The Birds
of
Basingstoke & Deane
By
Martin Pitt
1 Published in April 2017
© Martin Pitt
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author
2 BIRDS OF BASINGSTOKE & DEANE
Contents
1. Introduction 4 2. Natural History of Basingstoke & Deane 5 3. Birding in Basingstoke – a historical perspective 7 4. Birding Calendar 13 5. Useful Information 14 6. Local Bird Information 16 7. Site Guides 17 Basingstoke 18 River Valleys 24 Woodland 27 The Downs 29 The Heath 32 8. Systematic List 34 Geese & Swans 35 Shelducks & Ducks 39 Gamebirds 47 Petrels & Shearwaters 49 Grebes 50 Storks, Ibis & Herons 51 Gannet & Cormorants 54 Raptors 55 Crakes, Rails & Crane 60 Waders 62 Gulls, Terns & Skuas 72 Auks 76 Pigeons & Doves 77 Cuckoo 79 Owls 79 Nightjars & Swifts 82 Kingfisher, Bee-eater & Hoopoe 83 Woodpeckers 84 Falcons 86 Parrots 87 Shrikes & Orioles 88 Corvids 89 Waxwing 93 Tits & their allies 94 Larks 96 Hirundines 97 Bush warblers 99 Leaf Warblers 100 Tree & Reed Warblers 102 Scrub Warblers 104 Crests 106 Wren, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, & Starling 107 Thrushes 109 Flycatchers, Chats & Dipper 111 Sparrows & Accentor 116 Wagtails & Pipits 118 Finches 121 Buntings 125 Escapes 128 9. Bibliography 131 10. Citations 131
3 INTRODUCTION
When talking of Basingstoke, most people who are unfamiliar with the area are drawn by the images portrayed in the national press. An area of roundabouts and tall buildings, nicknamed ‘Houston Hampshire’ and home to a plethora of new financial and service industries.
This book seeks to create a balance to this image of Basingstoke and its environs and introduce the reader to the delights that surprisingly co-exist with the modern town. It is not to say that Basingstoke & Deane is extra special. It is a typical English mix of rural and urban, a patchwork quilt of an area that includes little gems and a variety that warrants closer inspection. It is this variety that brings a diversity of natural history and as an indicator of this diversity this book concentrates on birds.
This is not a stale and static book recording the past events but one which shares the sights and the sites of the borough so that it can act as a guide to the surrounding countryside for everyone who may find themselves in North Central Hampshire. Hopefully it will serve the visitor and the long term resident alike in introducing you to the places to go and birds to see.
We hope you enjoy this book but most of all we hope that it inspires you to go out and explore the delights of the locale and share in the natural wonders of the area. In doing so please return any interesting observations to the authors of this guide or the organisations listed particularly the Hampshire Ornithological Society and/or the Hampshire Wildlife Trust. It is only through the observations and records of a band of amateurs that we know about the birds and other wildlife in the borough and this book could become a reality.
Martin Pitt
March 2017
4 NATURAL HISTORY OF BASINGSTOKE & DEANE
Basingstoke & Deane covers an area of 634 km2 in North Central Hampshire. The borough boundary runs from the Test valley in the west and the Loddon valley in the east. It runs to the Berkshire boundary in the north and the North Downs in the south. We are on the cusp of the Thames basin and the Wealden valley. It therefore covers a number of geological zones of chalk hills and heavy clay valleys. These valleys are dominated by the water systems. The River Test drains to the west and ultimately south (entering the sea at Southampton). The River Loddon drains the eastern area northwards to the Thames. Land use of these areas is predominately mixed farming, although, as in most parts of Hampshire, the move from grazing to arable is noticeable here.
It is in this area of the Thames basin that the remaining lowland heath is found. As elsewhere, these poorer and sandy soiled areas have been planted with commercial conifers or taken for housing. Small pockets of natural heath remain and these retain their natural fauna and flora despite heavy pressure from recreational use.
Despite these rivers there are no large lakes in the borough. The majority of water bodies are associated with the ornamental grounds of large houses and the like. They are all unlikely to be of natural origin and as a consequence they are somewhat variable in terms of their value for wildlife.
Copses and ancient woodlands are dotted around the landscape but most are fragmented and only Pamber Forest exceeds 1 km2 in its own right. These ancient woodlands are predominantly Oak and Ash with an under storey of Hazel, although Beech stands are not uncommon on the Downs. Coppicing of Hazel is still practiced, and this habitat of mature Oak over coppiced Hazel holds an interesting mix of species. These woods are better known for Butterflies than they are for birds or mammals.
Mammals are not often encountered, but both Badger and Fox are widespread. Three species of deer definitely occur, namely Roe, Fallow and Muntjac although only the former is likely to be encountered on casual Marsh Helleborine at Mapledurwell visits.
Muntjac appears to be established to the north of Basingstoke itself. Fallow are occasionally found roaming loose but are also ‘farmed’ on the large estates, particularly around Hackwood Park.
5 Rabbit and Hare are common on the down land and are most prevalent to the North and West of Basingstoke. Stoat and Weasel are widespread but not often encountered due to their retiring habits.
Otter and Mink are also part of the Borough Fauna, but unlikely to be seen. Certainly Otter are increasing nationally and are found here, although the population is not understood at the moment. American Mink were present following releases, most notoriously from a New Forest fur farm, although it is believed are certainly declining and may have gone.
Mention should also be made of Water Voles. Declining over much of the country, they have a liking for the clear spring fed streams in the borough. They are most often seen at Barton’s Mill and The Vyne.
Lepidoptera and Odonata abound. Hampshire Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Pamber Forest is a locally recognised site for Purple Emperor and White Admirals, Silver-washed and Dark-green Fritillaries are not uncommon here and in other oak woods across the borough. Pamber Forest has also been actively managed for invertebrates and this has attracted a return of damselflies and dragonflies, including the Golden-ringed Dragonfly. Other locations in the borough are known to hold many species and through June- August, the heaths at Silchester and Benyon’s Enclosure host Brilliant and Downy Emeralds. Many waterways will hold a mix of species including Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles, a mix of Broad Bodied Chaser – at Chineham Damseflies and other Dragonflies.
Regular moth trapping has shown the richness of sites in the borough and mixed habitat locations has added species to the vice-county list and regularly attracts impressive species such as hawk-moths.
Although there are no flowers of national importance in the borough, the HWT nature reserves at Mapledurwell, Tadley and Old Burghclere Lime Pits are recognised more for their flora rather than fauna.
The range of native orchids in the Basingstoke area is extensive and includes important populations of Marsh Orchids and Marsh Helleborines. Green-winged Orchids abound at Tadley and down land species can be found where the chalk is still grazed particularly in the northwest of the borough, including Burnt-tip and Frog Orchids at Ladle Hill.
6 BIRDING IN BASINGSTOKE - A HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE
With the close proximity to Selbourne and the father of modern ornithology, Gilbert White, being on our door step in is perhaps to be expected that correspondence on the avifauna of the area would have hit the consciousness of the great man and some records and observations from within the borough boundary. However there is no evidence in his writing that he ever visited the area. His correspondence and journal notes on Basingstoke are few and far between and frustratingly seem to concentrate on the state of the barley crop! He obviously became the target of natural history findings of others and we do have him to thank for what must be the first record of Manx Shearwater, with one reported being found a few days before September 19th 1790 at Basing.
Beyond this there are a number of large estates that have a history of accommodating the hunting and fishing days typical of the late Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian era. Bag records should give an understanding of the duck and gamebirds in the area and therefore the habitat predominating. However research has shown that there is little that can give a historic perspective.
Farming as the predominant land use is little changed in designation over the last hundred years. The exception of the loss of lowland heath from over-planting with conifers and being built on in the growing urban sprawl in the environs of Basingstoke and Tadley. However, farming practice has changed considerably in that time. Intensification of yields, the move to arable and then to spring crops and the loss of sheep grazing on the downs has changed the habitat of the local countryside.
From a wildlife reporting perspective, little is known from the period before the Ornithological Section of the Hampshire Field Club came into existence in 1954. There are however a number of notable records that a mentioned in literature that come from the period prior to 1950 and are therefore excluded from the systematic list.
There is evidence that the heathlands held Black Grouse until the late Victorian period. It is not known whether this was the original population that was found across the county, and commonly in the New Forest until circa 1830, or from restocking that occurred both in the Forest and other heath areas such as Woolmer in the latter part of the century. There are no twentieth century records from the North-east of Hampshire and this must include the borough.
Another high profile species that is thought to have been resident is the Great Bustard. Certainly, breeding died out in the 18th Century and the odd wandering bird may have ventured into the area from its stronghold in Salisbury plain during the normal winter dispersal. It is interesting that the last Hampshire record occurred within the borough at St Mary Bourne on Jan 12th 1910. Whether this relates to a British bird is highly unlikely and it is more likely to be of continental origin. This being reinforced by the shooting of a Little Bustard nearby at Whitchurch on Jan 4th 1873.
It is clear that most records from the borough at these time are of the large and obviously species and those that found themselves added to the ‘bags’ on the large estates.
The historic borough record of White-tailed Eagle falls into this former category with a lone bird being seen at Highclere on Dec 18th 1927. A record of a Goshawk shot at Highclere in 1886 is representative of the second category.
7 Word should also be made of one other species that was recorded in the 19th century and not since. Pallas’s Sandgrouse is a species of steppes and semi-deserts from Kazakhstan eastwards. It is an irruptive species and during these periodic and increasingly rare population movements birds were found in numbers well west of their normal range and in some cases they even stayed on to breed. There were two massive invasions in the late 19th century that reached the UK. In 1863 they just reached Hampshire but in 1888 flocks of birds were seen around the county from early May onwards. At this time, records were received from around Overton. There are no details of the numbers involved in the borough records, but the last of these visitors stayed until May 1889 around the New Forest. The last irruption to reach these shores was in 1908, and although there were records not far from our boundaries there appears to be no record from within the borough on this occasion.
The populations of many species have shown fluctuations over the last hundred or so years. It is tempting to say that the rate of change has accelerated in the last few decades.
Some of these changes have been driven by land use changes, some no doubt by climate change. Yet for some we have little idea of why the populations have changed. We have, as most parts of the county and country, suffered local extinctions. To balance this we also have some species that would have been unknown to our forefathers
Losers
The number of species lost to the borough is marked. Some have been lost altogether others have been lost as breeding species but still visit at other times of the year. The changes in habitat have had their affect and it is clear that the changes in land use have prompted most of the losses. Many of these changes started years ago, as noted with the corncrake, and are linked with the changes in the agricultural landscape. The impact of this still goes on and the Corn Bunting seems to be the latest species to be lost as a breeding species in the borough.
With other species, such as the Red-backed Shrike, something more complex occurred and this is likely to be initiated by climate change. Like any change, the impact was not helped by the reduction in suitable habitat particularly the loss of lowland heath. The text concentrates on five species, although there are others that could easily be considered as being lost to the borough.
Redpoll It is likely that the Redpoll was never a numerous species in the borough. The recent splitting and then re-lumping of the species shows the confusion over the cabaret Lesser Redpoll form. It is a species of heath edges and wet woodland and historically has appeared as a scarce breeder and winter visitor. The local breeding population has tumbled in the last decade to the point where it is locally extinct as a breeding species. This is more likely to be climate related as we are on the easterly limit of the Redpoll’s range. Of similar concern has been the drop in wintering numbers and it is now a scarce species in the borough.
Corn Bunting A bird of arable lands and hay meadows, the Corn Bunting has suffered in recent years with the intensification of farming practice and the move to winter wheat. It is evidently extinct in the borough as a breeding species. The 2005 survey failed to find a single singing bird in its former down land range. In 2014, three singing males were found in the Ashley Warren/Ladle Hill area, but this resurgence appears to have been
8 short lived. It hangs on as a borough species through odd individuals joining wintering finch and bunting flocks. Recent incentives in stewardship payments may help this species, however it has also been lost from the surrounding areas of Hampshire and there is not a clear source to repopulate from.
Cirl Bunting This is a species that has actually both come and gone. It was unknown in Gilbert White’s day but by the late nineteenth century was a common bird of the Downs from Beachy Head westwards and evidence suggest in the borough as well. It is thought of as a bird of the Mediterranean and a hot countries replacement for the Yellowhammer. The population crash across England came in the latter part of the twentieth century and now it only hangs on in South Devon.
Cohen & Taverner recorded three habitat types for Hampshire of which two; the sides of main river valleys, and chalk down lands with hedges and trees are relevant to the borough.
It was certainly a breeding species around Mapledurwell in the early sixties, and also in the upper reaches of the Test although when it was lost it as a borough bird is not actually known. The last Hampshire breeding occurred just outside our area near Andover in 1984 and the last sighting of any birds were shortly after this.
Red-backed Shrike Historically, a familiar, if not common, summer visitor. It was lost not only to borough but as a UK breeding bird in the mid-1980s. It is believed that climate change, especially damper springs, are the culprit in this case. It still hangs on as a scarce passage migrant.
It was a species of scrub and field edges and the tidying of farms would certainly have accelerated the decline. In Hampshire, Red-backed Shrike was also a bird of lowland heath, particularly in the New Forest. The areas of this habitat left in the borough are now too small to support the species.
The borough was amongst the last breeding areas in the county with pairs recorded at Silchester and Sherfield in Loddon in 1968. Afterwards breeding was sporadic and some records relate to territorial males that remained unmated throughout the season. A male at Bramley camp in 1979 is believed to fall into this category. The last breeding record relates to a pair that raised two young near Overton in 1984.
Corncrake Another species that was once widespread that has succumbed to changes in agricultural practice. Its disappearance across Hampshire occurred pre-war and then this accelerated and progressed so that it is now only a breeding species in the Western Isles.
The practice of cultivating hay meadows disappeared from our river valleys many years ago and it is conjecture that our Corncrakes left at the same time. Records were received from the Ashmansworth, Ecchinswell and Highclere areas up until 1938 but a decline was evident then. The last confirmed breeding was an adult and three young destroyed by mowing equipment at Ecchinswell in June 1938. Subsequently all records have been of autumn migrants.
9 Winners
Not all the news has been doom and gloom. Change has definitely driven some species from the borough, yet at the same time we have welcomed others that were unknown or very scarce in 1950. It is true that most of the winners are not unique to this area and most do not have specific and specialised habitat requirements. Again five species are covered but on this occasion it would be more difficult to add additional species to those shown below.
