallard.”

The weather may have been bleak but the count was continuing to rise at a very satisfying rate.

Farlington Marshes

Greenshank	Ringed Plover	Moorhen	Lapwing	Dunlin
Teal	Kingfisher	Wren	Black-tailed Godwit	Canada Goose
Curlew Sandpiper	Shoveller	Mallard	Barnacle Goose	House Martin

Count: 38

The changeable weather continued and in an effort to achieve our goal we manfully soldiered on without a break for lunch. Titchfield Haven was our next destination, although scepticism reigned supreme throughout the duration of our journey because this required a financial transaction to facilitate entry. Parking on the road just above the beach, the tide was now battering the path, high curtains of chilled seawater sweeping the cars and careless pedestrians. A measured scan of Titchfield from the road yielded five additions to the day’s total but a charge of £4.25 each seemed excessive given the grim weather and lack of recent significant sightings. We were back in the car within fifteen minutes and were now on emergency rations as the BBQ-coated peanuts were shared out.

Cormorant

Grey Heron

Snipe

Gadwall

Buzzard

Count: 43

Next stop was Pennington Marshes, which meant a significant journey through the New Forest. We saw plenty of ponies indifferent to the traffic but no pigs consuming acorns or attacking innocent walkers. En-route we decided to visit an area of woodland to boost the numbers of some of the regulars found thereabouts, and we stumbled across Brownhills. Given the nature of the tree species we had an expectation of seeing at least Goldcrest but were left wanting. Eventually Brownhills gave up its secrets and John spied a Treecreeper before we witnessed a large flock of Goldfinch and Siskin working their way through the treetops.

Brownhills

Long-tailed Tit

Siskin

Great Tit

Treecreeper

Count: 47

Pennington Marshes would prove to be a disappointment but the recorded sightings from the past seven days were a little vague and it’s entirely possible that the Little Stint had decided not to stay on the top of the five-bar gate for three days straight in anticipation of seeing us. That said, it was not without success and we were afforded reasonable close-ups of both a Wheater and Kestrel, the latter hunting over a small patch of woodland and being especially vocal about it.

Pennington

Linnet

Northern Wheater

Wigeon

Kestrel

Count: 51

With the day drawing on, and a miscount of sighted species it was now a desperate last charge to Blashford Lakes to try and break the day’s target. Arriving at 16:45, after the gates were supposed to close, and long after most reasonable visitors had left, we set off in search of our final species. The woodland hide was expected to satisfy the itch but the door was locked so we resorted to some Peeping Tom-esque behaviour, voyeuristically watching over the fence through our binoculars. Patiently we added the final touches to the list and returned a very respectable number, given the weather was grey, wet and windy.

Blashford Lakes

Blue Tit

Chaffinch

Nuthatch

Sparrowhawk

Count: 55

With that, and the prospect of some beers and a curry on the backstreets of Poole Town, we headed home. The day of wildlife watching was soundly brought to a conclusion when, upon returning from town we decamped to the garden and watched a hungry badger eagerly feeding on peanuts just a couple of meters away.

Portland Birding Expedition - April 2017

The spring migration was underway so it was time to revisit the coastal treats of Portland. Following a lunchtime pickup from John we decided to start things off with an avian injection at Longham Lakes. Principally a pair of fishing lakes, with concession given to model yacht racers, and an ideal circuit for dog-walkers or joggers, Longham Lakes has historically harboured a few disorientated migrants so we were optimistic. The location did not provide any surprises but did yield a very firm base for the birding ahead.

Longham Lakes

Mute Swan	Mallard	Little Egret	Grey Heron	Great-crested Grebe
Gadwall	Blackbird	Tufted Duck	Blackheaded Gull	Canada Goose
Greylag Goose	House Sparrow	Coot	Starling	Swallow
Reed Warbler	Reed Bunting	Blackcap	Whitethroat	Egyptian Goose
Dunnock	Jay	Carrion Crow	Herring Gull	Magpie
Wood Pigeon	Long-tailed Tit	Collared Dove	Swift	Buzzard
Sandwich Tern

Count: 31

From there we headed towards Portland and then proceeded to get the newly purchased tent erected at Martleaves Farm Campsite with a very nice view of Chesil Beach with Portland in the background. Last year we’d been onsite a little later and had ended up playing a role in the impromptu birth of a lamb in the field campers and sheep share, but this time around we were completely alone. There were a few more campers staying in the top field this year but none wished to venture any closer to us, perhaps it was the angle of the slope? Tent up, celebratory beer consumed and over 30 species under our belt for the day, it was time to visit The WykeSmugglers.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact item at fault but I think that it is safe to say that the availability of Newcastle Brown Ale behind the bar was a contributory factor. There was some stumbling and mumbling, there were some slightly hairy moments too close to the fire and there was a particularly amusing moment when, so drunk, someone fell off their camp chair.

And then there was silence.

Albeit punctuated by some heavy breathing, not quite transforming into snoring.

Rising around 7am for a wash and brush, there was little movement from the tent.

Leftovers and cereal bars consumed for breakfast and around 8am, John awoke, sagged into his camp chair, consumed some dirty rice from the night before, then proceeded to shuffle back to bed.

