Yesterday I had a nasty shock, I couldn’t find my telescope (but I decided to go to Middlebere anyway). Later I contacted the office at Blashford Lakes and to my relief heard that they had found it in one of the hides the day before. Obviously Blashford was my first port of call today. After collecting the scope I had a look at Ibsley Water in the hope that Sand Martins or LRPs had arrived, no luck but its only a matter of time until they do.
Later I headed for the Anderwood area of the New Forest, another site I had been given for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Again I failed to see one, but I not only heard one call but I heard the drumming, something I don’t think I have heard before.
Later I called in at Fritham to have a look at the lake. Usually Mandarins, a beautiful introduced duck from the far east, are common there, but today I only saw one. A Marsh Tit showed well in the car park.
Much of the gorse in the Anderwood area is old and 'leggy'. This doesn't provide cover for wildlife.
... the obvious answer is rotational burning and clearance, allowing new growth to form.
The only Mandarin at Fritham
Marsh Tits are declining but I'm getting to see a lot this year.
I have two telescopes, a lightweight one I use mainly for foreign trips and a heavier 80mm Nikon which has a much greater magnification. The larger scope had been sent away for repair and was delivered back to Margaret’s workplace today. So I was reunited with both telescopes in the same day!
gryllosblog 
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