Hello and welcome to this post about my bird sightings for the year 2019, in this year on April 4th, we moved from Farnborough, Hampshire to Westbury, Wiltshire.
Wednesday 2nd January, as no scheduled work, I drove down to the civic centre Totton, to start 2019's year list.
LITTLE EGRET, GREY HERON, MOORHEN, BLACK-HEADED
GULL, WOODPIGEON, COLLARED
DOVE, WAXWING, ROBIN, BLACKBIRD, CARRION
CROW, STARLING, HOUSE
SPARROW, GREENFINCH, GOLDFINCH
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 14 (Hampshire
year list = 14)
Then on to Crab Tree Bog, New Forest, adding:SNIPE, SONG THRUSH, LONG-TAILED
TIT, BLUE TIT, GREAT GREY
SHRIKE
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 19 (Hampshire year list = 19)
Ended the day with a walk around Keyhaven & Pennington marshes adding: LITTLE GREBE, GREAT CRESTED GREBE, CORMORANT, MUTE SWAN, CANADA GOOSE, DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, SHELDUCK, WIGEON, TEAL, MALLARD, PINTAIL, SHOVELER, TUFTED DUCK, SCAUP, EIDER, GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, KESTREL, COOT, OYSTERCATCHER, AVOCET, RINGED PLOVER, GOLDEN PLOVER, GREY PLOVER, LAPWING, DUNLIN, RUFF, BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, BAR-TAILED GODWIT, CURLEW, REDSHANK, TURNSTONE, HERRING GULL, GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, SHORT-EARED OWL, ROCK PIPIT, PIED WAGTAIL, DUNNOCK, GREAT TIT, MAGPIE, REED BUNTING
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 60 (Hampshire year list = 60)
Thrusday 3rd January, another on call day, so went down to Blashford lakes, and spent time in the different hides adding: BLACK-NECKED GREBE, BITTERN, EGYPTIAN GOOSE, GADWALL, POCHARD, GOOSANDER, WATER RAIL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, KINGFISHER, GREY WAGTAIL, CETTI’S WARBLER, NUTHATCH, JAY, JACKDAW, CHAFFINCH, SISKIN, LINNET, BULLFINCH
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 78 (Hampshire year list = 78)
Then a short drive down the road to Harbridge, adding another three species, BEWICK’S SWAN, GREYLAG GOOSE, ROOK
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 81 (Hampshire year list = 81)
Friday 4th January, after working in High Wycombe, on my way home I stopped at Eversley gravel pits, adding: GREAT WHITE EGRET, MANDARIN, WREN
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 84 (Hampshire year list = 84)
Saturday 5th January, added RED KITE, REDWING while at Watmore farm fishery, Eversley Cross.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 86 (Hampshire year list = 86)
Friday 11th January, a visit to Ivy lake, Blashford lakes on my way to work in Bournemouth, and then again at lunch time to the Woodland hide adding: GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, GOLDCREST
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 94
Wednesday 6th February, had an early start 03:00 as I had a call in Livingston. I managed to resolve the issue quickly which gave me time to have a quick visit to Musselburgh, East Lothian where I added: SHAG, LONG-TAILED DUCK, VELVET SCOTER, STONECHAT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 98
Monday 11th February and before going to Bournemouth for work, I went to Warblington. CATTLE EGRET, STOCK DOVE
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 100 (Hampshire
year list = 91)
Friday 15th February, and another early start before heading back to Bournemouth. I went to Southsea castle for PURPLE SANDPIPER, RAZORBILL, FERAL PIGEON then on to Fort Cumberland for SANDERLING, MEADOW PIPIT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 105 (Hampshire year list = 96)
Thursday 21st February and as I was working in Brighton I went to Shoreham Fort, no new species but did see some more Purple sandpipers.
Then a short walk to view Sussex heights to see the
PEREGRINETOTAL FOR YEAR = 106
Thursday 28th February went to Pinglestone watercress beds on my way to work in Bournemouth, seeing RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE, PHEASANT, WATER PIPIT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 109 (Hampshire year list = 99)
13th March working in Bristol so dropped into Pensford Somerset and added DIPPER & MISTLE THRUSH
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 115
Thursday 4th April, left Farnborough, Hampshire to go Westbury, Wiltshire. Started my Wiltshire year list.