Collared Dove The story of the Collared Dove is an extraordinary one. Not only has the species spread from Asia Minor within a generation, but it is now established as one of the commonest birds in Britain.
It is still a mystery what prompted the massive increase in range and population but it is known that it arrived in England in July 1956. It was first seen in Norfolk and then in August 1957, the first for Hampshire was seen in Gosport. The initial spread was along the coast from the South-east and the first borough record relates to records from Stratfield Saye in 1963.
By 1971 Cohen & Taverner reported them as widespread and the BTO atlas of 1969- 1972 shows records of breeding pairs in every 10Km square of the borough. The tetrad atlas of 1986-1991 shows gaps in the breeding range only where the open down land provides little suitable habitat.
This is still the position today, where it one of ten most common species and one of the most conspicuous.
Little Egret Another species that has shown a rapid, if more recent, change in status in the country, county and the borough. Although a scarce vagrant before, the first influx occurred in Hampshire in 1989 with seventeen birds in the Keyhaven area of the coast from July onwards. This turned out to be a precedent for an invasion. The numbers of the coast, particularly in late summer grew over the next few years and by the turn of the millennium it was both a breeding species on the coast and hundreds were regularly seen at preferred roost sites.
Inland it has become a winter visitor. Birds have pushed up the river valleys including the Itchen and the Test since 1999 and generally have rapidly increased in the new millennium. With a roost forming at Old Basing in 2003/2004, the numbers in the Basingstoke area continued to increase peaking at 23 in 2005, but remaining slightly below this figure since. More roosts were found as the birds dispersed and therefore the overall population is probably 50 or so birds each winter and they are a regular sight of winters along the water courses.
Little Ringed Plover The Little Ringed Plover first bred in Britain in 1938, and before this date were extreme rarities. It was first seen in Hampshire in 1951 and breeding first occurred just outside the borough at Bramshill in 1964. The 1968-1972 BTO atlas shows that we sat to the south west of the breeding range, which was centred on gravel extraction sites throughout the main river systems of the Midlands and the Thames valley.
With the increase in breeding came the increase in migrants particularly at sites along the Test and stony cleared areas. Breeding was noted in the borough at two sites
10 during the 1986-1991 survey and since then breeding has been sporadic and dependent upon the right sort of habitat being available. Typical of this has been the attempts to breed at the Vyne since 2002, including three young raised in 2003.
Little Ringed Plover remains a regular passage bird in the borough and post breeding numbers can grow rapidly at preferred sites, no doubt including birds that breed in the Thames Valley. The borough record stands at 14 birds seen together at the Vyne on 16th July 2004.
Gadwall The Gadwall was a ’rather scarce winter visitor’ to the county until around 1970. It was a recently as 1961 that the first July record was seen and it was from 1977 onwards that summering birds were regularly seen. It is unclear what has driven the increase the species but certainly some are from feral stock. However, this alone does not explain the change in habits and the increase in counts.
It is certainly the case that the species is common inland and the borough is typical of this. Breeding first occurred in the county in 1983 in the Itchen Valley and by 1987 the species was established as a breeder in the Test Valley with 4 broods at Overton and also in the Loddon at Stratfield Saye. Breeding has been annual ever since and site totals have flattened off with a maximum of ten pairs at Stratfield Saye. The Vyne was the latest site where they have bred, with a pair raising six young in 2012.
It is as a wintering species that these two sites became most important. Today the species is resident across the various lakes in the borough. In fact is can be an enigmatic species that seems to drift between the various sites without any clear pattern arising.
Buzzard
It is assumed that the Buzzard was once widespread across the southern counties of England in the same way it is currently plentiful in the West. It is presumed that the scarcity since Victorian times was due to persecution and that by 1905 K & M seemed uncertain whether the species was nesting regularly in the county at all.
Re-population appears to have commenced after the First World War and centred on the New Forest and the south west of the county. The initial spread was slow and the first local record appears to have been one shot at Ramsdell in 1946. The first local breeding recorded was the pair that raised young at Stratfield Saye in 1961.
Until the mid-1970s the overall Hampshire population remained unchanged and the BTO Atlas following fieldwork in 1968-1972 showed the borough to be on the easterly extreme of the breeding range. However by the New Atlas, representing fieldwork from 1986-1991, showed over thirty tetrad squares were occupied and by the next atlas (2007-2012) all but 4 tetrads in the borough were occupied.
Today the Buzzard is a familiar site across the whole of the borough. Birds regularly cross the built up areas of Basingstoke and can be seen taking territory across almost every copse across the Downs and the river valleys. It has become the easiest bird of prey to see in the borough.
Red Kite
Although listed as a winner, the Red Kite’s status in the borough is directly attributed to the re-introduction programme undertaken by Natural England/RSPB. It is the case
11 that historically Red Kites would have been familiar birds and even after the extermination in the mid-19th Century, they were not totally unknown. A record in 1978 of a German ringed bird shows that continental immigration was not unknown.
However, after the Chilterns release site was established in 1989, the number of local records followed from 1992 onwards. The initial records were of individual wandering birds either in the far west of the borough, or along the Loddon Valley. There has been a big increase in the last 10 years and now it is a familiar bird around, and sometimes within, Basingstoke.
Breeding may have started in 1992, but was initially confirmed in 1996 & 1997. It has been confirmed annually since 2000, however initially it was still. Since 2007 numbers have increased further and nest sites have been reused. 12 nest sites were found in 2011 and now there are probably as many as 50 breeding pairs present in the borough as a whole.
12 BIRDING CALENDAR
March – May
The period of spring migration and breeding for the resident species. On the chalk the Stone Curlew arrive and breed in small numbers. Wheatears are passage visitors. The woodland warblers arrive and establish territories. In the river valleys, Redshank and Little Ringed Plover appear and in good years stay on to breed. A few Yellow Wagtails are also present but these are just passing through.
On the heaths small numbers of Nightjar and Woodlark join the Dartford Warblers in staking their claims. A few Tree Pipits may sing for a short while.
The migratory flyways across the area are not well defined however the river valleys attract diurnal migrants and these have included Osprey, Harriers and Honey Buzzard. Overshoot vagrants occur in this season including Black Stork, Bee-eater and Hoopoe.
June-July
High summer is often a quiet time across all habitats. The first of the non-breeding Greenshank and Green Sandpipers appear in the pools and rivers. On the chalk, Skylark, Linnets and Partridge have broods and keep relatively hidden. Hobbies are familiar hunting across the open areas.
Swifts are a common sight in Basingstoke and other built up areas.
August – October
In the river valleys, and the watermeadows, return migration is much stronger than the spring. Redshank, Greenshank and Little Ringed Plover numbers peak. They are joined by Common Sandpiper, Dunlin and Ruff. Passerine passage is more defuse. Wheatear and Whinchats can be found across the area but favour rough ground especially at the Millfield. Ring Ouzels have been found on the downs and general passage of hirundines can be seen from any high ground.
In the woodlands, Siskin numbers build as flocks form and the post breeding bird flocks of Tits, Nuthatches and Treecreepers can be searched for the occasional Wryneck or even a rarer vagrant – Yellow browed warbler.
November – February
Most areas become quieter. The woodland species form mixed foraging flocks and the heaths hold sparse numbers of post breeding Dartford Warbler and Stonechat. The waterfowl numbers increase on the rivers and lakes in the region. Wigeon, Teal and Gadwall being the dominant species. Little Egret has become an increasing winter visitor, and whether the stay to breed will become evident in the next few years.
On the downs the gull numbers increase, with Lesser Black-backed being the dominant species. In areas where game strips and sympathetic farming are used finch and bunting flocks build. Associated with these are a small, but important population of Raptors, Short-eared Owl and in some winters Great Grey Shrike.
13
USEFUL INFORMATION
Basingstoke is accessible from both the M3 and M4 motorways. The length of the borough is well served from trains from London (Waterloo) with stations at Basingstoke, Overton and Whitchurch. Away from the main town, public transport is scarce and the Stagecoach operated bus service is difficult to tie into a visit to most of the areas covered in this book. This means that your own car is essential away from the immediate Basingstoke sites.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council – the local council is a good port of call for general information. They have a parks service and co-ordinate activities and wildlife liaison
Telephone: 01256 844 844 Website www.basingstoke.gov.uk: Email: [email protected]
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – maintains three reserves in the borough. None of these reserves are specifically associated with Birdlife but each have designated SSSI status and something of interest can often be found in these areas of relict habitat. Address: Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hants, SO32 2DP Telephone: 01489 774400 Website: www.hwt.org.uk
National Trust – the charity has a single property in the area at the Vyne, just north of Basingstoke. There are other landholdings around the central pay-to-access house and gardens and these such as Morgaston Wood and Basingstoke Forest/Carpenters Down are free to access at any time. The estate has various guided walks during the year including a dawn chorus event for birdwatchers and Butterfly walk. Details can be obtained from the estates office. Telephone: 01256 881337 Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
South West trains – the franchise holder for services in the area. Basingstoke is well served by rail lines being on the confluence of routes from London to Exeter via Salisbury, Weymouth via Southampton and Portsmouth. There is also a line that runs to the north via Reading. Telephone: 0845 6050 600 Website: www.southwesttrains.co.uk
Stagecoach buses – there is a local bus service with a hub in Basingstoke that services the town and outlying districts. Telephone: 0871 200 22 33 Website: www.stagecoachbus.com
RSPCA - any wounded or distressed birds and animals should be reported to the RSPCA Telephone:0870 55 55 999 Website: www.rspca.org.uk
14 Veterinary numbers – a number of Veterinary surgeries are in the borough. Two in Basingstoke include
The Barn Animal Hospital, Great Binfields Road, Lychpit Telephone: 01256 329522 Website: www.barnvets.co.uk
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre, 4 Brighton Hill Parade, Brighton Hill Telephone: 01256 844044 Website: www.basingstokevets.co.uk
15 LOCAL BIRD INFORMATION
RSPB local group Basingstoke has an active RSPB group that meets monthly during the indoor season at The Barn, Church Cottage, St Michael’s Church, Basingstoke RG21 7QW and also runs a series of walks and outing to show local birdwatchers. Further details can be found via www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke.
HOS contacts
The local birding community is served by the Hampshire Ornithological Society. Despite its somewhat pompous name this is a club run by birders for birders and is a mine of useful information on birding in Hampshire, both in terms of where to go and what to see.
There are four main sources
HOS website – found at www.hos.org.uk. This has much information on the society and on birding in Hampshire in general.
Goingbirding website – found at www.goingbirding.co.uk/hants/birdnews which carries up to date bird sightings across the county.
Hoslist – a yahoo-based discussion group that carries local bird news and other topics of conservation interest.
Kingfisher – the quarterly magazine that contains a news and sightings update, articles of local relevance and the listing of outings and walks that occur nearly every weekend across the county.
The Hampshire Bird Report – an annual publication publish around the end of the year following the year in question. This carries a series of papers on birds and conservation in Hampshire and a full systematic list of all the species recorded in Hampshire during the year.
All information of this can be found on the website or via the membership secretary, Kay Shillitoe, ‘Westerly’, Hundred Acres Road, Wickham, PO17 6HY.
For records and general bird data the contact is the County Recorder: Keith Betton. All Hampshire records can be sent to him by email to [email protected].
16 SITE GUIDES
Birders each have their favourite sites in the borough and together they form a good cross section of habitats and potential species regardless of the time of year. As a whole they represent the diversity of the borough under public access. There are plenty of other good areas waiting to be found and unfortunately, a further list of sites that are well watched but are private and access is only possible after careful negotiation with the land-owner. As all sites are bounded by private land and access is generally on public footpath we feel obliged to ask that birders respect the birdwatching and rural codes at all times and please do not trespass – it may let you see something of interest marginally closer but it will give birders a bad name and will therefore affect us as we have to live here!
For ease these are divided into five groups reflecting the range of habitat across the borough. The first section is more of mixed bag as it includes site within easy reach of Basingstoke itself and therefore covers a mix of habitat in this sub-urban setting. Each site is shown with a referenced map that is best used in conjunction with the appropriate 1:25,000 Ordinance Survey sheet.
Basingstoke The central areas of Basingstoke does appear to be a concrete jungle, and surrounded by housing estates that appear unsuitable for wildlife of any form, however even here there little oasis’ of parks and larger gardens that do provide a home to birds etc. Even a few minutes in Eastrop park or the War Memorial park will show something. However, even in this apparently unhopeful setting there are hotspots that warrant a longer visit.
River Valleys The borough is dominated by two main river valleys the Test from its source at Ash and the Loddon that passes to the Thames Basin to the north. Both are difficult to access due to private ownership, and the estate ponds provide habitat for many of the ducks and waterbirds.
Woodland The borough is blessed with ancient managed woodland primarily of Oak, Ash and Hazel. However none bar Pamber are particularly extensive. Many hold a rich variety of species as well as some of national importance.
The Downs The areas to the North and South of Basingstoke are dominated by chalk down land. The majority of these areas have been converted to arable farming in the last fifty years or so and the grazed areas typical of sheep rearing have all but disappeared. The vistas to the south and the north are typical of the highest areas and although birds are scarce this is an important part of the diversity of the borough. The area around Kingsclere was immortalised in the book ‘Watership Down’
The Heaths The borough holds vestiges of the Thames Basin Heaths. Much of this has been planted with conifers but small patches of heath and gorse still remain. These hold small populations that are so typical of the New Forest.
17 BASINGSTOKE
B1 The Millfield LNR Map 1 Timing: Any time, best early morning Season: All year Access: Car Park for Basing House Habitat: River, open space & cress beds
The Millfield area includes an area of that was known until recently as the Loddon Valley Open Space and also the mix of cressbed and riverine copse around Barton’s Mill. It is an area that is well watched and consequently has built an impressive list of visiting species that is the envy of most inland Hampshire sites. The daily observation has shown that many species use the Loddon Valley as a flyway, and during migration particularly almost anything could turn up.
1 Km
Lychpit
Olivers Battery The Little Basing Millfield
London gstoke -Basin Bartons y Railwa P Mill Old
Great Basing Barn Peat Moor Basing House
THE MILLFIELD
Parking is straightforward in the well sign posted Basing House car park near the Millstone Public House (please leave the pub car park to their patrons). Following a route across the access road you pass the children’s play area and move out to the open field itself, keeping the hedge line to the right .
The hedge line holds finches and thrushes and warblers will often show themselves or dive from the scrub to the hedge line as you walk along.
