Woolmer Forest 18/10/25

We're moving house to Petersfield on Tuesday, which I am thoroughly looking forward to, except for one problem. I won't be able to bike to Woolmer, and so, my main patch will have to change to the Petersfield area. It is a shame, as I have picked up some very good species here, and I really love the area. I've been planning to go again as a proper farewell to the area, so when news of a possible Great Grey Shrike came out in the morning, I decided to go in the afternoon, as I had to get my room ready for packing to move in the morning. 

After arriving, I set off around the pond, as the shrike had been seen on the heath, so I was planning on spending most of my time there. 

There was not much at all on the pond, so I continued on round to the cottage. 

I continued on past the cottage and through the gate towards the forest and heath. 

I heard some Crossbill flying over, and saw them land in a tree in the distance. They are a bird I've never seen here before, so I was very happy to get them on my Hampshire and patch list. I was hoping to get as many new birds for the patch as possible before it was reassigned to my second patch, so every new bird was still very welcome. 

I was very surprised to see a huge chunk of the forest had been chopped down, which gave the area a very different feel. After scanning the cut-down trees, I moved on towards the heath.

There was no sign of the shrike anywhere, and the next gruelling two and a half hours were spent biking around and searching every inch of the burnt heath where the shrike had been reported. No sign. Of anything. A Dartford Warbler and a Mistle Thrush were about the only things seen, and I was beginning to think the bird may have moved on. After all, others had been here for hours and not been able to see it, so the obvious conclusion was that it was no longer here. 

I had the choice of looking further on past the burnt heath, or heading back towards the cottage and hoping it turned up there, before I headed home. Not a very realistic hope, though, as the area isn't very good shrike territory. 

I decided to head back towards the cottage and home, as the light was fading, and I was getting very tired after all the biking. I was also on my non-preferred bike, which made biking a bit harder as well. 

I had been really hoping to see the shrike, as not only would it be an incredible way to end my time at Woolmer being my main patch, but an incredible boost to my year list. Also, they're one of my favourite birds, and my only ever previous sighting of one was a small sight of a grey blur flying in a valley. This was part of the reason I was staying so long for a bird that had seemingly disappeared. I didn't want to end my time at Woolmer with dipping a bird...

Biking back across the burnt heath, I didn't see anything. I just about managed to get up the steep hill and continued towards the cut-down trees and the hill down to the cottage. Halfway down the hill, I stopped and just thought I might as well check the area again, just to make sure nothing interesting had turned up.

I noticed a shape in the distance on top of one of the cut-down trees. I raised my binoculars. Focused.

The next thirty seconds were a whirlwind.

Adrenaline, panic, exhilaration, and disbelief all rolled into one single incredible emotion.

There, on top of the branch, was the Great Grey Shrike. The adrenaline kicked in. Then came the panic of knowing you need to get a photo, but don't want to put the binoculars down and raise your camera. The bird stayed put for a bit longer, so up went the camera. I was relieved to reel off some shots. 

 

It stayed put for a few more seconds before disappearing as I put my camera down and raised my binos. 

This was one of the birding memories I was never going to forget. There's nothing like putting in the hours and getting a reward. Trying to explain to my non-birding friends why I spend 3 hours looking for a bird to see it for 30 seconds is something I haven't succeeded in yet. 

I've only ever seen this species once before in England, with a brief glimpse of one flying constituting the sighting. Although not a new bird going onto my British list, it felt like a lifer, after all, it was the first one I had seen properly. Still, it was an incredible patch, Hampshire and year tick 

I circled the area, searching for any further sign of the shrike, but there was no sign in the next 45 minutes. 

It was really getting dark now, and I was very tired, so with no sign at all of the shrike, I started to head back. 

I rang up home to see if I could be picked up, but was greeted with the news that our guest for the evening had just arrived with a crumble and needed help bringing her stuff in, the dog had rolled in fox poo (still don't get why they do that), and Dad was still busily preparing for the sermon tomorrow morning. It was a bit chaotic. Needless to say, I had to bike home.

