Thursley Common/Frensham Common

A much worse day weather wise, but meeting 3 birders on Shrike Hill I immediately saw the Great Grey Shrike but it was quite mobile.  I got an old lady onto it but she said should couldn't see it.

While waiting for the shrike to re-appear two calling Crossbills flew over.

I then went over to Frensham Great Pond outflow where while waiting for any 'crests to show a Grey Wagtail flew in.  Eventually had reasonable views of the Firecrest although it took my 1.5 hours of waiting.  A fantastic bird.

Staines, Virginia Water and Moor Green Lakes (22/02/13)

Almost the first bird scoped on reaching Staines Reservoir was the drake Scaup, I needed more help finding the Slavonian Grebe which was distant but the Great Northern Diver was showing well although it was quite mobile.  No sign of the Black-necked Grebes but I didn't look very hard.

Next was Staines Moor where I had a singing Linnet, I could hear Rose-ringed Parakeet but couldn't see them and then best of all as I was walking down the river a pipit got up and few off behind me and landed on the river bank.  Getting my scope onto it revealed a Water Pipit.

I then made my way over to Virginia Water which was heaving with people and I could only manage one male Brambling.  There were lots of Redwings here.

Final stop was Moor Green Lakes where there was a small flock of Barnacle Geese amongst the Canada Geese but no sign of any owls.

Hampshire again (02/02/14)

A much better trip this time.  Once again I started at Pennington Marshes but still no sign of the Long-billed Dowitcher however did see a Chiffchaff, Golden Plover and Water Rail.  Four Ruff on the flood.

Next stop was Sopley where I met John Clark who was doing some counting of the birds.  I almost immediately got onto the drake Green-winged Teal which was with a group of Teal and displaying to them.

Spent most the rest of the day at Blashford Lakes.  Not much on Ibsley Water apart from a few Goldeneye and 2 Black-necked Grebes.  I then went to the woodland hide where after a while had excellent views of at least one Common ("Mealy") Redpoll.

At Ivy lake the Bittern could be seen with difficulty and had reasonable views of the red-head Smew.

When I went back to Ibsley Water, a couple of birders I showed the Bittern to, told me that the Great White Egret had just flown into Ivy Lake.  I went over to the north hide and there was no sign of it there, then I went over to the south hide and eventually found it preening in the reeds between north and south hide.

Last stop of the day was at Rhinefield Arboretum where there were 2 Hawfinches.