Following the edge of the field around, you arrive at the flood balancing area . The stream often has a Grey Wagtail and the damp woodland close to the River Loddon is a site for Marsh Tit, and Siskin and Redpoll in winter.
The edges to the field can be searched for Sylvia warblers and Grasshopper Warbler has bred. The open field is generally overgrown and this attracts Stonechat in winter and Whinchat in autumn.
18 Returning to the Millstone, there is a river- side track that passes under the Railway viaduct. Just past the pub, on the stream bridge , there is a view to the lake in the pub’s private garden. The lake has small numbers of wildfowl, including Gadwall and regular Little Grebe. The lakeside trees invariably have Grey Heron and since the millennium a roost of Little Egret. It is worth keeping an eye out for Kingfisher in this area.
The track continues alongside the Loddon, and beyond the railway there are abandoned cressbeds that attract Water Rail in winter. The small reed bed on the The Loddon nr Barton’s Mill other side of the river attracts locally scarce species, with breeding Reed Warbler, and a winter roost of buntings.
B2 Black Dam Nature Reserve Map 2 Timing: Any time Season: All year Access: open access from car park in Black Dam Habitat: Lakes, open space & damp copse
1 Km
A339 Basingstoke Common Ring Road
Eastrop P Crabtree Plantation 3 1 5
2 M3 P Northbound 4
Black Dam BLACK DAM
Another well-watched area in centre of Basingstoke, tucked up close to Junction 6 of the M3. Until recently this was jointly managed as a HWT nature reserve although the lack of funding appears to have put its status in doubt. Access is via Black Dam neighbourhood, or alternatively from the Crabtree Plantation car park on the A30. From the Black Dam car park the access is straight forward and consists of two loops.
19
The first loop takes you around the ponds visible from the car park. These are favourites for ‘feeding the ducks’ and hold a number of common species, mainly Coot, Canada Geese and Mallard. Tufted duck are also normally present and occasionally scarcer species such as Goosander and Smew have been found.
The pond edges attract Grey Wagtail and Chiffchaff can be found year round. There is often a Kingfisher seen. The link road to the M3 and the ring road bound this site and it can be quiet noisy. The lampposts on the roads generally attract large numbers The main pond at Black Dam is a favourite for young families for ‘feeding the ducks’ of Black-headed Gull.
The second loop involves going through the underpass under the motorway link and then into the wooded area. This was until recently managed as a HWT reserve. The damp woodland attracts winter Redpoll and Siskin. Rarer species have been found and a singing Firecrest spent a few weeks holding territory in a recent spring. A Yellow-browed Warbler joined the tit flock on an autumn evening. The first area is dominated by the spring feed pools that tend to stay unfrozen even in the hardest winters.
A recreation open space covers the sloping land up to Crabtree Plantation on the A30. The woodland is mainly Oak and other mature trees and contains a mix of typical species that can be found in any such habitat around Basingstoke, e.g. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Marsh Tit. An alternative car park is at the far Eastern end of the plantation, accessed off the A30. This was the original entrance to the Hackwood Estate and this explains the remains of the Gated archway in the car park. This part of the estate was left marooned when the M3 was built.
B3 The Vyne Map 3 Timing: Any time Season: All year TheAccess Vyne: footpath from Morgaston Lane Habitat: Woodland, Lake & Watermeadow
The historic Vyne estate is based around the ancestral home of the Chute family approximately 3 miles north of Basingstoke. The estate actually extends to the edge of the Basingstoke and includes a mix of heath farmland and woodland in addition to the ornamental parkland around the main house. The land is all in the ownership of the National Trust and the park and gardens are subject to an entry fee. To visit the areas here it is not necessary to enter the grounds and open access is available year round.
There is a small parking area on Morgaston Lane and the tour of this mixed habitat immediately pitches into oak and chestnut woodland of Morgaston Wood. Tits and Nuthatches are common and a mixed flock can be chanced upon in winter. Following the main concrete track you pass an area of conifers that attract coal tits and crossbills in irruption years, before arriving at the wood shed . This area is good for Siskin flocks and in winter, Brambling are regularly seen around here.
20 To Tadley 1 Km
National 9 Trust P 1 Car Park
Morgaston Wood
2 Lake Morgaston Lane 8 3 7 5 House 4 Watermeadow
6
THE VYNE To Basingstoke To Sherborne St John
Turning right and heading down the slope by open areas you arrive at the valley bottom . Around here and along the stream edge is favoured by Willow Tit. These are most easily found in winter and early spring. At there is a part hidden track that crosses the stream and heads out across the water meadows. Once leaving the wood this is well defined along a barbed wire fence line and area of Willow Carr. Reed bunting are common and this also gives the first views over the watermeadow.
The view over the meadow improves as the path heads across grazing fields and into parkland. With the sun behind you at it is possible to view the whole of the watermeadows and its assembled ducks in winter, and waders in summer and on passage. Wigeon and Teal are the most numerous ducks, but Shelduck, Gadwall and Shoveler are regular. Breeding waders include Redshank Lapwing and Little Ringed Plover. At passage times these are joined by Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, The Vyne Watermeadow Ruff and Dunlin. Special mention must be made of Yellow Wagtail. These did occur in small numbers in spring and autumn and may still pass through.
Returning to the main path continue eastwards past the new bird hide. This recent addition is only marred by looking directly into the sun, but will give a good second view over the watermeadow. Continuing on heading towards the main house the Lake comes into view at . This is also an entrance to the grounds for members and NT ticket holders. In winter, Tufted Duck & Pochard join the resident Coot on the lake. Occasional visitors have included Smew, Goosander and Goldeneye. Cormorant have moved into the area and a few birds are
21 present throughout the winter. The lawns up to the main house are favoured grazing for the local flock of Canada Goose and Greylag Geese.
The path continues around the end of the wood by the grazing meadow. A path crosses this meadow to the main NT car park at . This route gives better views of the lake and the house itself. Returning to the woodshed brings you past an area of regenerating scrub at . This area holds good numbers of Willow Warbler in spring, and can warrant a closer look for Spotted Flycatcher which hangs on in a select few places in the borough
B4 Carpenters Down Map 4 Timing: Any time, best at evening Season: Spring & Summer Access: footpath from Popley or Chineham Habitat: Woodland & Heath
Although considered separately Carpenters Down, or Basing Wood, is actually part of the Vyne estate, and it is managed under a long lease by the Forestry Commission and is named part of the ‘Basingstoke Forest’. The habitat is mixed scrubby woodland interspersed with areas of open heath and a few planted conifers. The whole area suffers from a semblance of neglect especially at its entrances and is subject to car dumping and periodic arson. Although not known for any incidents, it is best not to visit alone.
Parking is straightforward by the Popley Community centre , itself reached from the A33 Chineham Business Park roundabout. The initial view is over Popley fields, an area of grass that attracts little beyond wagtails and Meadow Pipit. The open access wood is criss-crossed with paths & tracks and this route gives a reasonable mix of the habitats on offer.
To Bramley
Carpenters Down Wood To Sherborne 4 5 St John Chineham Spiers Copse Business Park
6 3
2 7 Carpenters Down P 1
POPLEY A33 To Reading
The first area is primarily coniferous wood and by turning eastwards the ancient Oak wood is more evident as you approach the edge of the business park . This area is generally
22 marked by tit flocks in winter, but is good for Sylvia warblers in spring. Turning north the metalled path follows the edge of the wood.
A full exploration of this oak wood can be made by joining the marked footpath at . Continuing on along the edge of the business park until a track back into the heart of Carpenters Down is reached and turning west the track crosses a fallen tree and cuts in through the wood until in opens out into a grassy ride. The area to the north of the ride becomes scrubby and this was a likely area for Nightingale. Unfortunately they have not been heard for some years.
A distinct crossroads is reached at . This is good vantage point for watching for roding Woodcock and perhaps even a Nightjar in May/June. Other species can be evident during an evening visit and there is a movement of corvids back towards the Basingstoke roost sites for the surrounding agricultural land. Cuckoo, Hobby, Buzzard The open areas of regenerating scrub attract and Red Kite have all been seen here. Stonechat in winter and roding Woodcock in summer Turning south the track follows the edge of the heath areas. Stonechat are present year round, and a pair of Tree Pipits nest close by. Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler are all relatively common . This part of the wood is noted for Heath Spotted and Early Purple Orchids in season.
Continuing along the ride you arrive back at the conifer line at . Before returning to the car park it is worth spending a few minutes checking for crests, Coal Tit and other finches. .
23 RIVER VALLEYS
RV1 Sherfield Area Map 5 Timing: Any time Season: Spring, winter if flooding Access: public footpaths from Sherfield Habitat: River valley and agricultural land
The Loddon drifts through his area surrounded by thickets and copses in an otherwise agricultural area. Sherfield Oaks golf course is new constructed on mixed farmland and the balancing pools and new planting have changed the initial part of this walk.
Easy parking can be found next to the White Hart pub in the village. Crossing the The field edges can hold a mix of A33 the footpath takes you immediately wild annual flowers into farmland and along the edge of Laundry Copse . Buntings and finches are often present.
The area here crosses the new Sherfield Oaks Golf Course. The open areas still hold Linnet and Yellowhammer with Wheatear being regularly seen on passage. Just beyond the club house is a balancing pond that has attracted Tufted Duck and Little Grebe to stay and breed.
Anywhere here onward is good for Mandarin. They tend to stick close to the wooded areas along the river except in spring when pairs pursue each other flying over the whole area.
A33 To Reading
P Hartley Common Wood
Sherfield R 5 on Loddon iv er L 1 od d o Laundry 2 n Copse
Mill Farm Lance Levy Farm A33 4 3 To Basingstoke To 1 Km Newnham
Summerstead SHERFIELD AREA Farm
24 The damp wooded areas of the valley hold Marsh Tit and Sedge Warbler. During passage the river valley does act as a visual routing and Cuckoo, Hirundines and Warblers have all been seen and with more effort the species evident at the well-watched Millfield should be prevalent.
The route back to Sherfield from Summerstead Farm is dominated by agricultural use. At .Yellowhammer and Whitethroat are common in summer and flocks of winter thrushes later in the year. Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are often seen. By Buzzard and Red Kite should be seen, most often over Hartley Common Wood. The last stretch can be enlivened by wildfowl in winter months, the numbers being low unless the Loddon goes into flood.
RV2 Freefolk & River Test Map 6 Timing: Any time Season: winter Access: public footpaths Habitat: River valley
Much of the Test valley is frustratingly private leaving the visitor with little opportunity beyond a glimpse of the river and the immediate damp habitats. Freefolk gives public access to both sides of the river and a pleasant stroll through the high reaches of the Test and downstream to Whitchurch with its abandoned watercress beds.
The location and species are typical of the river valley and offer numbers of waterfowl with woodland and agricultural species en-route. There is no reason to suppose that these are not typical of the valley as a whole and evidence from the unfortunately private sites around Overton and Laverstoke supports this.
There is limited parking around either of the two churches in Freefolk and the public footpaths are well marked from either passing close to the river itself and sticking to the valley floor.
Freefolk + P Whitchurch + st R. Te To 1 Overton 3 Mill 2 Clapper Mill 4 Copse 5
Coombedown hangar FREEFOLK & 1 Km THE RIVER TEST
25 The river itself holds some waterfowl species and grey wagtail are common. The riverside pools hold diving duck, Little Grebe and good numbers of Gadwall. Farmland holds Yellowhammer and Linnet and undoubtedly the good population of Red-legged Partridge is augmented by local release for shoots.
The area around Whitchurch is marked by many small cress beds. These areas & have fallen into disrepair and can hold Green Sandpiper, Water Rail and Grey Wagtail in good numbers. The whole area is good for flocks of the winter thrushes particularly the grasslands below the hangars and along the Bere Mill on the Test – one of the few places the woodland edge. Red Kite have river can be viewed. become plentiful in this area and this has been a good one for Barn Owl, yet there appears to be few recent records.
26 WOODLAND
W1 Pamber Forest Map 7 Timing: Any time, early morning best Season: late spring & early summer Access: public footpaths Habitat: Ancient woodland
The largest area of ancient woodland in the borough. The whole area is a Local Nature Reserve managed by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust and it is best known for its Lepidoptera particularly Purple Emperor, Purple Hairstreak and White Admiral. There is a network of paths through the woods
Silchester
3
Tadley
2 4 Pamber Forest
5 P 1
1Km
To To PAMBER FOREST Basingstoke Little London
Bird wise the area is best in late spring early summer where the whole range of woodland species are present including all five Tit species although as ever Willow is the most elusive. Woodpeckers are also a feature of the woodland, early spring visits may bring a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker into view although it is more than likely to be a Greater Spotted that is seen.
There are three access points and parking is easiest at Impstone Road at Pamber Heath, However the wood is not good at this point. It is also secure on the road between Little London and Silchester by the water treatment plant, where there is a lay-by that can take a couple of cars.
Any of the paths can be followed and there is no single prescribed route. The best idea is simply to follow the paths and rides in a circular route.
27 W2 Preston Oak Hill Wood Map 8 Timing: Any time, early morning Season: Spring Access: public footpaths & tracks Habitat: Ancient woodland
Preston Oak Hill Wood is an area of ancient woodland on the chalk south of Ellisfield. In some respects this is typical of the type of the woodland dotted across the borough, but as such it is special. As with most woodland it is not pure ancient wood and there are areas of planting with confers, however the maturity of the oaks and the areas of hazel coppice make this an important example of this endangered habitat.
To Berrydown Axford Farm
To Dummer 1 3 2 Preston 4 Moundsmere Oak Hill Manor Bradley Hill
Southwood 1 Km Farm
Preston Oak Hill Wood
As with most woodland, it requires patience to find the key species and this is easiest in the spring in that narrow time frame during April between the arrival of the migrants and the canopy closing over with the newly emergent leaves. It is a five Tit woodland with Marsh and Willow Tit existing together. Three species of Woodpecker are also present and the appearance of Lesser Spotted is a red letter day even here.
Although it can be a matter of drifting through the wood a circular route can be followed and the species can be found almost anywhere along this circuit. From the layby, the path heads uphill through mature Oaks with their typical understorey of Hazel. As the hill levels out, Beech and other species give a more mixed feel. The path reaches a tee-junction at some borrow pits at . Turning right takes you along the main ride through the wood. Any side track can be taken to explore the top part of the wood around . Returning to the main ride enables you to retrace your path back to the layby simply by turning downhill off the main ride when you arrive at the edge of the spruce plantation and then turning right on the diagonal track when the conifers end on your left.