So, what a day. What a week! First an unexpected Water Pipit, then Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter, and an incredible end with my favourite bird of them all, the Great Grey Shrike. The shrike felt like a lifer, as it was the first I had seen properly and photographed.  It is a shame to have to reduce Woolmer to a second patch. I will still have to visit sometimes. It's going to be very interesting seeing what the Petersfield area has to offer, but I don't think anything could match Woolmer as a patch. It's so brilliant and holds so many good memories. The self-found Whooper Swan, the Hobbies in spring, the Spotted Flycatchers, Garden Wablers, chilly mornings with Woodlark calling overhead, many, many happy hours spent, and all brilliantly capped off with Crossbills and an incredible Great Grey Shrike. A moment to never forget. My year list is now on 190, and British life list on 201. Next week is going to be hectic with moving, but I'm still hoping I might be able to see some interesting birds, with a day off from school on Wednesday, and my birthday on Saturday. We'll see:)

Many thanks to M Lawn for finding the bird

Hill Head and Hayling Island Oysterbeds, 16/10/25

 After arriving at Hill Head, I walked over to where my birding friends were and started looking out at the sea. 

There were plenty of gulls about, but no sign of the Yellow-legged Gull seen yesterday.

We continued along the path to the harbour, where a large group of Ruddy Turnstones were sleeping. 

Another birder mentioned he had seen the Black-throated Diver a few minutes ago, so we had a look out to where he mentioned it. Before long, there it was, a Black-throated Diver, diving a bit of a way out. 

I hadn't seen Black-throated Diver this year, so I was happy to get it on my year list. 

A Red-throated Diver was also far out, but very mobile. 

A few Ruddy Turnstone were along the shore, allowing for a few photos.

A few Sanderlings were also present. 

Sadly, we had to leave as a sibling had a riding lesson soon, so we headed there.

As we were watching the lesson, the Velvet Scoter was reported at the Oysterbeds. I was very surprised as it had been there yesterday, and I was sure it would have moved on by now. After a bit of bargaining, I settled with Mum that we could go there briefly on the way home, in exchange for helping get the house cleaned for the evening(a bargain we were both very happy about!).

As we arrived, a birder said he had seen it earlier, but couldn't find it now. Not a good start.

After making it to the main lagoon, I set up my scope on the bit of land jutting out. There was a good number of Great Crested Grebes, but no sign of the scoter. After a while, I saw a bird out in the water towards Broadmarsh. It was too far out to see properly, so I continued around the path to where it was a lot closer. 

A look through the scope all but confirmed it- this was the Velvet Scoter. I was thrilled. A scarce winter visitor to the UK, I had never seen one before, and although this one was distant, it was easily close enough to enjoy the bird, and scope views were good. It was constantly diving and stayed mostly in view until we had to leave.

So, another great day birding, with another lifer, and a year tick. 

Pulborough Brooks, 15/10/25

 It was Dad's birthday, and I was very pleased to hear he wanted to go to Pulborough Brooks in the morning, as he had really enjoyed it last time we went (last winter). He's not full on into birding yet, but he's getting there:)

After arriving, we walked towards the West Mead hide. The water levels seemed extremely low, even lower than when I was here in June, which was a surprise. 

With hardly any water from the West Mead, there was little about, but after a while, a male Marsh Harrier flew in distantly and landed behind some grass. 

There were plenty of Canada Geese, Linnets, Goldfinches, and two Egyptian Geese, although all were distant. 

After managing to get my scope onto the Harrier on the ground, and everyone had seen it, we moved on to Winpenny. 

There was a lot of chatter inside, and another Marsh Harrier was a lot closer. It gave some great views before being lost to people's interest, as a White-tailed Eagle was spotted far off in the distance. 

After a while longer looking about, we continued on to the Little Hanger hide, where a Green Sandpiper was showing quite well, although the lighting was horrible.

