Mear Heath et al. (2nd May 2015)

After first walking the wrong direction to the twitch, I found out the place to go.  The female Hudsonian Godwit found almost immediately, but it was mostly asleep.  During the next few hours I had very good views and saw the diagnostic dark underwing.  When the flock took off it was very easy to pick out.

Also in the area were at least Great White Egrets which, because they were in breeding plumage (apart from one), I palmed off as Little Egrets!  I was soon put right.

Other good birds included Marsh Harrier, at least 20 Hobbies, fly over Bittern, lots of Swifts and a distant Raven.

Dinton Pastures (25/04/2015)

My birthday and the weather was pretty awful.  Traditional walk around the park had a smattering of warblers but missed the large flock of Arctic Terns that flew through.  The Cuckoo was very elusive and I didn't see it.

Moor Green Lakes (24/04/2015)

First Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Reed Warbler of the year

A good day on the south coast (19/04/2015)

First stop was Bolderwood, but no sign of any Tawny Owl and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Then down to Pennington/Keyhaven where in the fresh NE wind it was very cold.  Some good birds here including Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler (in song), quite a few hirundines, Mediterranean Gull, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Common Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit.  Also, at least 5 Little Ringed Plovers.

I then went over to Beaulieu Road Station where heard a Cuckoo but didn't see it.  A singing Woodlark and 5 or 6 Redstarts were the highlights.

I then got wind that the Greater Yellowlegs was back at Titchfield Haven and I went over there.  I went to the hide and managed to see the bird very well roosting with Black-tailed Godwits.  Offshore there were 2 Sandwich Terns.

Disppointment reigns (12/04/2015)

Despite getting there early there was no sign of the Greater Yellowlegs.  A few bits and pieces bolstered the year list but it was a pretty unimpressive day.

Easter Weekend (2015)

A couple of visits to Moor Green Lakes where highlights included 2s Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Owls, Barn Owl and my first Swallows of the year.

Duck giving the run around (29/12/14)

First time i've been out in ages and went over to Jubilee River for the drake Ring-necked Duck, but it had disappeared and no sign of the Jack Snipe.

I then decided to see if the duck had moved back to Bray GP's.  It had - I found it at the back of the gravel pits by the motorway picked up by its grey flanks with a white peak to the front.  It was mostly asleep but did poke its head a couple of times where I got reasonable views of its bill.