28 THE DOWNS
D1 Ashley Warren Map 9
Timing: Any time Season: Winter Access: footpath from top of Watership Down Habitat: Farmland & Downs
The area described here covers the areas from the chalk escarpment centred around Ashley Warren Farm from Ladle Hill to Great Litchfield Down. In some respects, it is similar to much of the down land around Basingstoke, but this has the advantage of reasonable access and a land owner that is practicing sympathetic agriculture to the benefit of all wildlife. It is a feature of this area that much effort is spent in improving the shooting of primarily Pheasant and Partridge, but also of Hare.
The northern edge is familiar to many as it is the real location of Watership Down, although perhaps surprisingly rabbits are not particularly numerous here.
Sydmonton To Kingsclere
Ladle Hill Watership Down 3 2 P 1
6
Great 4 Litchfield Ashley Warren Down 5 Farm To Whitchurch ASHLEY WARREN
Parking at the crest of Watership Down , the Wayfarers Walk path cross the road and it can be followed westward all a beech line. The open aspect offers Lapwing and raptors as you look towards Litchfield Down. This initial part of the part follows the scarp edge and the fields hold concentrations of winter thrushes . Northward the land falls quickly away and the ridge-line is used by raptors and Red Kite should be almost permanently in view. An eye should be kept open for Ravens that have become regular further west but regularly drift into the area.
Passing through a gate, the main path leaves to the west and the route continues along the hedge line . The combination of game cover strips and the mature beech trees means that in winter this can be a good location for Brambling and other finches
29 The route crosses an arable field and this area gives good views to both East and West. Although Red Kite and Buzzard are the commonest raptors, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl can be found in winter. Skylark are present throughout the year and flock of over 100 birds have been seen in winter.
The path arrives at abandoned farm buildings at . The large area of cover strip holds mixed bunting and finch flocks in winter. These have included Reed and Corn Buntings. The pylons in front of you are often used a perches by Peregrines. The route follows the rough track down the hill to the road. Towards the road the area of rough ground is usually home to a pair of Stonechat and in the winter of 2003/4 a Great Grey Shrike took up residence.
The route back to the car is along the road, through the farm and back up the hill. The area to the north of the farm is open and Barn Owl is regular here. It is also the best Ashley Warren: a mix of down land grass and section to look for migrants arable farmland – the view west across the particularly Wheatear and even downs to Ladle Hill Stone-curlew.
D2 Hannington Map 10 Timing: Any time Season: All year Access: footpath from Hannington Recreation field Habitat: Farmland, Downs & Woodland
In some respects there is nothing special about Hannington. It is a charming down land community with centred around a church and a green and with a quality hostelry. The whole point of this area is that it gives access to an area of chalk farmland of mixed arable and grazing mixed in with copses and other small woodland. It is the mix of habitats that make any area of value and the easy access from the main Kingsclere road brings it to the attention of being special of its type.
Parking at the recreation ground outside of the village, the public footpath head out across arable fields on the crest of the down. The open habitat is good for Skylark, Linnet and Yellowhammer, and the views this offers can include soaring raptors, particularly Buzzard, but also Hobby and Red Kite are possible.
30 To Kingsclere
1 Gaston Hannington P Wood 2 Ibw orth Lane 3 Buckland’s To Pightle Copse Ibworth 6
Warren Bottom 4 1 Km Copse 5
Hay Lockley HANNINGTON Wood Copse
The area around Gaston Wood, attracts large flocks of pigeon (both Wood and Stock) and Corvids in winter. The fields further on , if ploughed often hold large flocks of Gulls. Mainly, these are Lesser Black-backed, but Common, Herring, Black-headed can be found and other species should be looked for.
On reaching the road, the route follows it downhill. The road edges are covered in Cowslip in early summer and Red legged Partridge are often seen here. At , an old drovers road cuts across the arable field and this seems to attract buntings and finches in winter and the fields are used by winter Merlins.
Hay Wood, and particularly Warren Bottom Copse, are mature Oak woods Bluebells under coppiced hazel with Hazel coppice under storey. in Warren Bottom Copse
These attract all the Tit species and the section just in from road at , is renown as a location for Willow Tit, probably found here more easily than anywhere else in the borough, perhaps it is even the best location in Hampshire. The path continues up the hill back to the village. Game strips mean that finches and buntings are common in winter.
31 THE HEATHS
The remaining areas of heath in the borough form part of the continuation of the Thames Basin complex and therefore are right on the edge of the Thames Basin Special Protection Area. As everywhere this lowland heath habitat is under considerable pressure and the subject to much disturbance and the threat of summer arson.
H1 Tadley Common Map 11 Timing: Any time, early morning best Season: spring & early summer Access: public footpaths Habitat: Lowland heath
Together Tadley Common and Silchester Common form a remnant patch of lowland heath and are significant in a national sense. They are the last vestiges of a great swath of heathland that has been built-on, overplanted with conifers or dug up for gravel extraction.
The two heaths should really be considered as one area, separated by the now inappropriately named (in this context) urban area of Pamber Heath. They are also so small that although listed separately they are readily visited in tandem and a couple of hours will easily show a cross section of the species present. However to see all the specialist species here will probably take a little longer.
The parking area is on the eastern edge of Tadley Common and from here the common opens up after you pass through the row of birch trees on a track that forms the main east- west ride across the heath. There are a number of wide rides and leading off these numerous smaller paths and a circular route is relatively easy to pick out.
1 Km
P 1 4 Tadley Common P 2 Silchester Pamber Common Tadley Heath Court 3 Lord’s Wood Silchester
Tadley Heath Upper Inhams Copse Copse
TADLEY & SILCHESTER COMMONS
32 In general terms the northern half of the common is heather dominated whilst the southern half is dominated with gorse. This has a tendency to change over time as arson is a common problem and this has cleared some gorse areas.
The heather dominated areas are good for pipits, including Tree in some years and for wintering Dartford Warbler. Stonechat and Linnet are found in either habitats. If recent burning has occurred, Woodlark will move onto the site.
H2 Silchester Common Map 11 Timing: Any time, early morning best Season: spring & early summer Access: public footpaths & tracks Habitat: Lowland Heath
Once continuous with Tadley Common and with direct access into the northern edge of Pamber Forest, Silchester Common is the largest area of lowland heath left in the borough. The size of the heath prevents the level of disturbance suffered at Tadley and it doesn’t appear to attract the same level of arson. It remains the last stronghold of heathland specialists, particularly Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Nightjar.
It can be very quiet out of season and winter visitors will be left with the impression of a birdless waste, unless they happen upon a flock of Siskin (which breed in the area) or Redpoll.
Parking is possible opposite the garage on the B- road between Tadley and Silchester, or further on by the Chapel . From here access is straightforward on to an area of cleared and regenerating heathland. Heading west the path opens onto a wider ride and goes through a belt of Birches, before arriving at a gorse lined gulley where Dartford Warbler are generally found.
Although any of the tracks can be followed, a footpath heading south into Lord’s Wood can add Willow Warbler and other woodland species before heading back out on to the heath. This area had been the favourite of Tree Pipit and is a good place to wait for Nightjar at dusk. From here it is an easy return to the Car Park.
The area of the forest on the edge of the heath can be worth a few minutes inspection with woodpeckers and tit flocks being the most prevalent. Siskin certainly breed in the area, although Redpoll appear to have deserted this former stronghold.
33 SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES
The following forms a comprehensive record of the species recorded in Basingstoke and Deane since 1950. Some historic annotations are included where known and where it is believed that they add context. Thanks must go to the local birders, natural history groups and particularly the Hampshire Ornithological Society and its records which have provided a rich source of data for this period.
The species list follows the order and naming adopted by the International Ornithological Congress. As from Jan 1st 2018 the British Ornithological Union has stated they will adopt it, and therefore reflects the recent changes in taxonomy driven by DNA research.
Status
Each species has been given a reference to give an idea of its timing of occurrence and its relative abundance in the borough is indicated by capitalisation or lower case.
RB/rb = Resident breeder SM/sm = Summer migrant WV/wv = Winter visitor PM/pm = Passage Migrant V = Vagrant
For each species the appearance through the year is shown on a bar chart. Each month is divided into three date slices and the shading in each section gives an indication of population with the lightest colour representing scarcity and the darkness indicating abundance. For example;
Teal Anas crecca WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A reasonably common winter visitor.
Teal is a shown as a relatively abundant winter visitor by the designation WV
By referring to the shaded bar, we can show that the local population fluctuates through the year. Although indicated as a winter visitor, it is scarce during the months May to August inclusive. Teal are abundant in September when the bulk of the migrant birds arrive. Some move through and there is a dip in the early winter population. A second peak arrives in January often driven by a spell of cold weather. The main wintering population stays until the end of March with birds leaving the borough by the end of April.
Each species account can be read in a similar fashion.
34 Geese & Swans
Nearly all of the geese and swans in the borough originate from feral stock. Truly wild birds are rare and their occurrence is limited to the hardest of winters either here or on the near continent.
It is of conjecture to suggest that these rare incursions are associated with overland migrants short-cutting from the Wash to the Solent or by coastal birds moving inland.
The local feral populations appear to be in terminal decline. It is unclear as to the reason and however in the case of Snow and Bar-headed Geese their historic numbers were probably only a reflection of continuing releases. In the case of Canada Geese the active culling has been the reaction to them reaching pest status.
Brent Goose Branta bernicula V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A rare passage migrant with two borough records.
A flock of 30 were seen flying West over Tunworth on Oct 29th 1986. Additionally there is an anecdotal report of a single bird was seen passing N over Ashley Warren.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident and partial migrant.
Although an introduced species, the Canada Goose is the most common goose in the borough. The population is fully naturalised and have become a pest in some areas. Most records are from the Test Valley and the Loddon and predominate in the winter period when flocks of over two hundred birds can be found.
The peak borough count relates to 2450 birds at Stratfield Saye in Sep 1983. These numbers are definitely a thing of the past and no count since the new millennium has come close to repeating this. This is in part due to the culling measures being taken on some of the estates in the borough. Both shooting and disturbance has led to smaller flock sizes.
Canada Geese move onto small ponds and lakes to breed and they can prove to be very territorial at this time of year, driving off anything that enters their zone including dogs and people. There has been no attempt to census the breeding numbers but they are not uncommon.
Historically the River Test at Lower Ashe, St Mary Bourne and the Loddon at Stratfield Saye and The Vyne have held the largest flocks, yet at the latter site they have become more infrequent in recent years. It is clear that the borough flocks do leave the area to undertake their annual moult and can become decidedly scarce in June/July. Where they go is a matter of conjecture, but there are peak counts at the Lower Test Marshes and on the River Blackwater at Eversley Gravel Pits and these may be the destination of many local birds. The
35 only proven movement is of a bird that was ringed at Wallingford, Oxfordshire and seen at The Vyne in Dec 2004.
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis rb(feral)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident (feral population) and perhaps a vagrant winter visitor (wild populations).
With Stratfield Saye Park holding a feral population of breeding Barnacle Geese all borough records are assumed to be related to these birds moving around. Certainly all records come from the upper Test and Loddon catchments and would represent local movements of these birds. The numbers appeared to have peaked in the late 1990s with a peak of 175 being recorded on Aug 30th 1998 and three figure counts being received up to 2000.
The population appear to have been declining since then and this is reflected in the breeding pairs at Stratfield Saye with a peak of 24 nests in 1998, 7 were reported in 2002, but none were found in 2003 or since.
Truly wild Barnacle Geese are very rare and due to the feral population very difficult to distinguish. There are no records that are believed to relate to wild birds.
Bar headed Goose Anser indicus rb(feral)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A former feral resident.
Bar-headed Goose is a scarce but regular addition to many of the Canada Goose flocks in the borough. Although formally widespread from the Test through to the Loddon, nowhere did it reach high numbers and the maximum of eight have been found together at Stratfield Saye. Breeding did occur and the population was, at least for a time, self-sustaining.
Snow Goose Anser caerulsecens rb(feral)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A former feral resident.
During the eighties and nineties, a feral population of Snow Geese was present in the Stratfield Saye area and further east in the county. The peak count at the site was 35 on both Feb 21st 1993 and Dec 29th 1996. These birds were fairly mobile and they accounted for occasional records elsewhere, such as Black Dam.
Breeding occurred annually and at least 2 pairs were noted in 1994-1999 at Stratfield Saye alone. Since then there appears to have been a decline in numbers and it appears the last pair bred in 2003. This decline was in common with North West Hampshire as a whole it appears that the species has died out.
36
Greylag Goose Anser anser rb(feral?)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common and increasing resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
Although it is likely that there have been few if any records of wild birds, the Greylag is a regular sight across the borough often in association with Canada Goose but not exclusively so. It was unknown prior to the 1960s and it is believe that the feral population grew from an influx of birds from elsewhere in the south. This appears to be supported by the colour ringed birds being trapped in Sevenoaks, Kent.
At most sites numbers are low but they can build at Stratfield Saye and Hurstbourne Tarrant, the two sites which are almost guaranteed to hold birds year round. The former site holds the borough record with 333 birds being there on Jan 12th 1997 although a figure of about half that is the usual annual maximum.
Breeding is limited to a few pairs with up to six being counted at Stratfield Saye, two at Ewhurst and the odd pair or young being seen at other sites across the borough including The Vyne.
Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabilis V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with a one record
Bean Goose has a long history of both species being only considered subspecies and therefore historic records are not necessarily clear to which of now two species they belong to. The only borough record, a bird at Stratfield Saye with Greylags from Feb 8th to Mar 2nd 1986, and was identified as fabilis.
Pink footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus V JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with four known records
37
During the severe winter of 1963, 3 birds were seen at Sherfield on Loddon during February.
A single bird of unknown original was seen at Stratfield Saye on the Oct 30th 1994. This bird is known to have stayed in the area until at least Dec 28th 1994.
A single bird of unknown original was at Ewhurst from Feb 10th to Mar 19th 2002 and what was assumed to be the same bird was seen again on May 9th.
Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with a one record
A lone bird was at Stratfield Saye Jan 2nd to Mar 13th 1983 and it is assumed that this was a bird of the rossicus race.
White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with two records.
The first borough record relates to a single bird of unknown origin at Stratfield Saye on Feb 8th 1997.
The second borough record, a most likely of wild origin, relates to a party of 5 birds at Ashe from Dec 12 – 14th 2001. This party was mobile at the time at it is assumed that the record of 4 birds at Overton relates to the same birds.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor RB JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident.