In the same patch of water as the sandpiper, I noticed a small bird walking about- a pipit. 

Immediately after seeing it through my bins, my suspicions were aroused. It reminded me heavily of Water Pipit, and after all, it was walking around and feeding in water, so it could well be. I noticed the dark legs, separating it from Meadow Pipit, meaning there was only one other species it could be- Rock Pipit. But marshy inland wetlands are not exactly the place for a Rock Pipit, are they.... 

After having practically confirmed it as Water Pipit, I got my scope and camera on it and got some photos. 

I was very chuffed. Not only was this a bird I'd never seen before, but it was also number 200 on my British Life List. After managing to get all the family on the bird, I got some more shots, and after a while, we moved on. 

In Netley's hide, there was a decent amount of water looking over the north brooks, and a few Greylag Geese were visible in the background. There were plenty of Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and a Snipe.

Time was getting on, and I needed to get some chicken marinating in the fridge for dinner(Butter Chicken Curry), so we walked back to the visitor centre and went home. 

It had been a great trip, with a huge unexpected bonus of number 200 for my British list, and Dad had really enjoyed the time as well.

Black Down NT 06/10/25

 With not much action about at the moment, I set off early to a place I haven't been for quite a while in the hope of seeing a very cool species that has eluded me so far in my birding years. 

After arriving, I wasn't feeling that great, as I hadn't had anythign to eat yet, and it had been an exhausting bike ride(only 2 miles from Haslemere Station, but solely up very steep hills). So I set off in hopes of finding somewhere to sit down and eat breakfast. 

There were quite a few birds about, with more being heard overhead than seen.

After sitting down to eat, I scanned the area, but couldn't see anything. Just as I was about to take another mouthful, a bird flew on top of the tree nearest me, interrupting my meal(rude...). The shape and size of the bird were interesting, so I put my flask of porridge down and raised my camera to grab a photo. Of course, the bird dropped from view into the middle of the tree, but before long was back up top. My suspicions were confirmed- this was my target species- a Red Crossbill!

Soon, another few flew in, then another and another, giving good views.

                                    

Crossbill (or Red Crossbill, if you're being picky) are a species I had never seen before, even though they are a relatively common British bird. I was still thrilled to get it on my British life and year list.

After a while, the group flew off, so I walked around for a bit, with some more distant Crossbill seen, along with a Dunnock and a few calling Dartford Warblers. There was also a large group of Lesser Redpoll flying about.

I noticed a tree a bit of a way away, which seemed to have quite a few Crossbill in it, so I headed over in its direction. There were about 10 flying around in the area, and I managed to get some closer views of the birds on the tree.

There were 2 Marsh Tits about as well, and I was enjoying the Crossbill spectacle, but a dog walker spooked all the birds further away, out of sight. 

I continued along the path and came to an absolutely stunning viewpoint.

Butser Hill was visible well off in the distance as well; you can just about make the shape out here, and the big mast is visible as well. 

I sat down on the bench to wait and see if anything interesting would be visible from here. A Cormorant was circling(!?) in the distance, and a few Buzzards were about as well.

Nothing else seemed to be about, so I went off in the direction I had come. 

A Sparrowhawk whizzed by, and a Goshawk was also about, giving fleeting views. 

Another Crossbill was at the top of a tree in the distance.

A Heron flew over, as did a few more Crossbill. I went off in their direction, and soon found some scattered in some trees.

As I continued on, I stopped to watch (you guessed it) another Crossbill that was pretty close, and as I did so, about 25 others flew in! I spent the next few minutes enjoying them before they flew off. 

They all flew off directly over my head, giving great flight views and calling as well.

I looked around for a while longer, but couldn't see anything else, so I set off back to the station.

The bike ride to Black Down had taken me half an hour because of the steep hills. The bike ride back, you ask?  

7 minutes.

It had been a great time. As I'm sure you can tell by the number of photos I took of the Crossbill, I absolutely love these chunky birds, and it was an absolute pleasure to see them so well.