A long and exciting day in Hampshire.
A long and exciting day in Hampshire. I got off to a great start with 3 Spoonbill, Slavonian Grebe, and Bearded Tit at Pennington, and realising I had seen 40 species by 8am, decided to dry run my quest for 100 in a day, ("self found" and within 20 miles of home). A brief seawatch got me nothing, but an hour in the New Forest was excellent with Siskin, Crossbill, Woodlark, Stonechat, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, and a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker drumming. Next stop was Blashford, and after seeing Goldeneye, Goosander, Black-necked Grebe, Kingfisher, and Green Sandpiper, I was on a very healthy 80, with farmland still to come, and quite a few easy species still up for grabs. I was beginning to think that with a little luck, and a few surprises, I could get to 100, even without the help of the Summer visitors. My previous best day total being a mere 87. Sadly, the afternoon became a huge struggle.. Corn Bunting and Linnet were seen quite easily, but Yellowhammer, and Grey Partridge e