A familiar species, especially around ornamental lakes in and around Basingstoke. On individual waters and stretches of the Loddon and Test pairs can be found in the spring and summer and there is very little evidence in a change in status of the breeding population.
It is clear that the birds are supplemented in autumn and winter by birds from elsewhere and then at the larger lakes flocks can form. Typical of this is the 48 at Stratfield Saye on Dec 28th 2000 and 26 at Ashe Park Lake on Jan 16th 2002. It is still unclear where these birds come from although the Thames population is the most likely.
38 Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with one record
Two birds were seen flying South-east over Conkers Garden Centre, Hatch on Nov 20th 1993.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus V JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with one record
The only borough report relates to a family group of 2 adults and 4 first-winters that were present for just ten minutes on a pond by Wyevale Garden Centre, Wildmoor, near Sherfield on Loddon on Oct 17th 2004. Although reported as this species by the observer, the Hampshire rarities committee has considered them as not distinguished from Bewick’s.
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus rb(feral) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce, but increasing, feral resident.
Although regularly reported just across the borough boundary at Wellington Country Park, it was very infrequent in Basingstoke & Deane. With that in mind it is unsurprising that the majority of records are from Stratfield Saye with records from Jan 3rd 1993 and Apr 25th 1993.
Elsewhere, records seem to be concentrated in the spring and the single at Bramley Camp on Apr 21st 1995 and one at Ashe Park Lake on Mar 18th 2000 are typical of local movements.
Since 2010, birds have become more frequent around the Vyne and Ewhurst. A pair has often hung around in spring at the Vyne and two or more pairs have appeared to defend potential nest sites - however there is no evidence that they actually nested. The borough record count is 12 at Ewhurst on Sep 13th 2015.
Shelducks & Ducks
Although the borough is blessed with two river systems in the Loddon and the Test, both are close to their source and neither have large lakes on them. In consequence both the range of species that can regularly be seen and the numbers of individuals is somewhat limited. Most of the two species of Shelduck and seventeen of Duck are recorded only as scarce visitors.
This is particularly the case with diving duck where there are no water bodies that can be guaranteed to be unfrozen during frosty weather and none that are large and deep enough to
39 attract large flocks of diving duck. The key sites are therefore the ornamental lakes and pools that dot the valleys and are most usually associated with the large country estates e.g. Laverstock, Ewhurst, The Vyne and Stratfield Saye.
That being said reasonable numbers of dabbling duck can be found and the most common species in the winter months are Mallard, Teal and Wigeon. A few Shoveler can usually be seen. Of the breeding species, Shelduck, Mallard and Gadwall are reasonably regular breeders. We also have a resident population of Mandarin that breed in the woods close to the Test and the Loddon.
Of the diving duck only the Tufted Duck stays to breed. The remaining species are winter visitors to the borough and the majority are irregular in their occurrence.
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna pm/sm JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage visitor that may breed.
Small numbers are seen annually in the borough, mainly in the spring although it has been recorded in every month except December and January. Records have been received from the Test and Loddon valleys and typically from well watch sites of The Vyne, Ewhurst, Ashe, Bartons Mill and Stratfield Saye.
Birds are present throughout the breeding season but to date breeding have been only proven to breed at Stratfield Saye were a maximum of 2 pairs have bred, although in most years it is only a single pair. It is possible that breeding occurs elsewhere but typically for Shelduck it may be remote from water and away from their familiar locations.
The peak local count refers to 15 birds at the Vyne watermeadow on May 14th 2004.
Anecdotally, it appears that local records have declined substantially since 2010.
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant visitor with a five records
All English records are suspected of being either escapees or short distance migrants from feral flocks in the Low Countries. The sighting of two bird seen at Stratfield Saye on Jan 3rd and then again Sep 19th 1993 must be labelled of unknown origin. It is assumed it was this pair that returned on Sep 11th 1994 and a further female was seen on Aug 30th 1998.
More recently, a female was at The Vyne from Sep 2nd - Oct 1st 2006 in the company of the Canada Goose flock. This bird had previously been seen at Theale in Berkshire and no doubt followed the geese to the site.
40 Mandarin Aix galericulata rb JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce or moderately common and increasing resident.
The Mandarin is a regular sight in the wooded river valleys around Basingstoke. They are most often seen in the spring when pairs prospect for nest sites. Although they naturally breed in holes in mature trees, pairs have been seen inspecting chimney pots in Basingstoke estates.
At other times of the year they become rather difficult to find, and there is no real understanding of the scale of the local population. Breeding certainly occurs over a wide area yet young have only been seen at Testbourne and at Ashe Park Lake. The peak local count relates to 121 at Stratfield Saye in Feb 2017 and this local concentration may go some way to explain how scarce they are elsewhere in the borough during the winter months.
Gadwall Anas strepera rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common winter visitor and regular breeder.
Gadwall is a resident species in the borough, but one that is difficult to assess population as it appears to fluctuate in occurrence and numbers around the known sites. The local population is centred in the Test valley and in the Loddon and it is a familiar species at Overton Lagoons, Ashe Park Lakes, Stratfield Saye and The Vyne.
Numbers at each site are highly variable and there is much interchange between the sites. Generally peak counts are in the winter months and any of the main sites could hold in excess of 100 birds. The borough record appears to be 140 at Stratfield Saye on Dec 27th 2001.
Breeding has been confirmed at Stratfield Saye, Ashe Park Lake, Overton Lagoons and The Vyne. Breeding numbers are generally low and variable from year to year. Maximum pairs at Stratfield Saye have been 10. Elsewhere two pairs have nested at Ashe Park Lake and at Overton a peak of four pairs in 2002. At the Vyne the first recorded breeding was in 2012, where a single pair raised six young.
Due to the lack of site fidelity there have been records of birds at nearly every body of water across the borough including a peak of 11 at Black Dam and a maximum of five at Barton’s Mill.
41 Wigeon Anas penelope WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant;
Wigeon need good grazing as well as water as ideal habitat. This preference is in short supply in the borough unless the Loddon floods. In consequence, flocks are transitory and relatively small.
Historically, Stratfield Saye was the best site in the borough and in the mid–nineties flocks of over a hundred birds were recorded in January of each year. Since the new millennium numbers have fallen off substantially.
Now, It is only at the Vyne watermeadow that Wigeon can be almost guaranteed from October to March each year and the numbers have tended to peak in the early new year with a maximum count of 101 in Jan 2004, a count that was almost matched in 2016/2017. It is a matter of conjecture of whether this rise in population is simply a displacement from Stratfield Saye.
Other records are from other water bodies across the borough during the winter and can be found at Bartons Mill, Overton, and Ashe.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident and winter visitor.
The Mallard is the most common duck across the borough and there is hardly a stretch of river or a lake without a least a pair of birds. Because of it ubiquitous nature it is under- recorded and only the regular counts at main watched sites give an understanding of the overall population. The population is further bolstered with releases for shooting at several sites.
Certainly there is much movement between sites and such a mobile population is difficult to keep tracks on. Peak counts are invariably in the depth of winter from December through to February where and any area that is flooded will rapidly attract three figure counts. As with most ducks the key sites are St Mary Bourne, Overton Lagoons, Laverstock, The Vyne and Stratfield Saye.
The peak recent count relates to 318 at Stratfield Saye on Nov 8th 1998. This compares with counts from the same site exceeding 1000 birds in 16 out of 22 autumns from 1959-1980 and the highest count being 1800 in September 1979.
Breeding occurs across the borough in low numbers. Many pairs show strong site fidelity returning to breed year on year. Many sites have pairs that double brood and therefore numbers post breeding show a second, if somewhat lesser peak.
42 Shoveler Anas clypeata wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant;
The Shoveler is a regular winter visitor to the small lakes and ponds typically holding other dabbling duck. The peak numbers at any site are usually much lower and the rarely reach double figures at a single site. That being said small parties are regular across the borough from September through to early April each year, rarely returning as early as July.
The peak count was 34 at the Vyne watermeadows on Mar 12th 2017.
Pintail Anas acuta wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor.
There are few records in the borough mainly referring to short staying birds in the depths of winter. There was a single bird at Stratfield Saye on Jan 10th and Feb 1999. A further two females were seen at the same site on Jan 28th 2001.
Elsewhere, a single male reported at Ashe Park Lake on Apr 1st 1995 and also a single at Bartons Mill
At the Vyne, they are becoming more frequent with 3 together at The Vyne watermeadow in mid-January 2002, 3 in December 2008 and a female that spent almost two weeks on the Watermeadow in April 2012. Additionally a male spent the late winter in Eastrop Park in early 2012 despite this being a highly disturbed urban area.
Ewhurst Lake has also attracted a number of birds, including long staying males; from Dec 30th 2014 being seen into Mar 2015, and another there from Nov 6th 2016 that stayed until Feb 2017,
Garganey Anas querquedula pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant
There is no evidence that the Garganey has bred in the borough. This species, our only summer migrant duck, is scarce across the whole of Southern England and especially so
43 here. The spring plumaged male is unmistakable but the females and eclipse plumaged autumn birds are real birder’s birds and spotting one amongst a flock of the much commoner Teal is a real red-letter day.
There have been a few spring records, including one at Bartons Mill and a pair at Lower Ashe Farm for most of May 2013 and also a single eclipse male at The Vyne on Aug 29th 2001.
Teal Anas crecca WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A reasonably common winter visitor.
There is no proof that Teal breed annually in the borough although breeding was proven during the tetrad atlas survey of the late eighties in the Test valley and elsewhere juveniles have been found in July that suggest that if not then the nesting was close by. It is, however, a widespread winter visitor and a number of the riverine sites hold peak numbers during September, as migrants arrive and then in December/January.
Large counts are received from a number of sites, and in common with other species this means Stratfield Saye, The Vyne and Overton. Three figure counts are only regular at The Vyne, however if water levels are right it appears that numbers will build rapidly as indicated by the counts of 300 at Stratfield Saye on Nov 8th 1998 and 256 there on Jan 27th 2001. Historically the peak borough count is 524 at Stratfield Saye in December 1966.
Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with a two records.
Formally considered to be the nearctic subspecies of the Teal, it was accepted as a valid species in 1999. Only the male in breeding plumage is safely separable from Teal. There have been a two records of such a male, firstly at Stratfield Saye on Mar 14-17th 1982 and also one at Millfield Old Basing on Oct 6th 2014.
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce feral winter visitor, or escape.
A single record of an immature at Black Dam on Jun 27th 1998. As there is a feral breeding population in the Cotswold Water Parks in Wiltshire, it is perhaps most likely that this bird originated from there.
44 They are commonly held in captivity and the records of a male and a leucistic female at Sherborne St John through 2001/2002 are obviously of captive source.
Pochard Aythya farina rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common but decreasing winter visitor.
Deep water lakes are very scarce and as such all diving duck are relatively infrequent and seen in generally small numbers on the larger estate lakes particularly Stratfield Saye and Ewhurst. Nearly all of these records are in the period of October to March and peaking in January/February. As with the other diving duck, influxes are noted in hard winters. The peak recent count relates to 72 at Stratfield Saye on Jan 3rd 1997. This compares with the peak borough count at the same site of 126 in January 1985.
There is a single record of breeding relating to a pair with two young at Ewhurst Lake on May 31st 1994.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula rb /WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce breeding species and common in winter.
Although requiring similar habitat to Pochard, Tufted Duck is somewhat commoner in the borough and seems to be more tolerant of the disturbance that is inevitable at the smaller lakes. Flocks form regularly from October to March at the larger lakes and pairs are seen in the smaller ponds in local authority parks. These are often in excess of twenty birds and at more favourable sites such as Stratfield Saye and Overton Lagoons they are regularly in excess of fifty birds.
The peak recent count relates to 78 at Stratfield Saye on Mar 13th 1994. This compares with the peak borough count at the same site of 125 in February 1986.
A few of these birds stay to breed each year although the local population is only in the range of 10-20 pairs. Many lakes hold a single breeding pair however Overton Lagoons, Ashe Park Lake, Testbourne, Stratfield Saye and the Vyne are the only sites that each have multiple pairs each year.
45 Scaup Aythya marila V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with two records and another returning bird
A male was at Stratfield Saye on Mar 16th 1982. Another male was at Ewhurst on Feb 23rd 2013 which was assumed to be the bird wintering at Woolhampton just across the Berkshire border.
A female of unknown original has been a regular winter visitor to the mill pond at Southington Lane, Overton from 2002 for 5 years. It was fully winged and has moved to adjacent sites such as Overton Lagoons on some occasions and generally consorted with Tufted Duck. It seems to leave the borough in the spring and summer and therefore is assumed to have normalised her movements to match the migrations of the local Tufted Duck.
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor with two records
The two borough record relates to a female at Overton Lagoons from Dec 24th 2000 to Jan 1st 2001 and then a further female at The Vyne on Nov 27th 2001.
Smew Mergus albellus wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor with three records
Smew is an uncommon winter visitor in Hampshire as a whole although a few winter in the gravel pits around Reading. It is therefore not surprising that there have been only two records in the borough and both were associated with hard winters.
A single first winter male was at Black Dam on Dec 31st 2003 and another was at Stratfield Saye on Jan 30th 1986. Lastly, two first winter birds were at the Vyne from Feb 5th – Feb 12th 2012.
Goosander Mergus merganser wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor
46 Goosander is a relatively scarce winter visitor in Hampshire, and a species that shows strong site fidelity. With two flocks regularly reported just outside of the borough, at Wellington County Park and Tundry Pond, it is perhaps not unusual that occasionally birds are seen either overflying or on the boroughs lakes.
Displacement of this flock probably accounts for the 21 seen at Stratfield Saye on Feb 6th 1999, the peak local count.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis rb?/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A former scarce resident and winter visitor.
Another naturalised American species and one that has a relatively short history in the borough, and with a cull being practiced across the country, one that appears to have now disappeared from the local avifauna.
It was reliant upon large water bodies and most were seen on the ornamental estate lakes typically Laverstoke, Overton, and The Vyne. Although displaying birds had been seen, the only evidence of breeding locally relates to two broods at Laverstoke in 2002.
Gamebirds
The area around Basingstoke is regularly shot over and the majority of woodlands, copses and non-agricultural areas have game rearing pens for both Pheasant and Partridges. The status of all species, with the exception of Quail, are therefore clouded by the annual releases of thousands of birds for the shoot.
The vast majority of these releases are of just two species, Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant, however it is believed that the odd records of most of the other ornamental species (see escapes) arrived in a similar manner.
