The male Smew had been showing well off farborough bank before we arrived but had drifted out some distance and eventually went in to toft bay where overnight arrivals of 5 Pochard and a pair of Shoveler were resting. Another new arrival was a very tired Dunlin that April spotted which gave Bob plenty of photo opportunities but frustratingly we only heard the Curlew that Kevin reported flying towards us.
Dunlin
While Bob and April continued there circuit of the reservoir I doubled back to meet up with Dennis to look for the Scaup which was off hensborough bank wide awake and preening and certainly acting as if it’s thinking of moving on soon.
After looking at the hedgerow behind inlet for well over an hour there were again no sign of any Brambling but a pair of Hares put on a stunning display of boxing which is part of there courtship and this well-known 'mad March hare' behaviour actually involves unreceptive females fending off passionate males.
Only other birds of note were 68 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 15 Goldeneye, 19 Goosander (3 males), 14 Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawk plus a few Yellowhammer and Skylark.
Back home the spring sunshine encouraged a Buzzard to soar over the garden joined by my regular large female Sparrowhawk and a distant Chiffchaff could be heard.
Emmelina monodactyla
March Moth
All photos by Bob Hazell
Richard
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