Wednesday 17th April, working back down in Northfleet, so another great lunch time walk around Swancombe marshes where I added: SKYLARK, SWALLOW, NIGHTINGALE, GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, REED WARBLER, LESSER WHITETHROAT, WHITETHROAT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 122
Easter Monday 22nd April, a walk around Penleigh, Wiltshire where I added: BLACKCAP, RAVEN and then walking the dogs near home (Westbury) added: WILLOW WARBLER TOTAL FOR YEAR = 125 (Wiltshire year list = 26)
Monday 6th May (May Day Bank Holiday) while walking the dogs up near the Westbury White Horse added: CORN BUNTING TOTAL FOR YEAR = 126(Wiltshire year list = 32)
Friday 10th May, working in northfleet, so I had a walk around the Northfleet mill site adding: SWIFT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 127
Friday 17th May, as working in St Albans, had a lunchtime walk around Kettlewells farm where I added: YELLOWHAMMER
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 128
Tuesday 21st May while at the stables at Rudge Somerset had a WHEATEAR feeding in the horse paddocks TOTAL FOR YEAR = 129
Sunday 26th May again at the stables this time added: CUCKOO TOTAL FOR YEAR = 130
Wednesday 29th May and on my way home from working in Brighton, stopped off at The Burgh Amberley West Sussex, where I added GREY PARTRIDGE TOTAL FOR YEAR = 131
Saturday 1st June whlie walking the dogs near home added: SPARROWHAWK TOTAL FOR YEAR = 132 (Wiltshire year list = 37)
Sunday 9th June had a walk around Trafalgar park, Standlynch, Wiltshire where I saw 41 species of bird adding the following: COMMON TERN, BARN OWL, HOUSE MARTIN, SEDGE WARBLER, GARDEN WARBLER
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 137 (Wiltshire year list = 59)
Dropped into Langford lakes, Wiltshire on my way home form working in Bournemouth, taking my Wiltshire year list = 64
Wednesday 19th June another stop off on my way home from work, today I was in Bristol, and I had a quick walk around Corsham park, Wiltshire year list = 65
Thursday 20th June went to RSPB reserve Franchies Lodge after working in Bournemouth, where I added: REDSTART, MARSH TIT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 139 (Wiltshire year list = 69)
Monday 24th June, and after work I spent the evening on Chobham common, Surrey where I added: WOODCOCK, TAWNY OWL, NIGHTJAR, DARTFORD WARBLER
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 143
Wednesday 26th June, on my way home from Bristol, I went to Marsh lane, Urchfont, Wiltshire taking my Wiltshire year list = 71
Tuesday 9th July, as working in Kings Hill, Kent, made the short drive to Holborough marshes for a lunchtime walk adding: LITTLE RINGED PLOVER TOTAL FOR YEAR = 144
Wednesday 10th July, after working at Stansted airport, went to Weeting Heath for STONE CURLEW
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 145
Thursday 18th July, after working in London, spent the evening at Richmond park adding: RED-CRESTED POCHARD, LITTLE OWL, SAND MARTIN
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 148
Saturday 27th July, a trip to Langford lakes for three sandpipers: GREEN SANDPIPER, WOOD SANDPIPER, COMMON SANDPIPER
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 151 (Wiltshire year list = 74)
On the last day of July (Wednesday 31st) I was working in Brighton, so at lunchtime went to Brighton marina & also Rottingdean cliffs.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 151
Thursday 1st August, again working in Brighton, so stopped off at Pagham harbour on my way home seeing: WHIMBREL, MEDITERRANEAN GULL, SANDWICH TERN
TOTAL
FOR YEAR = 154
Monday 5th August, and the start of another week working in Brighton, after looking at the day's bird sightings, I went to Pagham north wall where I saw the reported SQUACCO HERON, also added GREENSHANK. The Squacco heron being a new bird for my UK list.
TOTAL
FOR YEAR = 156
Monday 12th August two weeks holiday from work, all birding done around Westbury while walking the dogs, no new species for year list, but took Wiltshire year list to 80
Tuesday 27th August, back to Brighton for work, and after work another walk around Farlington marshes, Hampshire, where I added: LITTLE STINT, WHINCHAT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 158 (Hampshire year list = 108)
Monday 2nd September, and the start of six weeks of working in Bournemouth. A report of a KENTISH PLOVER on Hayling island had me heading over there as this was another new bird for my UK list.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 159 (Hampshire year list = 110)
Wednesday 4th September went to Lytchett fields, Upton where I added: HOBBY, KNOT, CURLEW SANDPIPER, SPOTTED REDSHANK
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 163
Friday 6th September on my way home had a walk around Stockton down & wood, one more for the Wiltshire list.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 163 (Wiltshire year list = 81)
Wednesday 11th September again on my way home dropped into Langford lakes, added two more to the Wiltshire list.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 163 (Wiltshire year list = 83)
Monday 16th September, and another trip back into Hampshire, Farlington marshes, this time for another new bird for my UK list, EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER also added YELLOW WAGTAIL.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 165 (Hampshire year list = 117)
Tuesday 24th September, had an early dentist appointment in Basingstoke, so when I came out went to Moor green lakes Berkshire for the juvenile BLACK-WINGED STILT
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 166
Monday 30th September and a trip to Stanpit marsh, where I had my best ever views of a GREY PHALAROPE, also with the Canada geese was a single EMPEROR
GOOSE.