Spent the morning observing birding and other activities along the backside of Chesil Beach, and reading ‘H is for Hawk.’ Around midday, energy restored, dignity stowed away, John arose like a phoenix and the birding could begin in earnest.

A brief stop at the sandwich bar yielded disappointment with the absence of crab due to the fishermen not bringing any in, but then it was on to Suckthumb Quarry. Previously this had provided some nice, albeit rain-sodden, sightings of a Hoopoe, but this time nothing more than a Wren was on show. From there we headed to the Observatory, where we stalked the cliff tops, fields and observatory garden. The Little Owl was a treat, and it chose to show for those that were patient; the Redstart brought a moment of revelation to the garden and the sight of a Raven, having torn chunks out of gull corpse, fly off with the gull’s head in its beak, was just grotesque.

Skylark	Willow Warbler	Goldfinch	Linnet	Blackbacked Gull
Kestrel	Pied Wagtail	Common Redstart	Little Owl	Raven
Northern Wheater	Pheasant	Meadow Pipit	Razorbill	Fulmar
Stonechat	Wren

Count: 48

Not wishing to waste a minute we headed for Radipole and Lodmoor. Familiar locations, which rarely surprise but can bolster the duck and wader count if that’s be absent elsewhere. Both locations were quiet on the visitor and avian front, and whilst it was nice to see the Marsh Harrier, the time of year meant that there was an absence of nesting Terns or Gulls. A few gambles on the way back to the campsite did not pay off and we were done with our count for the day.

Radipole 

Shelduck	Pochard	Hooded Merganser	Cettis Warbler	Teal
Blue Tit	Chiffchaff	House Martin

Count: 56

Lodmoor 

Oystercatcher	Common Sandpiper	Moorhen	Chaffinch	Marsh Harrier
Snipe	Greenfinch	Robin

Count: 64

Beer, pub, takeaway, tent, fire jenga and our Portland adventure was over for another year.

Plenty badgers and a scrawny fox

The badgers are continuing to visit in numbers but are frequently being beaten to the peanuts by a bold young fox cub, although the cub sometimes has to be a bit sneaky if the badger arrives early.

Balmy busy evenings

The badgers have been visiting in increasing numbers over recent weeks, with five coming at once on Wednesday and making short work of the peanuts. Most of them were perfectly friendly with occasional hind butting. One of them definitely seems a paler colour than the others but more observation is required to be sure it wasn't just a trick of the moonlight.

Thursday saw the visit of a very young fox cub, most definitely this year's brood, and fortunately the camera trap picked it up feeding on the peanuts.

Snatch & Grab

Multiple visits, and on some occasions the whole family came, including a large female. The snatch and grab was some leftover birthday cake with a nice thick layer of icing which one of them wanted all to themselves.

Busy night

Multiple visits from two different foxes, one a juvenile, one an adult, and three different badgers, including our old faithful who sits down as he forages. Sadly he arrived far too late to find many peanuts.

Summer badger bonanza

Longer evenings and the motivation to see what the badgers are up to overnight prompted reuse of the camera trap and we were firmly rewarded. A noticeable absence of fox activity but plenty of badger action, with three seen on the night of 1st June and then four caught on camera hoovering the lawn in search of peanuts.

Foray down to Portland

The second annual pilgrimage to Portland took place a little earlier this year due to scheduling conflicts but was no less successful, albeit without any 'lifers' seen by John. Kicking things off at Longham Lakes with a good haul and an Egyptian Goose to boot. Then it was on down to Portland Bill to get in on the action around the clifftops and observatory. There was an embarrassment of Willow Warblers but little else of note seen until everybody's friend noted a Black Redstart and then the excitement bubbled over. Sundown over Chesil saw us off to the Wyke Smugglers and a tale for another day.

Kestrel at Portland

A late start took us to Radipole where there was little of note, and then back to Portland to tick the Little Owl. A Wheatear inconceivably offered too much attention and joy before Razorbills, a Fulmar and a Raven ripping the head from the carcass of a Herring Gull provided distraction.

The day was concluded with a visit to Lodmoor where the Red-rumped Swallow led us a merry dance but a friendly rabbit, a mysterious goose and a majestic Marsh Harrier played a part in lifting our spirits.

Avon Valley

A recent visit to Avon Valley was rewarded with a nice sighting of the resident sand lizards and a deer grazing in the dappled sunlight of the woods.

Fox and badger share the spoils

After several incidents with the fox robbing the badger of the peanuts, this time he was busted by the badger but they shared the spoils. The badger looks to be the youngster from last year, not the regular male who plops his rear down to eat each peanut. The fox also looks to be a juvenile from last year and looks in good health.

Dawn in Clewer Park, Windsor

Sunset over Harbourside Park

Sunset at Harbourside Park, Poole ~Harbour

Christmas foxes

Sporadic use of the camera trap over Christmas has revealed that the foxes have become the dominant visitor to the garden. The badger cannot expect to find any peanuts in the garden if he doesn't turn up until 4am, the foxes are on the case from 10pm, and some nights make four visits. Most recently a pair of foxes came feeding. They look to be older than a year, certainly when compared with a smaller fox, with a short snout who was seen in November. One of the foxes, which seems to have tribal warrior markings on his face, looks to have a limp in his rear left leg so we'll monitor that.