Wednesday 14th January 2026, Home Park by Jonathan Hannam

The weather at the start of this walk was very photogenic but a bit frustrating for the seven members who joined me, as there was a low mist that obscured the view. The flock of gulls on the Diana Fountain pond were mainly invisible, but we did managed to identify Cormorant and Mute Swan. Entering Home Park via the Paddock gate, a Pied Wagtail was seen but not much else until we got near the gate into the Main Park. We’d stopped to look at Robin and Blue Tit but then, much to our amazement, a male Blackcap was seen, posing nicely on top of the bramble. Moving on to the Long Water, the visibility was still poor, but there were pairs of Egyptian Geese and a few Coots. Further along the Long Water, a large flock of gulls slowly emerged into view, as the sun cleared away the mist. They were mainly Black-headed Gulls, but we were able to distinguish a few Common Gulls and Herring Gulls amongst them, as well as some Tufted Ducks. Heading towards the Stud House, Green Woodpeckers were heard and then seen, along with Stock Dove, a Jay, a couple of Mistle Thrush, a Blackbird, one Redwing and brief appearance of a Sparrowhawk. Onwards to the Wick Pond, those at the back had three Meadow Pipit fly past. On the pond, there were more Mute Swan and Tufted Duck, as well as a pair of Mallard, a pair of Shoveller and some Moorhens. A very photogenic Grey Heron was on the far bank, nicely reflected in the water.
By mutual consent, we decided to return to the cars via Bushy Park, where we added Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Longtailed Tit to the list.
Overall, 36 species were recorded by the group

Wednesday 21st January 2026, Moor Green Lakes by Peter Knox Goosanders, the more we searched the more we found

Four members arrived at the car park on a cloudy but clearing morning with a brisk easterly wind. We noticed a new path heading west and decided to try it out. We found it overlooked a number of pools which contained a sizeable number of ducks. We also found some Redwings, Fieldfare and Greenfinches after a while we decided to retrace our steps back to the car park seeing a Red Kite and a Common Buzzard. Once there we moved along the main path towards one of the main lakes. There are large breaks in the vegetation to view the lake. Here we found our first Goosanders and after a little more searching we found more, both male and female. On the largest island there was a small flock of Barnacle Geese. We moved further down the path to the bird feeders and here, we found Reed Buntings, Coal Tits and Nuthatches to name the highlight birds. From here we carried along path to a viewing screen where we saw a Little Egret and Little Grebe. We soon reached the Blackwater River and headed east along the river finding Siskin and Redpoll as well more Goosanders. We eventually arrived at a tree where a Tawny Owl had been seen recently as it had been last year but not this time.
The next stop was the next large lake where we found a range of ducks as well more Goosanders. We turned around at the next hide heading back to the car park and we still did not see the Tawny Owl. We did have a Goldcrest, Siskin, and Redpoll. Then all a sudden the Long-Tailed Tits started to alarm call and a Sparrowhawk zoomed low along the river.
Back at the car park we pack up and headed to the café for a coffee. Afterwards three of us decided to head towards Unstead SF to look for a Siberian Chiffchaff without success but we did see and hear a number of Common Chiffchaff.

The light now started disappearing and so we headed home after a successful day seeing fifty-eight species.

Sunday 25th January 2026, Hayling Island by Rebecca Dunne

7 people gathered in The Ship car park at Langstone for a tour of Hayling Island. The weather was mixed but not as wet as forecast. A surprising number of Avocets could be seen amongst the waders and ducks (including Pintail, Wigeon, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Dunlin, Redshank, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Curlew) as we looked across the mudflats from the pub car park. Brent Geese were present at every place we visited and were scanned hopefully, although without success, for Black Brant.
We were looking into the sun from the pub car park, so we drove across Langstone Bridge and looked back across the water from either side of the bridge for a better view. A Kingfisher perched between posts on the west side of the bridge and a second flashed past. Next stop was a muddy Northney from where we looked across the Emsworth Channel towards Thorney Island. This was a rather quiet stretch of water, apart from more Brent Geese and a few Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Grey Plover and Shelduck but we did add Linnet, Long-tailed Tit, Song Thrush and Greenfinch to our list. Fourth stop was Sandy Point where we watched 3 Great Northern Divers and Great Crested Grebes fishing in the estuary mouth and a Shag flew past. Our fifth stop was Sparkes Marina looking over the mudflats. A good selection of waders could be seen here including more Dunlin, Grey Plover and Redshank and we added Turnstone to our day list. Another Shag was seen along with 4 Little Grebes, a Little Egret and Shelduck. By now coffee was needed so we took a break at Northney Farm Tea Rooms before our last stop at the Oyster Beds. They are part of West Hayling NR and overlook Langstone Harbour and its islands.
It was about high tide, so hundreds, if not thousands, of waders jostling for position on the remaining fragments of land were quite a spectacle. These included more Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ringed Plover and our only Greenshank of the day. An unexpected Sandwich Tern also flew over. In the Oyster Beds themselves we were surprised to see 12 Red-breasted Mergansers which had ganged together and were pursuing shoals of fish. Scanning Langstone Harbour gave us the best birds of the day but they took a lot of finding. Amongst Great Crested Grebes, Red-breasted Mergansers and Goldeneye, we spotted a Rednecked Grebe, a male Scaup, a female Long-tailed Duck and 5 Great Northern Divers all fishing together. 2 Rock Pipits on the shoreline were our final species of the day, seen as we returned to the car park in the gathering gloom.

