Pieces of eight, Nope 16 Parrot Crossbills

On holiday from work, so in the afternoon of Tuesday 14th November I went down to Ibsley Water, Blashford lakes, and spent a few hours in the hide seeing: Little grebe, Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Grey heron, Mute swan, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, Great black-backed gull, Pied wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion crow, Starling & Linnet.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 213 (Hampshire year list = 185)

Thursday 16th November, spent the afternoon with the dogs waking around Bramshill Police college, before going to Wembley Arena to see Alice Cooper.

Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Grey heron, Mute swan, Canada goose, Egyptian goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted duck, Coot, Woodpigeon, Green woodpecker, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Jay, Carrion crow, & Lesser redpoll.

Friday 17th November, started the day down at Black point on Hayling island seeing: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, Cormorant, Little egret, Dark-bellied brent goose, Peregrine, Oystercatcher, Ringed plover, Grey plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Woodpigeon, Great spotted woodpecker, Pied wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Blue tit, Magpie, Carrion crow, House sparrow, Greenfinch & Goldfinch. Then a short drive to Farlington Marshes, where I saw 44 species of bird, but no new birds for year or Hampshire lists. Finally on to Testwood lakes where I saw the following: Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Great white egret, Grey heron, Canada goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed gull, Woodpigeon, Green woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Blue tit, Great tit, Magpie, Carrion crow, Chaffinch & Bullfinch.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 214 (Hampshire year list = 187)

Monday 27th November, and as I was working in Bournemouth, I took a late lunch break. I spent the time in the hide looking over Ibsley water, where I added PINK-FOOTED GOOSE which was with the Greglags and the 1st winter CASPIAN GULL to both lists.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 216 (Hampshire year list = 189)

Wednesday 29th November, and as I was on call for work, I went and spent a freezing cold morning up at Staines reservoirs, where other birders and I didn't see the American Horned Lark, I gave it a good go. I even went back to my car to warm up, before giving it another try. While in the car I saw a Peregrine up on the near by Pylon. So on my way home I stopped at Swinley Forest/Wishmoor Bottom, where I joined other birders and enjoyed good views of the PARROT CROSSBILL's

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 217