Thursday 15 January 2009

SALISBURY PLAIN GREAT BUSTARD NOW IN HAMPSHIRE

Started the day at Hampshire Hatches Lane, located the TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE after about 20 minutes, with Greylags and Canada's. There were 6 Egyptian Geese there too. On the river, 1 male and 1 female Goosander, Grey Wagtail, few Common Snipe in the fields and a Common Chiffchaff at the ford. c150 Redwing on the small farm

On to Ibsley Water Meadows looking for BEWICK'S SWANS, soon found the family group comprising 2 adults and 1 first-winter.

We then drove around to North End Farm at Harbridge for thrushes; as I scanned around one bird seemed just a teensy bit bigger, it was a GREAT BUSTARD no less! It had wing tags numbered 28 and seemed happy enough strutting around the field loosely associated with the Mute Swans, 1 adult BEWICK'S SWAN there too and c200 Fieldfare and Redwing.

Failed to find the Bittern, but had 5 Brambling and 6 Redpoll + lots of Siskins from the Woodland Hide. Quick stop at Mark Ash on the way home, terrific views of a Tawny Owl sitting in its hole entrance (Steve P and Mike B, HOSListers)