SW Hampshire wildlife reports:
January 2005

January in the Lymington-Hurst area was largely uneventful, with the best bird being the long-staying immature male Long-tailed Duck which was seen regularly throughout the month (up to 30th at least). Other notable seabirds included a dead oiled Fulmar at Hurst (8th), a total of six Red-throated Divers, several Guillemots, a single Shag (8th and 15th), but only two Slavonian Grebes and three Eiders. The Black Swan from late 2004 remained around Sturt Pond with the local Mute Swans.

Waders included a good total of nine Spotted Redshanks, as well as five Greenshanks, two Jack Snipe, two Ruff, 25 Bar-tailed Godwits, 55 Snipe and over1100 Golden Plovers. Raptors were represented by at least three Peregrines, a fem/imm Merlin, five Buzzards and single Barn and Tawny Owl. Mediterranean Gulls became more visible, with at least five being seen (2 adults, a 2nd winter and 2 1st winters). 

Other miscellaneous sightings included at least seven wintering Stonechats, three Chiffchaffs, three Dartford Warblers, at least four Bearded Tits, a flock of 120 Linnets, seven Red-legged Partridge and three Ravens (a single on 22nd and 2 on 29th). A Grey Seal was watched eating a large Flounder (29th).

Significant sightings made by other regulars included both Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, four Black-necked Grebes, five Scaup (also seen at Hengistbury), female Marsh Harrier, Little Stint and Water Pipit. Elsewhere, the highlight was the arrival of Waxwings in and around the town centre. About 90 were reported in total, most of which were feeding on Rowans outside the Community Centre. Meanwhile, a Pallas’s Warbler seen well and sketched in a Lymington garden was unfortunately not seen again despite searching.