Monday 7th October, drove straight to Longham lakes Dorset, to see the
AMERICAN BLACK TERN another new bird for my UK list.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 168
Thrusday 10th October, after work drove to Leaden Hall NF for the RING OUZEL
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 169 (Hampshire year list = 118)
Tuesday 15th October as working near Staines reservoirs, so went there for a lunch time walk, no new bird species added to year list.
Thrusday 17th October, went to Castle Bottom NNR, before going on to work, added: WOODLARK
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 170 (Hampshire year list = 121)
Monday 21st October, after work went to Walton-on-Thames and walked this part of the Thames path, and located the reported CASPIAN GULL
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 171
Tuesday
5th November, I drove to Durlett farm, Bromham hoping that the Black
redstart was still there. Speaking to the farmer he said it wasn't seen
the previous day. But was welcome to come in and have a look around, 16
different birds seen, but not the Black redstart. FIELDFARE added.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 172 (Wiltshire year list = 84)
After
Durlett farm I drove to Bowood house & gardens, hoping the
Pink-footed goose had stayed on site. Sad to report it wasn't just a
single Greylag goose with the Canada geese. Anyway 34 species seen,
including Redwings feeding on the Yew berries.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 172 (Wiltshire year list = 88)
Thursday
7th November, started the day with a walk around Langford lakes,
finally saw the long staying RUDDY SHELDUCK, and had great views of a
Water rail. There were 7 Green sandpipers in the flooded (harvested)
maize field, Chiffchaff and Cetti's warbler heard and seen, total bird
species seen 39.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 173 (Wiltshire year list = 91)
After
Langford lakes I drove to Stratford sub Castle, to look for the adult
Yellow-legged gull. Never been here before but located a large playing
field, stopped and had a look, many dog walkers and only Black-headed
gulls. I drove around the Old Sarum Castle and then saw a roost of large
gulls in a field and once I had parked up, noticed more large gulls in
the pig fields of Old Sarum farm. The adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL was in
the gull roost. In with the gulls on the pig fields were lapwings,
Mallards & starlings.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 174 (Wiltshire year list = 92)
Final
stop of the day was at Clay Quarry Westbury, where I noted 16 species
in the fading light, also did a count of the birds on the water.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 174 (Wiltshire year list = 93)
Monday
11th November, had a nice walk in the morning with the dogs along part
of the Imber Range Perimeter Path (Westbury towards Bratton), seeing 22
species of bird.
Sunday
17th November, another nice walk with the dogs down below the Westbury
white horse. Walked around some fields, going to the country park
fishing lake, and finally into the cemetery seeing redwings feeding on
the yew berries this being the last of 33 species of bird seen.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 174 (Wiltshire year list = 96)
Monday
25th November, weather forecast not great but as I had a day off, I
decided to go down to Pennington marsh, and hopefully see the SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. I parked up in Lower Pennington Lane and walked
straight to Oxey Marsh, after a bit of searching I found it feeding
along the water’s edge. I watched it for a while as heavy rain went
through, it then had a wash & preen and then settled down for a
sleep. I walked up to the end of Oxey marsh and scanned Oxey lake/Solent
seeing Eider, Red-breasted merganser & Great crested grebe, when I
noticed a bird flying towards me, in a way that was not familiar to me,
but I soon realised it was a petrel. I soon had it in my scope, and it
flew with slightly bowed wings, combined with glides. White rump and
pale bar on upperwing coverts were easy seen, as was all dark underwing,
and no leg/toe seen past its tail tip. The petrel flew straight on
towards Keyhaven, and out of sight. I quickly got out my Collins guide
and looked on the internet, and I had seen a LEACH’S PETREL. I continued
round to Oxey Lagoon where I had great views of the Long-tailed duck,
tide now going out, so waders starting to feed on the exposed mud.
Further round at the corner of Butts lagoon I noticed a Peregrine out on
Keyhaven marsh and a colour ringed Herring gull (Yellow/Black UV8T?).
Nearly back to the car and out on Pennington marsh was a nice white male
Ruff, a Marsh harrier and 20 Fieldfares. 61 bird species seen, two new birds on my UK list.
Monday 2nd December, day off as Holiday, a nice walk up and around the Westbury White Horse with the dogs in the winter sun, 31 species seen.
Saturday
7th December, WOS walk Imber Ranges, we all met at Vedette No 8 by tank
crossing F, and I managed to see 30 species of bird. My highlight was
the male HEN HARRIER.
TOTAL FOR YEAR = 177 (Wiltshire year list = 98)
