Like a leaf on the breeze you blew away...

 Pennington and Keyhaven marshes are a strong draw for us during Autumn and Winter. Whilst most people derive more enjoyment from Spring and Summer - due in no small part to the climate - there are plenty, if not more things to see in the colder seasons and some beautiful sights to behold, especially here and in the nearby New Forest which we were planning to visit in the afternoon.
I met Chris in the small car park once again for a tour of this wonderful reserve opposite the Isle of Wight.
There had been reports of rare Cattle Egrets in the adjacent field to the camp site there. Just look for the cattle and there you have one!

 We edged as close as we dare to get better shots.

There had been three seen previously. Just one was in the field. I found another nestled quietly on the far shore of the lake opposite the old tip. The third wasn't to be seen.

There are four walking routes that are possible to take from the car park. We chose the easterly walk along the seawall.
The path that heads to the shore forms part of the old tip and has a broad band of bramble and bushes bordered on one side by fields that flood in Winter and the scrapes and pools of Fishtail Lagoon on the other.
In the bushes by the old tip a Cettis Warbler was scolding us and performing it's usual routine of hide and seek. It's rarely found but on this occasion I did manage at least one credible shot....

Reaching the seawall path we passed Butts Lagoon which had the usual mix of Duck plus a few overwintering Brent and Canada  Geese. Always at a distance however and in the gloom - that was the weather that accompanied us today - rather fruitless for photography.
Passing this we came to Pennington Lagoon. A long narrow pool that gives up good views from the high seawall path.
There had been regular sightings of a rare bird and one I had never set eyes on before...A Grey Phalarope. Also known as a Red Phalarope because it's summer plumage is just that and quite strikingly so. This is an adult and clearly in Winter clothes.
It breeds in the Arctic mainly on coastal tundra and overwinters off the coast of South and West Africa only visiting these shores on migration to refuel.

Such a delicate monochrome wader, quite small and clockwork in it's feeding behaviour. Usually in deeper water, almost swimming and spinning on it's axis.

Chris and I negotiated the steep bank down to the pool. The Phalarope is quite a confiding little thing and allows close approach.
The only other bird here was a single Dunlin.

Although the light was devoid of direct sunlight the grey skies seemed quite apt for such a colored bird.

We indulged ourselves in such a rare sight and felt bad about turning our backs upon it.

But move on we must and a Curlew on the shore drew our eyes and cameras away after such delights.

At Oxey Lagoon the path begins to bend and return in a circular walk. On the pool was a female Red Breasted Merganser. Part of the Sawbill family of Duck this is a rare sight so close. Usually seen much farther out in the Solent in pairs or groups in Winter.

It was nearing lunchtime so we doubled back to the car park and cut through the higher path. On the corner between the path and the scrapes the ever present blue dart we had seen on our previous walks didn't disappoint this time either.
The Kingfisher found it's perch in the bramble bushes by the edge of the path but this was the closest we could manage. Always a joy to see one however distant.

As we turned for one last look at the shore a cluster of shorebirds were feeding on the low tide.
In a bizarre instant flash of insight it reminded me of a similar place many years before where I had seen my first Purple Sandpiper in amongst the Turnstones. Within a couple of seconds I spotted one right in front of us. It felt like a sixth sense, deja vu, whatever you like to call it. We had never seen one here before. They are usually seen further east at Southsea.
I have no doubt many have been here before but as you can tell they are quite difficult to spot when the tide is out. 

It associated itself with the Turnstones and has stayed there to this day.

We had altered our course and headed straight along the coast path in a Westerly direction.
Fishtail Lagoon always seems to throw up something fairly interesting and this was our next point of contact.
A Reed Bunting flitted along the path and fence line as we stood and observed what was either on the lagoon or the sea and marsh behind us. 

Pintail were starting to gather in numbers and the males had begun to emerge from their eclipse plumage too.

It was reasonably quiet here today apart from a docile Grey Heron so we carried on, deciding to complete a circular walk back to the car park via Keyhaven harbour.

The tide was still out as we rounded the corner to the harbour bridge.
Chris spotted a Raven looking for food on the shore. One of my favourite birds and a pleasure to observe at close quarters. The iridescent colours are so subtle and the beak is so impressive. Such a magnificent corvid.

Having reached the bridge we had the chance to get our first glimpse of a new hide under construction by a local conservation group. Hardly a massive structure when all is said and done but it does give good views up the river and reedbeds on the opposite side of the harbour.
There were at least 2 Kingfisher bombing around and would occasionally perch on the overhead telephone wires looking down into the water below.

Our last leg of the walk was the top path back to the car park for a spot of lunch and then onwards to the centre of the New Forest.

Our journey into Mark Ash Wood was a trip through an Autumn wonderland, especially past Blackwater Arboretum. The Autumnal colours took our breath away and I had to concentrate hard on keeping the van on the road.
We parked in the usual spot at Mark Ash. The colours weren't too shabby here either. Although it was rather damp due to passing showers.

There are always chances to see roosting Tawny Owl and rare Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the canopy.
Our initial foray East produced a few passing Finches and Tits and briefly I saw a Hawfinch but it was gone before I could get a photograph.
We doubled back and headed West instead.

At first all seemed quiet but without warning, flocks of birds can flit through on feeding forays, so we were hopeful of seeing something.
Our patience was rewarded as a very large flock of Chaffinch seemed to arrive out of nowhere.
They descended into the leaf litter up ahead of us and when I say a large flock we estimated around 400 individuals. I don't recollect seeing so many together at one time before.
Once on the floor they have a habit of flicking over leaves in search of Beech mast which makes quite a sight in those numbers.
It wasn't easy to get near them however. All it takes is one bird to fly up then most of them follow suit.
In amongst them were their cousins the Brambling. We estimated around 50 of them interspersed among the Chaffinch. That is a very good number. Some years Brambling are few in Winter, this was an exceptional year.
They breed in Northern Europe and Asia and only visit these shores in Autumn and Winter. Their numbers fluctuate depending on food availability.

This is a male Brambling. Their plumage is more contrasting against the plumage of a Chaffinch with a darker head and orange breast. In flight the white rump is easier to pick out to define them too. The Chaffinch has a grey/green rump.
The colours of the forest where quite breathtaking as we trudged around following the flock as it moved.

As the birds settled again we managed a closer contact with a female Brambling eating the Beech seeds in the leaf litter. They are camouflaged so well.

And then a male sat briefly but still a little distant.

A brief but awe inspiring walk, we had a little light left so took the opportunity to spend the dwindling hours at another favoured spot of Black Gutter Bottom out on the moors in search of Hen Harriers...

This is a favourite roosting area for them. We parked in the muddy layby and walked down with another gentleman who knew the area well and was hopeful of a sighting also.

Having reached the valley floor we got a shout from the chap who had walked ahead. There was a male Harrier gliding along the ridge above us !
Somewhat distant, this proved to be the closest we were going to manage before the light faded. A shame but always great to grab even just a glimpse of this endangered enigmatic bird of prey.
Will return to hunt it some more....

The title of this post is a lyric taken from the song 'Forever Autumn' by Justin Hayward