Today's much improved conditions saw a start at Fort Cumberland where one of the two Little Owls was perched in a nook in the old fort - a Portsea Island tick!! - four of us peering through the fence attracted the attention of the security guard plus Rottweiler!! But sadly no sign of the Black Redstart. Two Meds on the way back to the car.
Home for the scope and tripod and off to Farlington on a rising tide.
Finally, some Beardies with a smart male close in and a couple of females further off. Just one Jack Snipe, still within ten yards or so of where I've seen it before, five Greenshanks and the Water Pipit still poking around at the base of the reeds. Scanning further off produced a Marsh Harrier and a female Peregrine. A Short-eared Owl in Point Field had gone to ground but sat quietly preening for a long time allowing passers-by to get a good look at it through my scope. Looking out into the harbour gave seven Harbour Seals hauled up on the rapidly disappearing mud bank where they frequently occur and, some way in front, a Razorbill which was a nice surprise. Good numbers of the usual waders being pushed around by the rising water
Sat and watched the owl gradually disappear into the grass whilst chatting to Simon re New Forest Honey-buzzards and their watchers/ringers.
Back home, the pulmonaria (and late afternoon sunshine) attacted Buff-tailed Bumblebee and, rather better, the first Hairy-footed Flower Bee of the year.
As the sun dropped away a very vocal Chiffchaff was calling from Andrew's apple tree.
