HAMPSHIRE

BLASHFORD LAKES AND THE AVON VALLEY: One or two Ring-billed Gulls were seen on Ibsley Water (10th-30th), along with three different Caspian Gulls (3rd-30th) and up to 14 Yellow-legged Gulls. Two Pink-footed Geese (1st-31st) were present throughout, plus Black-necked Grebe (18th-29th), Green Sandpiper (max. two) and Water Pipit (4th-24th). The usual Great White Egret was mostly on Ivy Lake although also on Linford West Lake. Peak counts of wildfowl included 118 Pochard, 104 Goosander and 14 Goldeneye. LYMINGTON TO MILFORD-ON-SEA: Offshore from the Pennington-normandy area were a Red-necked Grebe (21st-22nd & 31st), Slavonian Grebe (max. two), Black-throated Diver (21st-22nd), Red-throated Diver (three, 22nd) and Great Northern Diver (max. two). Up to two Spoonbills were at Keyhaven/pennington plus six in the Lymington Estuary (16th). A Bittern was seen again at Keyhaven (9th). Raptors included Hen Harrier (3rd), Marsh Harrier (max. two) and Merlin (25th). Waders included a Purple Sandpiper, Whimbrel (max. two), Avocet (max. 15), Spotted Redshank (max. eight) and Ruff (max. three). Eight Bearded Tits were at Keyhaven (3rd) and a Water Pipit was at Pennington (8th). LANGSTONE HARBOUR AND HAYLING ISLAND: Waders around Farlington Marshes included Avocet (max. 55), Spotted Redshank (2nd, 6th & 18th) and Whimbrel (18th). Twenty-eight Barnacle Geese arrived at Farlington on the 15th, then rising to 42 (16th-30th). Short-eared Owls were only reported on one date (three, 9th). Bearded Tits peaked at 20 (2nd). Four Spoonbills were in Langstone Harbour (15th), which also had Velvet Scoter (3rd), Common Scoter (three, 18th), Long-tailed Duck (3rd-12th, 23rd), Great Northern Diver (max. two) and Black-necked Grebe (max. two). A Cattle Egret was at Warblington (28th). On Hayling Island, sightings from the Sandy/black Point area included Black-throated Diver (max. two), Great Northern Diver (max. three), Slavonian Grebe (two, 14th) and Long-tailed Duck (21st).

HILL HEAD TO HAMBLE:

The Barred Warbler reappeared at Titchfield Haven and showed very well in the garden of the visitor centre (3rd-17th). Other sightings included Bittern (19th), Marsh Harrier (max. three), Avocet (6th-8th) and Ruff (max. two). Records from the canal path included Merlin (17th) and Water Pipit (max. two). A Black Redstart was at Hill Head (22nd-26th). Offshore from the Hill Head/brownwich area were Black-throated Diver (9th), Red-throated Diver (22nd), Great Northern Diver (max. two), Slavonian Grebe (17th), Scaup (max. four), Common Scoter (max. 14) and Eider (max. 96). Gulls included Kittiwake (13th) and Yellow-legged Gull (15th-16th). Records from Hook-with-warsash included Red-throated Diver (26th) and Bearded Tits (max. five).

OTHER SIGHTINGS:

Up to four Great White Egrets were at Testwood Lakes (1st-14th), plus a Bittern (1st-11th). Great White Egrets were also at Eversley GP (3rd), Fleet Pond (11th), Fishlake Meadows (22nd & 27th-28th) and Broadlands Lake (27th). Fishlake Meadows also held Bittern (27th), Merlin (17th), Marsh Harrier (21st, 24th & 29th) and Jack Snipe (18th). Highlights at Weston Shore were Great Northern Diver (23rd & 31st), Slavonian Grebe (17th-23rd), Long-tailed Duck (1st-28th). In the New Forest, Great Grey Shrikes were at Ocknell Plain (2nd), Cranesmoor (12th), Milkham Bottom (12th) and Strodgemoor Bottom (16th), plus Hen Harriers at four sites and Merlins at three sites. Eight Spoonbills were at Inchmery (1st) and a Great Skua was at Park Shore (30th). Alresford had Marsh Harrier (9th), Hen Harrier (10th, 12th & 22nd), Green Sandpiper (max. four) and Water Pipit (max. six). Black Redstarts were seen at Chandler’s Ford (2nd), Netley Abbey (10th-14th) and Hamble Cliff (28th).