Little Gull

Today was a new venue for us, Testwood  Lakes, just north of Totton in Hampshire. Managed by the Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust it is based round three lakes and some wetland scrapes. When we arrived I have to say that I wasn't convinced that it would be a good birding venue. Far too many dog walkers, ramblers and duck feeders present. However, the sight of a  Little Gull flitting over the water soon dispelled any doubts and I tried to capture a fairly fast moving subject. When we had sufficient shots in the bag we decided to take the car down the lane to the other lakes. At this moment it dawned on us that we weren't actually on the reserve, when I saw the sign that said "Sorry no dogs" it was good to know that I wasn't going to be savaged by a Pit Bull whilst out birding.

 

 

 

 

The hides here are well organised and it wasn't long before we had views of our second target as it flew in. It remained a fair distance away and did what all Garganeys do, played hide and seek in the reeds.  With additional sighting of Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martin and Swallow we were on a roll, five ticks before lunch! 

Alas forays into the forest left us disappointed, Mark Ash Wood and Acres Down returned very little, certainly no sign of Goshawk or LSW. Finally, a visit to Blashford, just to the Tern Hide for the opportunity of Black-necked Grebe or Ruddy Shelduck, neither graced us with their presence so we made for home - a game of two halves as they say.

Little Gull

What a difference a day makes, gone are the panoramic vistas of mountain, moor and stream of the Cairngorms and back to earth with a bump. Today the salubrious surroundings of Brooklands Boating Lake in Lancing. However, compensation in the form of 3 Little Gulls, 2 adults and a first winter bird. One of the adults displaying a distinctly pink breast. Much photographed by local birders but difficult to capture as they are mostly on the move, anyway another year tick and some record shots.

Nice to meet Mavis and Alan again, hope they got some good photographs.

 

 

1st Winter Little Gull



Not liked by local ridibundus