Mandarins

Following a fairly hard overnight frost we made our way into deepest Hampshire, this time to Mark Ash Wood in the New Forest. Several reports of active Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers could not be ignored. After all this is a bird that figures high on both mine and Martin's want list. As we arrived at the car park several birders were already in attendance and at least one of them had seen an LSW. Mission creep reared its ugly head, how could we resist a visit to our friendly Tawny Owl that lives in a hollow tree  just a short distance away. Of course it would be a year tick for those who keep lists.

Shortly after this we heard the unmistakable drumming of the LSW and we began a search for the bird. I swear that several times we were stood below the very tree the bird was in but were unable to locate it. The bird was very mobile so we relocated back to the car park and all became silent. Martin decided to spend more time on the owl and of course while he was away the woodpecker showed, a few fleeting seconds of the bird flying over the car park, alighting in a nearby tree, several more drums and then it disappeared for good. So the upshot is that we will have to make another visit - perhaps the chance of a photograph next time.

Finally we despaired and left for Eyeworth Pond near Fritham, always good for a few birds, especially if you take some feed with you. The birds are fed regularly here and they do pose well. As we arrived it was obvious that the frosts had resulted in the pond being frozen over apart from a small circular opening, fortunately not far from our bank. Sitting in or around this feature were 13 Mandarin Ducks and a pair of Gadwall that really had not got the hang of walking on ice. As the light was good we recorded the birds, though it was fairly difficult to isolate a single subject.

 

It was inevitable, with the birds being confined to such a small area, that they would not remain peaceful. Suddenly all the drakes started posturing with their necks being stretched and feathers fluffed up, behaviour that I haven't seen before. But, with their garb, a stunning display.

 

Neck up - collar out

Whilst this was going on the resident flock of birds had discovered the mixed feed that I had liberally scattered about. Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tits, flitting in and out. Even three Muscovy Ducks were polishing off a pile of peanuts. Over in the wood on the far side of the lake several Ravens were cronking away.

Next up was Blashford, pretty unremarkable except for several Siskins. Not much to be seen from the Tern Hide either. I convinced Martin that we should have another go for the LSW, a fruitless wait in the car park again. However, an added bonus as we made our way back to the main road, I spotted a bird perched high up in a tree and my initial guess was that it was a Hawfinch - after all Bolderwood has a few residents. It was nice to be corrected by Martin who rightly identified a male Crossbill which was soon joined by a female. No chance of a shot but a snapped record just to prove our sighting.

 

Oh! a shot of a very familiar "Ollie"