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident; numbers are supplemented by releases.
Red-legged Partridge is a familiar bird of the downs around Basingstoke. The population is augmented by large scale releases and active management to provide shooting in the autumn. It is likely that without this positive management, the population would soon dwindle.
47 The largest coveys are seen in the areas around Kingsclere and Ashley Warren and congregations of 50-60 birds are sometimes found and a massive 225 were reported as recently released at Tidgrove Warren on Nov 2nd 1997. However all of this can be put in context as release numbers can be very high and short lived. Of the reported 2700 released at Stratfield Saye in the summer of 1999 only 6 could be found by December of the same year.
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce and declining resident.
The open downs to the north of Basingstoke has traditionally been the stronghold of the species. It is clear that the change in agricultural practices has led to a local decline that matches the situation across the county and country as a whole.
As with all gamebirds, it is unknown how many of the records relate to recent releases for shoots and how many relate to self-sustaining populations. Historically it was not uncommon to see coveys of up to 50 birds, but after recent declines it is rare to see more than ten birds together. The highest recent count relates to a covey of 21 birds North of Overton on Sept 15th 2002.
The best areas to seek this species are the downs to the north of the borough and particularly between Basingstoke and Kingsclere.
Quail Coturnix coturnix sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce and erratic summer visitor.
The numbers of Quail vary from year to year and in the case of the Downs around Basingstoke it is not recorded each summer. In good years, it is clear that they do move into the borough in small numbers but as the only contact is with calling males it is not known if they stay to breed. The majority of records have been received from south of Basingstoke in a swathe of suitable habitat between Five Lanes End and Preston Candover, an area that is notably under-watched. More recently records have also been from Hannington and Ashley Warren showing that suitable farming practices are helping.
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, the feral population being supplemented by releases.
Much of the countryside in the borough is shot over during the autumn and winter and Pheasant is the most common quarry species. Whether the population would be self-
48 sustaining without the continuous introduction programme is a moot point, but the Pheasant remains a very common bird across the borough. A number of birds show the characteristics of Green Pheasant (P. japonicus) although the likelihood is that these are hybrids rather than pure bred birds.
With so many birds around it not surprising that records are also received from gardens and the urban edge, particularly of birds visiting established feeding stations during the winter. Some of these birds can be particularly tame.
Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus rb(feral)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce introduced resident.
A skulking pheasant of dense evergreen woodland and one that is rarely seen, even if a population is established. There are no local self-sustaining populations, the nearest being Exbury or Kingley Vale and it is assumed that the occasional record relates to escapes or mistaken releases.
Petrels & Shearwaters
As an inland area with no large reservoirs it is surprising to most people that there are any records at all of these maritime species. There is a long history of storm driven birds being found far inland particularly associated with major river valleys. There is also the presumed short cut route between the North Sea and the Western approaches that runs from the Wash to the Solent that it is postulated that some species take on migrating southwards and perhaps this also accounts for the occasional record.
Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Vagrant autumn migrant;
The two borough records relate to storm driven birds in the Test valley. One was reported at Whitchurch on Sept 9th 1986 and a further bird was picked up dead at Paper Mill Farm, Testbourne the morning after overnight storms on the morning of Oct 29th 1996.
Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with two records.
49 A single was reported flying east over Lychpit May 30th 1993 and another lone bird was seen flying Southwest along the A33 at Chineham in a snow storm on Mar 1st 2001.
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
Two records exist, both relating to storm-driven birds found in a state of distress, and in both cases the birds died after being taken into care.
A single was recovered from being caught in fence on the Basingstoke Ring Road on Sept 11th 1980. A second was found at Popley playing fields on Sep 24th 2004
Grebes
Neither of the two species of the grebe on the borough list is particularly plentiful and in common with all water birds this is due to the lack of suitable habitat. Little Grebe is by far the commoner of the two and they seem to be more tolerant of disturbance and therefore able to adapt to slow moving rivers and smaller ponds.
Great Crested Grebe is dependent upon the larger lakes in the borough. They have bred, but only at Stratfield Saye, Ewhurst and Highclere Park despite recent attempts at The Vyne.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Little Grebe is reliant upon slow moving waterways and lakes to breed. This species is relatively scarce although breeding has been proven at Hatch, Polhampton, Testbourne, Ashe Park Lake, Stratfield Saye, Overton Lagoons, Sherfield Oaks golf course and The Vyne.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus rb/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Great Crested Grebe needs even larger bodies of water than the Little Grebe and therefore remains a very scarce species in the borough.
Breeding historically has been proven at Stratfield Saye where the available habitat has offered territories for up to two pairs (1987 & 1998/99) although a single pair is more normal. At Highclere Lakes, where each of Dunsmere and Milford Lake held a pair during the mid-
50 1990s. At Ewhurst Lake a pair bred from the 1996 until 2001, but no breeding was reported in 2002 although the pair returned in 2003. From 2004 onwards a pair has attempted to breed on the main lake of the Vyne. This site has had varying successes from dual broods in good years to no young fledged in others. The move to earlier opening and clearing the lake banks has, however, appeared to have moved the birds on.
The birds do not always stay for the winter on the same lake.
Storks, Ibis & Herons
Although seven species have been recorded in the borough, there is little evidence of regular breeding even of the commonest, the Grey Heron. It is fair to say that on a normal visit this species is likely to be the only one encountered as single birds can be found year round in the river valleys. The Little Egret is a new addition to the borough. Its arrival has coincided with the massive growth of the population since the early 1990s, and it is only in the last couple of years that its appearance can be regarded as regular. With the continued growth in the county population it now looks to be a permanent feature of the local avifauna.
The lack of large reed-beds means that the Bittern is not normally attracted to the borough. Records relate to cold snaps either here, or particularly on the continent, when birds appear to tolerate more marginal habitat.
The remaining five species are all vagrants and records relate to short staying individuals.
Black Stork Ciconia nigra V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with three records
One was seen at Plastow Green, Kingsclere on June 9th 1985. An adult circled over Tadley common between 1450-1500 hrs and then left to the Southwest on Apr 15th 1995.
Most recently, one flew east over Whitchurch at 1700 hrs on May 17th 2001.
White Stork Ciconia ciconia V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant.
51 A single record of one over East Oakley on May 31st 1993
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant.
A single record of three birds over the Loddon valley heading from Blacklands Farm to the Millfield before heading north on Sep 18th 2016. This record is no doubt the product of the explosion in the number of birds roaming the country in the last decade.
Bittern Botaurus stellaris wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce but regular winter visitor.
A bird of reedbeds, the Bittern is a scarce winter visitor from the continent. Due to its retiring habits it is not often recorded, but in hard winters it can be driven out into the open and be quite confiding.
Records have been received from reed habitat during hard weather and include a single Old Basing Dec 21st Dec 1995 until Feb 2nd 1996, another at Overton Lagoons on Jan 11th 2002, one at Upton from Feb 16th until Mar 2nd 2003, one at Bartons Mill Dec 23rd 2009 that stayed until Jan 19th 2010 at least, and one at Laverstoke Park on Feb 11th 2010.
A further record of one in flight in Chineham in Feb 2005 has not been substantiated.
Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with one record
A single bird, assumed to be this species, was flushed at Bartons Mill between Mar 6th - Mar 14th 2003. This record has not been accepted by HOS or BBRC
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
It is widely observed but a local, colonial breeder and there is little evidence of established heronries in the borough. There has been reported breeding at Southington Lane in 2001
52 and Round Copse (up to 3 pairs) in 1993-95. This being said, post breeding dispersal has brought family parties into the area and this suggest that breeding still occurs close by. Most records are of single birds although a river valleys and larger lakes can hold a handful of birds. Large counts are relatively rare although a party of 38 were counted at Waters Meet on Jul 10th 1998, see below.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with two local records of the same bird.
One was seen in flight over Chineham, and the same was seen later that evening at Waters Meet on Jul 10th 1998, no doubt in part attracted by the large numbers of Grey Heron present.
Great Egret Ardea alba wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A potentially increasing winter visitor
Two records have been confirmed, but with an increasing influx and breeding in southern England perhaps one to set to increase. The first was one at Whitchurch on the Jan 21st-25th 2014. Another came to roost at the well watched Little Egret roost at Barton’s Mill on Jan 4th 2015, this after a briefly glimpsed bird thought to be this species was seen close by on Jan 1st.
One was at Whitchurch Silk Mill on Oct 24th 2015, and in 2016 one was seen to fly over Viables in Basingstoke heading for the Loddon Valley on Nov 27th. There are various sightings in the Loddon and further east during this 2016/17 winter period.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common passage migrant and winter visitor
Most records have been in the Test and Loddon Valley and particularly in winter. They are found in the river valleys and particularly cress beds, although they appear quite catholic in their needs with single birds turning up in local parks and flood balancing ponds.
The numbers have increased in recent years. In the winter of 2003/2004 a recognisable roost site was established on the Loddon at Barton’s Mill and this has been occupied in most years since. Birds seem to return to the area in late September leaving again in March with a peak count of up to 23 birds. In the ten years since this initial roost was found, birds appear to range more widely and often do not return to the same roost site. Other roosts have been
53 found in Greywell and along the Test and Loddon valleys, and birds can be found in all the river valleys during the winter.
Gannet & Cormorants
Being mainly a maritime group, it is not surprising that there are few records of these species with the exception of Great Cormorant itself. Shag and Gannet are wind-blown vagrants.
Cormorant has been increasing in the last few years, undoubtedly due to the increase in the sinensis form that is more associated with inland waters. The lack of large scale waters means that the numbers are still small and tend to be local and short term visitors from the complex of gravel pits around Reading.
Gannet Sula bassana V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
One record exists relating to storm-driven bird found in a state of distress in a field in Wotton St Lawrence and taken into care in April 2005.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Great Cormorant needs large fishing ponds/lakes and to that extent the shortage of these makes this species uncommon in the borough. As with most other waterbirds, there a predominance of records from the Loddon and Test valleys. Although most are assumed to be sinesis type, typical of the expansion to inland waters, it is perhaps a surprise that the only ringing recovery is of a nominate carbo bird, bred on the islands in the Bristol Channel.
The species is commonest to the North of borough, within easy commute of the Thames valley lakes and peak counts have traditionally come from Stratfield Saye. Here multiple sightings are common place in winter and the peak count was 35 on Dec 29th 1996.This species has increased elsewhere recently and up to three are now regular at The Vyne in winter, and at a number of sites along the Test and Loddon they have become regular.
It is much more common just over the county line on the Berkshire Gravel Pits. Odd soaring birds have been seen over almost any habitat in the Silchester/Tadley areas and are assumed to be from this population.
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor
54
Two records relate to one at Black Dam from Sep 23rd 1983 – Apr 1st 1984 that was recovered and returned to the coast at Hurst Beach and a most odd report of a bird that landed on a sixth floor office window sill in central Basingstoke on Jan 18th 1985.
Raptors
With the exception of the common three, i.e. Red Kite, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, raptors are generally scarce in the borough. It is believed that Montagu’s Harrier, and Goshawk breed, or have bred, in small numbers. The remaining species remain scarce visitors. There is also a record of a pair of Honey Buzzard being resident near Ashmansworth in the summer of 1949 and they may nested
The Downs are good raptor habitat and in many winters Hen Harriers do join the more regular species. There was a regular Harrier roost but that appears to have been deserted in recent years. The area around Ladle Hill and Great Litchfield Down is probably the best of such locations, and in the past this has been the hot spot for Rough-legged Buzzard. Yet nothing is guaranteed from year to year and certainly the Rough-legs haven’t been seen for many a year.
Migrant species moving through include the Osprey and Marsh Harrier have been seen moving down the river valleys and the odd Honey Buzzard that can be seen almost anywhere.
Of national rarities, the White-tailed Eagle is perhaps the most surprising and illustrates the adage that anything can turn up, and was the subject of what must be the biggest “twitch” in the borough. Black Kite also features, however they have not lingered.
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
With the resurrection of the British breeding population, the number of passage birds in the borough has shown a corresponding increase. The lack of large undisturbed fishing lakes, no birds have been known to linger but solely relate to passage birds following the River valleys.
In consequence the best riverine habitat has attracted the most records and these are concentrated in the Test Valley and the Loddon, particularly around Stratfield Saye Park. This being said odd fly-over birds can be found almost anywhere
Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
55 Most years at least one bird is seen in the borough, although typically this is a fleeting record seen by a single observer of a bird on passage at any time between early May and late August, rarely into from late April and to early October. The only exception to this was during the mass passage across southern England in late September 2000 when multiple sightings were made from Hatch Warren.
There appears to be no change in the frequency of observations and there is little habitat in the borough that could encourage one to linger. Therefore records are found where observers congregate rather than offering any insight into their occurrence.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident, passage migrant and probable winter visitor.
Following the near total collapse of this species in the 1960’s it has made a welcome comeback across the whole borough. It is one of the three most familiar raptors and the habit of taking prey from around bird feeders has made this a familiar species to many householders.
It is difficult to establish the current population but the habitat around the towns and across the downs is of particular liking. It is a familiar species around the ring road of Basingstoke and any outing into the field is likely to see at least one Sparrowhawk.
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentiles rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce resident.
The Goshawk is a very scarce bird in Hampshire. Recent breeding records from the New Forest show that there is potential for range expansion and although the borough is missing the continuous woodland commonly considered essential for this species. We do, however, have plenty of mixed copse and open space that Goshawks inhabit typically in the near continent.
In 1975 a pair was seen ‘nr Basingstoke’ during the spring but there was no proof of breeding.
In the last few years birds have been seen over well watched sites, especially in the late winter and early spring. This corresponds to times when they are most conspicuous. Most records have been around the fringe of Basingstoke from Ellisfield to Basing, through Chineham, Carpenters Down and to the Vyne. Although most are of singles, a male and female were reported together over Morgaston Wood in June 2003, interestingly the male was not a full adult bird. A male was also seen displaying in October 2005 over the same wood.
There were a lull in sightings from 2008-2010, but again regular sightings have been made since.
56
It is reputed that a pair have bred North of Bramley although whether the nest site is within the borough boundary and the level of breeding success is not known. More recently a pair is believed to nesting near Ellisfield, but no confirmation has yet been made.
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce visitor, most frequent in autumn
In the autumn of 2004 a single immature bird was seen on a few dates at The Vyne watermeadow from Aug 8th 2004 and it is most likely this bird that was seen moving South along the Basingstoke ring road on the evening of Sep 3rd 2004.
