Phoenix

Yesterday was the first time this spring that Med Gulls have been audible over the house.

Phoenix by Wishbone Ash

The new Tern Hide at Blashford is rising, Phoenix-like from the metaphorical ashes of its previous incarnation and this time accompanied by a very smart balustraded platform built onto the mound. And a very nice, level place to watch from today, although the very strong wind made it difficult. Quite a few Meadow Pipits were obvious and this was backed up by others noting an influx along the coast especially at Titchfield where they were trailed by one or two Merlins; sadly, no such luck at Ibsley Water and no (obvious) interesting gulls; had hoped for maybe a Little Gull or a Sand Martin or two.

Elsewhere, the Bittern showed well and three Lesser Redpolls were on the feeders plus a catch up with John, Jim and Jackie before driving back across the top of the forest and seeing only three Mistle Thrushes.

A missed tick..

A short look around QECP after picking up a camera wrist strap in Chichester (no Ravens nor Peregrines today) produced a couple of Siskins, Goldcrests a single heard only Firecrest, a watchful Kestrel on the wires and two very vocal Marsh Tits which came to check out my pishing.

On the insect front a Red Admiral, Meliscaeva auricollis and another hover which I took for male Eupeodes spp. Posting to FB brought suggestions of Melangyna lapsiopthalma and Parasyrphus punctulatus but no final agreement sadly, as I think either would have been new.

Sadly the top area, so good for Vipers Bugloss and its attendant bees, Chalkhill Blues and orchids, is now covered in a 8-10 foot pile of soil/aggregate/spoil!!

Mystery hover

Veronica/Speedwell

I'm just mad about Saffron..

Today a brief post brunch stroll up the boardwalk where Primrose, Lesser Celandine and the first Marsh Marigold provided the only colour and signs of spring; a couple of singing Chiffchaffs also. Nice to watch the female Marsh Harrier hunting up and down flushing 100+ Black'wits.

Useful and interesting talk from RL about the reserve  in Stubbington.

Another (almost birdless) entry...

Arundel

DBA Xmas meal

Blossom and Daffodils

Spinnaker Tower, Nelson and Royal Garrison Church.
Background soundtrack provided by Wightlink Ferries and a singing Rock Pipit, the latter always a joy to hear.

Week summary..

This week saw the end of 'false spring' and return to more typically wet and windy conditions with the Arun looking as if it might overtop midweek( but it didn't thankfully) and then howling gales at the weekend. Luckily the latter did at least come with mostly blue skies.

Pulborough finally produced a couple of Woodlarks over the crop field, the first for me here since the nineteen in December. Adders are being seen but not by me and the flurry of early butterflies hit a brick wall this week.
The two White-fronted Geese were distant and flushed by ground staff midweek but just the odd harrier and a couple of Peregrines at the weekend; the female sat on the ground before deciding to dash out to the riverbank just to flash her talons at a harmless Buzzard on the ground before returning to her mate for some more loafing.

Arundel produced the usual fare although the Kingfishers are getting less reliable. The gull loaf was a similar size to the Goring Gap flock, probably both about 1000 strong with a number of Med Gulls but nothing better. The only ringed Med this week was a green darvic'd (French/Belgian) adult at Titchfield.

The ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting distantly from the pub carpark and a Cattle Egret was in-to-roost early.

A bedding compost  run to Mount Folly produced heard only Firecrest from nearby gardens as it usually does.

Monday (11th) saw a visit to Mill Lane for the Hooded Crow but no sightings by many birders and only Med Gulls as supporting cast in bright but still very windy conditions; typically it was reported mid afternoon.

Later in the day some time along the seafront between shopping, coffee and 'urban' photography produced a strongly singing Rock Pipit on Hot Walls and an adult Shag off Eastney; others saw both Little Owls locally.

Non birding post...

An earlier than expected Autoglass visit for a replacement windscreen left a larger gap before the final bank appointment with Ian than I had planned for and so a quick loop of PHP was followed by a visit to Chi. At the former no wild wildfowl and no Med Gulls but four Treecreepers including one very obliging bird, a single Redwing and singing Chiffchaff and Mistle Thrush.
At the latter a harassed Buzzard over the market carpark and, again, the Ravens calling quietly from the gardens.

Some street musicians here just before we all ducked for cover as the next shower came through.

Digiscoping at TH

A typically 'false spring' sort of day with just a little birdsong and the start of the raucous Black-headed Gull breeding season. The scrape water levels are now much reduced and there were 25 or so Avocets and 10-20 Med Gulls. The male harrier was distant and a Peregrine flashed low over north scrape before reappearing half an hour later flying west along the beach. At home the flower bees are up to three at least with the odd Buff-tail and Marmalade Fly.
The Reed Bunting was with the 32-100 and the rest with 12-32 held to handheld(!) scope resting on hide windowsill.