Hard work in the New Forest (06/05/12)

I started at Acres Down which had been successful in the past but not this year - the highlights being 4 fly-over Crossbills.  Then onto Beaulieu Road Station where had views of a Cuckoo but not a great deal else.  Then onto Eyeworth Pond where eventually had views of Redstart but it wasn't until I got to Bolderwood that I eventually pinned down a Wood Warbler singing in the wood near the Deer Watchpoint.  A bonus in this same area was a Spotted Flycatcher.

Next onto Pennington Marsghes where the Glossy Ibis had done a bunk. Walking to Keyhaven a flock of waders was flying around and eventually settled on the land fill - the flock consisted of at least 60 Wimbrels and 13 Bar-tailed Godwits!  Doing the loop to Keyhaven and back to Pennington revealed a female Wheatear, a couple of Little Terns and a flock of Eider offshore including 10 full plumage drakes.

I then headed back to the car and drove down to corner of the road where a birder pointed out a 1st winter Little Gull over the flood (also another 9 Barwits on the flood) and another birder told me about 3 Garganey, a Common Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper on the 'Shoveler Pool'.  I had to go back and saw a pair of Garganey and the Common Sandpiper but not the Wood Sandpiper.