One, a female/immature was seen heading west over Benyon’s enclosure on Aug 30th 2015.
Previous records relate to migrating individuals over Bartons Mill, Hatch and Nately Scures.
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
The open down land provides the habitat that Hen Harriers seek for their winter range. However birds can be elusive particularly if prey is found in low densities and their winter territories are therefore correspondingly large.
Most winter records are of single ‘ringtails’, female or immatures, ranging over the large areas of the Downs both to the North and South of Basingstoke e.g. Ashley Warren and Preston Candover. Numbers are low and rarely exceed 4 or 5 in any year. There has been a least one historic roost site but that has been vacated and it is likely that now most records relate to birds using the Bransbury or Alresford roosts just across the ‘border’
Away from the downs birds can be seen anywhere on migration and the main river valleys form natural corridors and therefore is unsurprising that there are a number of records from well watched areas along the Loddon and the Test.
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus pm/rb?
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant, which has bred
Montagu’s Harrier is one of the rarest breeding raptors in Britain and their chosen habitat is open ground and agricultural areas. The records in the borough are limited to spring migrants
57 passing through northwards and not lingering, and a most clearly identified by Spring males rather than ringtails – which can be confused with late Hen Harriers.
The downs around Basingstoke should provide suitable habitat for breeding birds, but the only records appear to be a pair in a Barley field at Sherborne St John in 1965 and another pair reported near Dummer in 2000, yet in both instances breeding was not proven. All records of this beautiful but wary raptor should be treated with due confidentiality.
Red Kite Milvus milvus rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Previously a scarce visitor, but now a common resident due to the presence of released birds and their progeny.
Although common in Tudor period, in modern times the Red Kite was on the brink of extinction with a tiny population found only in mid-Wales. The chances of finding a Red Kite in Hampshire would be remote prior to the start of the RSPB reintroduction programme. That being said of a corpse was found in a Freefolk wood in January 1978 was from a bird ringed in Schwerin, Germany in 1976.
Birds that were part of the release programme centred in the Chilterns started being seen in 1991 and they have been seen increasingly frequently in recent years. Sightings have been received from all corners of the borough, but do concentrate to the north. It appears that pioneering birds have arrived in the borough via one of two routes. The easterly route from the Chilterns runs down the Loddon valley from Stratfield Turgis through to Tunworth. The westerly route is from the Ridgeway populations and birds have arrived Down edge from Hannington west to Faccombe.
The first breeding was reported in 1996 when three young were raised. Breeding was again proven at another site in 1997. The population is still growing and more records are seen year on year but the breeding population is increasing. In 2011 a partial search yielded 12 nests and there are now thought to be around 40 breeding pairs in the borough.
Of interest has been the growth of winter roosts on the Downs. This was first noted at Faccombe and then near Hare Warren, before shifting and scattering to other locations e.g. Tunworth and West Green End. Year on year the numbers have increased and show that this is a gathering that far exceeds the local population and has been shown to include immigrants from release sites remote from the Chilterns. The peak count relates to 131 birds at the Hare Warren roost on Jan 11th 2012.
Black Kite Milvus migrans V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant migrant with a two records
The only accepted borough record relates to bird seen perched in a tree and in flight at East Stratton on May 4th 1996. Four other reports have not been accepted by the HOSRP, relating to one at Overton May 5 - 6th, & June 26th 2008, one in Old Basing on May 24th and June 27th
58 2008, one at Pitts Hall Farm on Jul 14th 2008, and one near Overton at the end of May 2009. This species is one which is very familiar to a large number of birders from their overseas travel yet is difficult to get sighting accepted, and detailed descriptions are needed.
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant migrant with a two records
The only modern record is a single immature bird along Newnham lane from Feb 23rd 2011 until Mar 19th 2011. This bird had previous been seen in Sussex and on the Hampshire coast.
An historic record remains of a lone bird being seen at Highclere on Dec 18th 1927.
Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A rare winter visitor and passage migrant
Historically the area around Kingsclere and particularly Great Litchfield Down has been considered as prime Rough-legged Buzzard country with records of up to two birds together in winter.
In recent years, records have been received from the Berkshire/Hants border area beyond Kingsclere, yet many have not been able to be corroborated and even more relate to pale Buzzards that can be a classic identification mix up. A late bird was seen well by multiple observers north of Overton on May 3rd- 4th 2011.
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common and increasing resident.
A definite recent success storey in the borough. A decade ago this was an uncommon species in the borough and yet now it is probably the most common, and certainly the most visible, raptor. This matches the trend across the whole of Hampshire as with reduced persecution it has expanded its range from the South west.
With the growth in local populations it appears that every woodland now has its pair of Buzzards and they are not infrequently seen drifting over the outer edges of towns and villages. In the late summer and winter period birds seem to congregate and over a dozen can be seen on the same thermal particularly over the Downs.
59
60 Crakes, Rails & Crane
Essentially birds of the water edge, the number of species and the overall numbers of Crakes and Rails is low in the borough. Only Coot and Moorhen is firmly established and although familiar wherever there is water they are nowhere abundant.
The only other local visitor is the Water Rail. It really needs hard weather to be confiding and the abandoned cress beds and spring feed streams often hold a sizable winter population. It may breed annually along the Test and/or the Loddon, but proof for this skulking species has only been received from Barton’s Mill & The Vyne.
The Corncrake is a very scarce visitor although it is tempting to say that is skulking habits would make it difficult to find on migration, the British population is only slowly recovering from near extinction and there are very few birds crossing the country as a whole. It is true that the Corncrake was a borough breeder at least until WWII and maybe even more recently than this.
Only one local record of Crane exists, that being a fly by. However with the reintroduction in Somerset and the breeding natural population expanding in Norfolk, hopefully this will not be an isolated occurrence.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident, and moderately common winter visitor.
A skulking species that requires reeds and other rank vegetation also site pools and water courses and which is more often heard than seen.
It is assumed that Water Rail does breed widely across the borough yet there is little evidence. It has believed to have bred between 2002-2005 at Bartons Mill and young have been seen in a couple of years. Since 2013, it has also bred at the The Vyne, reflecting the maturing of the habitat. It was strongly suspected at Stratfield Saye Park for the first time in 2002.
It is seen regularly at a few sites such as Bartons Mill, Basing Road cress beds and Overton Lagoons throughout the winter and can be particularly confiding in cold winters. It is assumed that it also occurs in the river valleys of the Test and Loddon where habitat is plentiful but access is difficult for recorders. For the first time, at least one and probably two, wintered at The Vyne Watermeadows in the winter of 2011/2012.
Corncrake Crex crex V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant migrant with a single record
61 Although most likely to have been an historic breeding species in the borough, it was locally extinct before 1950. The only modern record relates to a lone bird that was seen at Stratfield Saye on Sep 25th 1995 and then run over by a Land Rover at the same site on Sep 27th.
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident and winter visitor.
Moorhens are found close to water of any kind, and can range widely in to the surrounding area. They are an undemanding species and are therefore widespread in the borough where-ever waterside vegetation is allowed to persist.
Often they can also be found a long way from water in rank vegetation and along field edges although they always return to water to breed.
In winter they do congregate on the larger lakes and river edges and therefore counts of double figures or more are common in the Test and Loddon valleys.
Peak counts come from the main lake sites with 50 at Stratfield Saye on Jan 12th 1997, 47 at Polhampton on Mar 15th 2002, and 40 at Ashe throughout Nov 2001.
Coot Fulica atra RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident and winter visitor.
Coot need deeper water than Moorhen and therefore are tied to the same lakes in the river valleys that attract diving duck. The peak numbers occur in the winter when flocks build up from the local population and are supplemented by influxes from elsewhere particularly during hard weather.
Historically the highest borough count relates to 240 at Stratfield Saye in January 1982. The peak recent count is 146 on Feb 23rd 2002 at Ashe and yet this is a rare three figure count and most expected sites i.e. Stratfield Saye, Overton Lagoons, Black Dam have peaks in the 60-70 birds.
It is a widespread breeder on the ornamental lakes, however systematic counts of the population have not been carried out, but the 16 pairs recorded at Stratfield Saye indicate the density of the summer population. Breeding is recorded at the each of the site mentioned above and at the very least at The Vyne, Polhampton, and Ashe.
62 Crane Grus grus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A passage vagrant, with one borough record.
A single bird was seen heading South over the Millfield LNR on May 25th 2008 is the only borough record, although this has not been accepted by HOSRP
Waders
The populations of waders are habitat dependent. The poor quality and extent of waterside habitat means that those species dependent upon water are relatively rare and of low numbers across the borough. The situation for non-water dependent species such as Lapwing and Golden Plover are somewhat different. Winter flocks can be found across the Downs and in the case of Lapwing the peak in numbers appears to be as the post-breeding flocks assemble in August and September.
The Downs are also home to that most special of local wader, the Stone-curlew. Numbers in the borough are low and can be hard to find even by those who know when and where to look. However these do form a significant proportion of the UK population.
The riverine area and the Down land spring fed cressbeds, a classic Hampshire habitat. These hold a small wintering population of Green Sandpiper, although the recent resurgent in the popularity of this salad has led to some sites being over-tidied and the birds moving on.
All other wader species are regarded as fly-bys, both in the spring and in greater numbers in the autumn. Many records relate to birds moving through but Overton lagoons and more especially the The Vyne watermeadow can hold birds for prolonged periods. These may be part of the supposed overland short-cut from the Wash to the Solent, or just part of those birds found across the border in Berkshire that are part of a route that uses the Thames. It is true that waders are more common around Reading than around Basingstoke suggesting that habitat rather than location is the determining factor.
The improvement of the habitat at The Vyne has encouraged birds to stay to breed. Lapwing, Redshank and Little Ringed Plover have all raised young since 2002 and hopefully they represent the vanguard of the return of breeding waders as conservation work along the river valleys bear fruit.
Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce summer visitor.
Stone-curlew is a scarce nesting summer visitor to the down land areas. It is reliant upon bare earth at the start of the breeding season and therefore numbers were reduced by the normal agricultural practice of sowing winter wheat. In areas of the Wessex downs active conservation programmes have been adopted to plough through areas in the spring and this
63 has created suitable habitat and has corresponding been met with an increase in the population.
That being said it is still a scarce bird in the borough and it is more likely that odd birds can be encountered during migration and particularly in post breeding dispersal flocks. Anywhere on the open downs is possible, but most records come from the vicinity of Great Litchfield Down and the Ashley Warren area.
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant
Although recognisable as a shorebird, the Oystercatcher is a regular species just across the border in Berkshire and therefore the few records in the borough could be regarded as a bit of a surprise. Only a few records have been received relating to a single at Ashe Park Lake from Mar 30th to Apr 7th 2001. The following year a bird was discovered at Overton Lagoons on Apr 19th before moving to Ashe the following day where it remained until Apr 25th. Since 2014 they have been regular in spring in the private pits on the Berkshire border, and despite mating pairs being seen, they soon move on. Still, an April bird can be expected now.
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant, with three borough records.
The first borough record relates to a single bird that stayed at the Overton Pools from Mar 18 -22nd 2001. A single was at the Vyne Watermeadows on Apr 24th 2008. The only autumn record relates to a party of five birds again at the Vyne Watermeadows on Oct 19th 2015.
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus sm/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon and decreasing breeder and numerous winter visitor.
Like the Golden Plover, the Lapwing is a bird of the open down land, but appears less sensitive of the planting of winter wheat and can be found on grasslands and wheat fields in winter. They are the most common wader in the borough and flocks can number in the several hundreds during the depths of winter. Exceptionally in hard weather on the continent big movements can be seen and the biggest borough count relates to a flock of 1250 at Lasham Airfield on Nov 21st 1994.
The species breeds in two types of habitat. They are a low density breeder in the short grass down land that is still found, particularly around Kingsclere. They are also attracted to the river valleys and certainly the positive management of the wet meadows at The Vyne has
64 encouraged them to return. Even so the borough breeding population probably totals in the tens of pairs and little more.
A feature of The Vyne has been the establishment of a post breeding flock, the peak count of 514 birds in Aug 2005 is way above the local population level and indicates an influx from surrounding counties. There is no direct evidence of where these birds come from but recovery in autumn 1952 near Basingstoke of a bird ringed in Lancashire on 6th July that year may give some clue that the movements are over some distance.
It has been noticeable that since 2010 the local population, both wintering and breeding has been decreasing. The post breeding flock is also a shadow of the past numbers.
European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common winter visitor and passage migrant.
Flocks of Golden Plover are a relatively common sight in winter around Basingstoke. Three or four groups of birds are seen most winters and they can be relatively mobile. They seem to prefer stubble and ploughed open fields on the Downs and shun winter wheat.
The best places to look are Hook Lane, between Wootton St Lawrence and Ibworth, and around Cliddesden here normal numbers are 60-70 birds per flock although exceptionally up to nearly 700 have been seen together. Historically flocks of a similar size could also be found around Five Lanes End and Tunworth but this area is so under watched it is unclear whether the birds have moved or just not being recorded.
In the recent past, a flock used to be present on the outskirts of Basingstoke and would roost on the roof of Eli Lily’s distribution warehouse in the Houndmills industrial estate. This behaviour is most unusual and only appears to have been recorded at one other site countrywide. The re-roofing of the building and increased insulation have obviously made this a less attractive location.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A passage vagrant with a single record
The only record relates to a single fly over bird at the Millfield in Jul 2006.
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant
65 The first borough record was of a single migrant, accompanying three Dunlin, at The Vyne watermeadow on May 17th 2003.
The second record of what appeared to be an adult and four juveniles that were found at the same site on the 12th Sept 2005. The juveniles were still present the next day and at least two remained until 20th. Thirdly a single juvenile was here on Sept 2nd 2010.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius PM/sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce summer visitor and passage migrant.
The Little Ringed Plover is a recent addition the UK breeding list with this species taking advantage of the 1950’s expansion of gravel extraction. In the borough there is little active gravel working and in consequence little directly relevant habitat, there is plenty however just outside of the borough around Reading to the North and towards the Blackwater Valley to the East.
The majority of records are of passage birds and these appear to be concentrated in spring at most sites. Passage numbers are generally low with rarely four birds together through late March to late April. Peak sites include Overton/Ashe and The Vyne.
At Overton and Ashe Park Lake pairs have bred sporadically until 2001, although the recent degradation in habitat there means that a recurrence is unlikely
From 2003 – 2008 birds stayed to attempt to breed at The Vyne at the regenerated watermeadow. One pair hatched three young in 2003 and two pairs held territory in 2004 but no young were seen. In 2009/10 the birds had moved to a nearby Golf course extension.