Tuesday 3rd February 2026, Barnes WWT by Jonathan Hannam

Twelve members braved the damp and chilly weather for a morning visit to the London Wetlands Centre. While waiting for the Visitor Centre to open, we observed a small flock of Redwing in the trees outside. We then assembled in the warm and dry Observatory, from where we picked out Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, a distant flock of Lapwing, a couple of Pochard and a Great Crested Grebe. There was also a solitary Oystercatcher. Following the usual Western Route, we sheltered in the Dulverton and WWF hides where we got closer views of the ducks and added Shelduck and Grey Heron to the list. There was a noticeable absence of Gulls, apart from a few Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen later on. At the feeders, there were several Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit, with a couple of Dunnock on the ground. A small flock of Siskin were seen in the surrounding trees. We then made our way to the Peacock hide. Mike was hanging back and was therefore the only one who saw a Bittern as it flew from the Main Lake to the Sheltered Lagoon. This was the only bittern sighting of the day. Unfortunately there were no snipe to be seen either but we did add Wigeon, Teal and Little Grebe to the list. On the way back to the Visitor Centre, we heard a brief snatch of Cetti’s Warbler and passed another larger flock of Siskin. After refreshing ourselves at the café, we did a brief excursion along the western route, which was very quiet. However, leaving the Discovery Hide on our return, Steve spotted a Water Rail that remained in view for some time, as it foraged in an open area in the middle of the Collection. Undoubtedly the highlight of the day. Altogether, 41 species were seen by the group

Sunday 8th February 2026, Blashford Lakes and Blackwater Arboretum by Peter Knox Hawfinches in the rain

Seven members arrived on an overcast and misty morning. After getting kited up we headed off towards the Woodland Hide listening and looking out for whatever birds we could find. We could hear and see Siskins high in the trees. Unfortunately, when we entered the hide all the windows were misted up with condensation on the outside and so we headed for the Ivy South hide. Just before the hide George spotted a Treecreeper and then John found a Goldcrest. From the hide we had plenty of ducks mainly Wigeon. We did not stay to long in the hide before retracing our steps back to the Woodland Hide and finding that the windows had been cleared allowing better views of Siskins, Greenfinches and other passerines coming to the feeders. Our next move was to head for the Ivy North Hide where we were surprised to see a Firecrest moving around the reed bed. Now we headed for the Tern Hide on Ibsley Water checking out the trees for any birds and finding some Redwing. Rebecca and Judy were slight behind the rest of the group and were reward with views of some Bullfinches that some other visitor had found. From the hide we found more ducks including more Wigeon and other species including Goldeneye, Pintail and Pochard. Two wader species were also found (Snipe and Oystercatchers). We also saw Stonechat on top a bush along the shoreline. Our next step was to head off towards the Rockford lake hoping to find a Red-crested Pochard. On route we saw a Mistle Thrush and another Firecrest as well more Goldcrests.
We scan the lake without any success with the Red- crested Pochard. We made the decision to head for Blackwater Arboretum with a stop on top of the New Forest to try and see a Great Grey Shirke. At this point, the rain had started to fall but not too heavy yet. We had no success with the Shrike so made for the arboretum for coffee in the carpark. After our coffee we headed into the arboretum and the rain start to fall and did not stop. We found shelter under the large pines. Rebecca found the first Hawfinch at the top of a pine. The movement of birds was a bit slow, but we found up to five more Hawfinches and a flock of mobile Crossbills. A single Crossbill did perch for a short while. We also found some Bullfinches.
We gradually became wetter and eventually we decide to finish for the day our species count was fifty-five not bad for an inland outing in winter.

Sunday 15th February 2026 Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve by Thelma Caine

Despite relentless rain, the four of us who made this trip had a successful day’s birding. Layer Breton produced the “birds of the day’ with two male Smew diving and resurfacing on the western side of the causeway. Much of the wildfowl was congregated on the pools at the southern end and on the adjacent fields, including Mute Swan, Canada, Greylag and a few Egyptian Geese, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Gadwall. Coot, Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls were also on the reservoir, and Herons were at their nesting colony in the trees. The opposite side of Layer Breton causeway produced good views of male and female Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebes and more Tufted Duck and Gadwall, together with small numbers of Pochard. Many Cormorants were on their nests in the large colony at the northern end of the causeway on the eastern side. We made our way from here to the Visitor Centre where one of the highlights was a large flock of several hundred Fieldfares which were flying up and landing to feed on hawthorn berries.
The small pools close to the centre produced views of Moorhen and Little Grebe. Also, around the main reserve we spotted a male Pheasant and a Kestrel. From the centre, we headed for Gwen’s Hide, seeking shelter from the rain. This looks out over the southern part of the reservoir where a sizeable flock of Lapwings were gathered along the opposite shoreline. Two Black-necked Grebes were diving and resurfacing out on the water, one near, the other more distant. Close to the hide several Redshanks were feeding and were joined by a Ruff, probing the mud. Several Pied Wagtails were also feeding along the shoreline. We had good views of Goldeneye from here, as well as Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebes and more distantly, a male Goosander and two male Shovelers.
A group of gulls gathered on the shoreline included a number of Great Black-backs. Moving on to Island Hide, several birders pointed out a distant Peregrine at its favourite perch on top of the Pumping Station roof, and in front of the hide, singles of Grey Plover and Turnstone fed along the water margin. Most of the duck species seen earlier were also seen from this hide in good numbers. We carried on from here to Hide Bay hide finding plentiful Lapwing out on the mud, as well as Mute Swan, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon and a Snipe. A Kestrel was spotted and a flock of around 25 Dunlin flew in and were joined by a Ringed Plover. We had lunch here before returning to the centre for a hot drink. We had intended Billets Farm as our next port of call but finding the gates padlocked, we headed instead for the watchpoint at Abberton Church with a Buzzard seen along the way, perched on a roadside post. We negotiated a large muddy pool of water just beyond the gate from the car park and headed down the path avoiding the largest puddles.
With steady rain still failing, but warmer air arriving from the south, conditions had turned misty by the time we reached the viewing screen. Nevertheless, we saw a number of Great Crested Grebes and flocks of Tufted Duck, Coot and Goldeneye before turning back along the path. We then made the short trip along the road to Lodge Lane. Setting off from here, we were surprised to find the rain had stopped. A short distance along the footpath, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tits and Great Tits were active in the hedgerow but the highlight was mixed flock of finches flitting among the trees, including around 40 Chaffinches, one or two Greenfinches and small numbers of Goldfinches and Linnets. Opposite, on the fields several Fieldfares flew across and a large flight of around 400 Lapwings was an impressive sight. More distant was another large aerial flock of hundreds of Jackdaws. From the top of the path, the Pumping Station roof was visible. Again, we located the Peregrine there, this time devouring prey. We then headed down the right-hand path, finding good numbers of duck on the lagoon, including Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall and Mallard, together with Mute Swan, mixed Gulls, Lapwings and several Redshanks. Further out on the reservoir were Great Crested Grebes, flocks of Coot, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and a few Pochards. To finish the day, while George and Judy headed for Layer Breton to see the Smew, Paul and I stopped off at Layer de la Haye, with another Buzzard seen on route.
As we arrived, a Sparrowhawk flew over, and we had a brief view of a Marsh Harrier. Out on the water, a group of male Goldeneyes were displaying to the females, characteristically throwing their heads back and we located a pair of Goosanders resting on the shoreline. In the trees at the far end of the causeway, we found Long-tailed Tits and Goldfinches and back in the car park, we were treated to the spectacle of two huge flocks of over a thousand Starlings, heading to roost, bringing the day’s tally to 60 species. Saturday 21st February 2026, Horton Country Park by Paul Spencer Seven club members and two guests joined me on a mild overcast morning on my local patch. I recorded 37 species including a pig squealing Water Rail on Meadow Pond which was my 50th species for my winter bird count for the site. I think Redwing and Peregrine Falcon were the star birds. I promised Redwings and we were treated to some very close views, especially in the dip at Filby Road, Chessington where up to 40 birds were seen moving through the trees along the Bonesgate Stream valley, some feeding on ivy berries. The male Peregrine was perched on overhead electrical wire near top of its favourite pylon on Park Farm near Pond Wood, whilst the female Peregrine was perched imperiously on the window ledge of the Water Tower on the Noble Estate. We also saw a Common Buzzard being mobbed by Herring Gulls over Castle Hill and a very distant Red Kite over Tolworth. We saw two Skylarks singing on Park Farm (Dog kennel end) and a Little Egret was present in one of the waterlogged horse fields. We also got a lovely view of a Song Thrush singing at the top of its voice and some nice views of Pied Wagtail.

Sunday 8th March 2026, Acres Down by John Barkham

This outing was postponed by a week on account of a wet weather forecast. Although there was no rain, a lingering mist and grey skies proved unsuited to see Goshawk. However we were successful with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, being initially heard by Rebecca and then sighted by Lynda as it landed in its favourite dead tree. We later walked over heathland and located 2 Woodlarks, initially in flight and then observed feeding on the ground. Numerous Ravens were heard and sighted. As the mist was not lifting, we decided to relocate to nearby Blashford Lakes. Siskin, Nuthatch and Tree Creeper were seen in the woodland around the visitor centre and Firecrest in the ivy along the stream. Ibsley Water still held large counts of wintering wildfowl. We ended the day at Hockley’s Farmyard Café in the nearby village of Mockbeggar