The Vyne site has also started to be used as a post breeding staging post and the peak borough count of 14 birds were recorded there on 16th July 2004.
Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
Although the borough contains classic migration habitat, the only record relates to a trip of nine birds seen between Preston Candover and Bradley on Apr 27th 2010.
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident and winter visitor.
66 Most records of this species are of roding birds in the spring and early summer. The first BTO Woodcock survey in 2003 and the Nightjar survey the following year encouraged observers into suitable areas at dusk, i.e. right time to assess the local population. This was then followed up in 2013, with a “top up” in 2016 The results from these surveys suggest that Woodcock are widespread in wooded and heathland areas across the borough and there has been little noticeable change over the period.
However they remain infrequently seen unless they are roding. It is unusual to flush birds in open woodland, yet this is more frequent in winter than any other season. Whether this indicates that the local population is supplemented by wintering birds from the continent is unknown. The easiest places to see roding birds include Carpenters Down, Morgaston Wood and Testbourne.
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce but overlooked winter visitor and passage migrant.
This species is most often encounter in waterlogged rough grassland and heath in winter, but its general reluctance to be flushed means that it is infrequently seen. The BTO has assessed from hunting bags that the ratio of Snipe to Jack Snipe is in the order of 10:1 but the general records of 1 or 2 birds per year means that many must be missed or that rule of thumb doesn’t apply in the borough.
There is very little pattern to the records and most come from either well watched wetlands or heathland areas and with one exception single birds are the norm. However since early 2009, they have been recorded regularly at The Vyne. Nearly exclusively seen as part of the Snipe flush counts, they have now been recorded from October through to early April with a peak of 3 in Feb 2012.
Historically, the peak count in the borough comes from the old Basingstoke sewage farm with 10 being counted in December 1960.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago WV/rb?
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common passage migrant and winter visitor, may breed.
A bird of inland lakes, river edges and flooded fields, there is no evidence that the Snipe still breed in borough. At most sites they are encountered in low numbers and typically a small flight of four-five birds are flushed from the edges of ponds and streams. Occasional birds can be found almost anywhere and sometimes far from water, including a single flushed from a ploughed field on Great Litchfield Down.
Where damp meadows and stream edges are left undisturbed greater numbers can be attracted. The water meadows at The Vyne are typical of such habitat and the potential of such habitat management was shown when 124 were counted there on Feb 10th 2013. Flush
67 counts carried out Monthly since late 2008 have shown the site holds an important wintering population including in the hardest of weathers.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant
Another scarce wader that is seen in the borough in very small numbers, predominantly on autumn passage. A total of nine records are dominated by the occurrences at The Vyne. There is a single historic record of two birds together from Sherborne St John. The first recent record was of seven birds together on July 25th 2000. Two further records relate to single birds there on Oct 6th 2002 and then again on Aug 13th 2004. In 2005 birds were present both in the spring with a single on Mar 12th and again in the autumn on Aug 19th. Then in 2009, there were three together for about a week in mid-August. In 2013 a party of three were seen on Jul 29th and in 2015 a single bird stayed from Jul 12th to Aug 5th.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant
There is a likelihood that this species uses the short cut migration route linking Southampton Water to the Wash on a regular basis, however there is only one record of grounded birds – three were seen with Whimbrel north of Brown Candover on May 8th 2010.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant
Whimbrel have such a distinctive call and are vocal on passage. This means that despite not a single bird being seen on the ground in the borough a number of sightings of fly-over birds has been made. These records are concentrated in the well watched areas of the river valleys and limited to autumn movements of birds moving south to the coast.
Barton’s Mill has had the majority of records with singles over on Jul 26th 1994, Jul 17th 1998 and a mixed flock of waders including 22 Whimbrel has also been recorded.
The away from this site, one was heard over Overton on Jul 15th 2002 and a party of 7 birds were seen north of Brown Candover on May 8th 2010, accompanying Bar-tailed Godwit.
68 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata wv/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
A flock of 20 were seen flying South-west at Stratfield Saye on Jan 3rd 1993. A single bird took residence for several days at Stratfield Turgis in 1993.
One was heard over Tunworth on Apr 11th 1994 and more recently two flew over Hatch on Nov 28th 2005 and were later heard calling over the Millfield that evening. A single was seen close to the north borough border at Mortimer West End on Apr 2nd 2017.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce passage migrant
Historically there was a run of eight records at the old Basingstoke sewage works. This included three together on Aug 9th 1966. This number of birds together is not unique as three were also reported from Upton Grey on May 8th-11th 1975.
The only recent records relates to a single at The Vyne watermeadow from the Sep 6th 2005 until at least the evening of the Sep 7th, another from Aug 31st until Sep 2nd 2007 and a summer plumage bird there on June 10th 2008.
Although regular on the coast of Hampshire, Spotted Redshank is a very scarce species inland.
Common Redshank Tringa tetanus rb/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce breeder and passage migrant
Redshanks are dependent upon damp tussock meadows for breeding and very little of this habitat remains in the borough. Since 2000, the watermeadow at The Vyne has provided a perfect setting and birds have responded by up to six pairs nesting. These birds tend to arrive in early March and leave in early July. The young remain until the end of the month. Since 2007 it appears that some pairs have moved to breed on another lake on private land close by. However since 2010 birds have become increasingly scarce are there are no recent records through the breeding season.
Elsewhere, winter flooding can temporarily provide suitable habitat and at Overton, Ashe and Brown Candover pairs have been reported between March and early May, but none stayed to breed – presumably as these sites dried out.
69 Elsewhere and at other times the Redshank remains a scarce bird. There have been occasional records in late autumn and winter of single birds but they follow no particular pattern.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common passage migrant
Records in the borough are limited to the river valleys and migration periods. The Greenshank is scarce in spring with a peak count of four at The Vyne watermeadow on May 12th 2005 and only a handful of other records.
They are more plentiful in autumn and the watermeadow at the Vyne regularly hold birds from July through to September. There are two distinct passages that can be detected with an early passage of adult birds and then in August when the juveniles pass through. The peak count in the borough being 16 at the Vyne watermeadow from Jul 25th 2008.
Other sites have flyover birds and short stayers, records having come from Barton’s Mill, Overton and Testbourne.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus pm/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A passage migrant, scarce in spring and moderately common in autumn. Small numbers winter.
Records show a distinct peak in the mid-1990s but numbers have fallen since and records of five or more a very scarce now. The majority of records are associated with passage birds which are scarce in spring but more common in autumn.
Spring migration can start as early as late March but it is mainly in April that birds are seen heading north. Returning adult birds are first seen in late June, but it is in mid to late August that the main passage of juvenile birds occurs. The peak counts occur at this time and the maximum count relates to 18 at Mapledurwell cress beds on Dec 15th 1984.
In Hampshire as a whole, the Green Sandpiper is a familiar wintering bird on cress beds and spring fed streams. This is also the case in the borough and odd birds can be seen at Overton, Testbourne, Mapledurwell together with almost anywhere in the Test and Loddon valleys. The wintering population does seem to be in decline, Green Sandpiper can be irregular and difficult to find during the winter months.
70 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce autumn migrant.
Although easily confused with the Green Sandpiper, this is a scarce bird in Hampshire and particularly so in the borough.
Only six records have been received and they all relate to passage bird that have not lingered. Two records are from Brown Candover and most recently single birds were at The Vyne on Jul 25th 2004, Jul 8 – 11th 2005 and Sep 2-7th 2005 and Aug 14th 2008.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common passage migrant;
As with the other scarce but regular passage waders, birds are seen in both spring and autumn at a select series of sites along the Test and Loddon valleys that have shallow pools e.g. Ashe, Overton, The Vyne, Testbourne.
Spring passage occurs in April and May and is characterised by short staying birds, most often singletons occasionally pairs.
Autumn passage is concentrated in the late August to mid-September but birds can start arriving from late July. These often linger at sites and numbers of two or three can be found if conditions are right
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
A single record of one bird is from Conkers Garden Centre at Hatch on Oct 22nd 1996.
Little Stint Calidris minuta pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon passage migrant with a single record
One, a juvenile, was seen at the Vyne watermeadow on Aug 16th 2015.
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Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant with a single record
Although an American and Siberian species, it is perhaps not unexpected that this would be the first Nearctic species in the borough. A juvenile was at the Vyne watermeadows from Sept 23rd-27th 2006.
Dunlin Calidris alpina pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon passage migrant
As with all waders Dunlin are scarce in the borough and, with the exception of a single winter record of one at Black Dam on Dec 30th 1995, all have been related to either spring or autumn passage.
Until 2003 records were more plentiful in the autumn than the spring although as all related to single birds it was difficult to assess the overall numbers concerned. It is likely as few birds stayed more than a few hours that nearly every record related to a single individual and no more than four or five were seen across the borough.
Since 2003, The Vyne has attracted more spring passage than autumn and the number of multiple sightings have increased. The peak passage now appears to occur in early May and the peak count has been five together at the Vyne on May 3rd 2004.
Ruff Philomachus pugnax pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon passage migrant
The Ruff is seen in small numbers in spring (rare) and autumn. Although fly-bys can be met in any of the river valleys they can be encouraged to stay at shallow lakes.
Modern records are nearly exclusively at The Vyne and include both Ruff and Reeves. Northward passage is in mid-April and the return is in the last week of August through to mid- September although stragglers have remained until the end of the month. No more than two birds have been recorded at The Vyne at the same time.
72 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
A single record of one bird is from Overton Lagoons on Sep 20th 1967.
Gulls, Terns & Skuas
Gulls have been increasing despite the borough lacking the large water bodies suitable for a roost, nor does it have the land fill sites. The proximity of the Thames valley at Reading that has both in abundance means that the Basingstoke area attracts the dispersion of these roost and daily movements can be observed to the north of the borough. The basic borough species are Black-headed and Lesser Black backed Gulls. Only three other species are regular, namely Common, Herring and Greater Black-backed Gulls. The remainder are all vagrant species that have been seen on a handful of times.
Terns are an uncommon sight in inland Hampshire, but Common Tern does breed around Reading and at Eversley and Fleet Pond not far beyond the borough boundary. The birds seen in the borough are drift migrants and perhaps another group that follow the short cut from the Wash to the Solent, or alternatively follow the Thames inland before cutting south. It is likely the two records of Black Tern are part of the latter group especially as the Thames side reservoirs can hold large flocks of Black Tern c.f. Staines Reservoirs.
Skuas are migrant species that are essentially maritime in nature. It is therefore unsurprising to find only one modern record although there is a historic record of one being shot at Ashmansworth in 1883. The record at North Waltham probably relates to birds crossing on the Solent-Wash route postulated elsewhere. It is known that Skuas will ‘cut corners’ overland, most famously the passage up the Solway in Scotland
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with two records
The first record relates to a storm driven bird seen early in the morning of Mar 3rd 2000 at Black Dam before leaving west at 10am. A second bird was seen at the Millfield on Oct 31st 2006 and then later the same day over the A30 at Hatch.
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with a record
73 A single bird, no doubt associated with the hurricane that hit the South coast, was seen at Cranborne in Oct 16/17th 1987.
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephelus ridibundus WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common passage migrant and winter visitor.
Together with Lesser Black-backs, the Black-headed Gull vies to be the commonest gull in the borough. Loose flocks are a common sight wherever there is water and following the plough in agricultural areas.
The down land flocks don’t seem to reach the magnitude of their larger brethren but they are also prevalent in towns and a flock is ever present around Black Dam incongruously bedecking the lamp posts around junction 6 of the M3.
The peak count recorded was 1000 at Stratfield Saye on Feb 3rd 2017.
Little Gull Hydrocoleos minutus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
A report of one at Black Dam in May in the late 80s has not been confirmed, however it does tie in with other Fleet Pond records.
Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
The only borough record relates to a single at Woodmancott seen between Aug 2– 8th 1996.
Common Gull Larus canus wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon winter visitor
Although nowhere near as common as Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed gulls, the Common Gull is not infrequent in the borough. Although odd birds can be found in the flocks of other gull species, more often than not these are seen away from the main gull roosts
74 particularly in the period from November to February.
The peak local count is a movement of 620 at Tunworth on Apr 6th 1996 although only one other three figure count has ever been received.
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor
The occasional Great Black-backed Gull has been seen in the down land flocks of Lesser Black-backed Gulls or part of the flocks drifting to and from the gravel pits around Reading to the north. There appears to be no pattern to their occurrence and they are rare in their occurrence.
Herring Gull Larus argentatus wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor
Perhaps mirroring the position on the Reading roosts, the numbers of Herring Gulls recorded in the borough is substantially lower than that of the Lesser Black-backed Gull. In fact it is rare to find double figure counts as odd birds mingle within the hoards of Lesser Black-backs.
There is no particular pattern to their occurrence in the flocks and odd birds can be found in most months with the apparent exception of summer and early autumn. More predictable are the few birds that appear in the Loddon Valley especially in the centre of Basingstoke. These can be almost guaranteed around the McDonalds drive in and Milestones area, but also drift to Eastrop park and The Millfield on occasions.
The peak borough count relates to 50 birds moving North at dusk over Ashley Warren on the evening of Dec 7th 1996. The birds were presumably moving to their roost in the Thames Valley.
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis pm/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
With improvement in identification criteria and increase in records in the county as a whole, including a regular autumn count of up to 169 birds in the Lower Test and a smaller gathering at Blackbushe it is not unsurprising that odd records are received from the borough. In fact, a flyway directly between the two sites would pass through the borough.
Up to three birds have been seen together in a number of down land sites close to
75 Basingstoke. The records come from either in the depth of winter or in early autumn. It is interest to note that Herring type birds in early September are more likely to be Yellow- legged than Herring Gull.
A single was also seen at The Vyne watermeadow on the Mar 15th 2009.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common winter visitor, and breeding is now suspected
Flocks of Lesser Black Backed Gulls are a familiar site in the north of the borough. They are seen in autumn and winter in reasonable numbers on the downs and also in the daily flights to and from the roosting sites on the gravel pits around Reading.
Numbers are generally in the range of 50-100 birds, although flocks of 400 or more have been seen. These are best sought to the north of Basingstoke and particularly to both sides of the A339 between Wootton St Lawrence and Kingsclere. There is also a distinct movement along the A33, suggesting that birds also head further south in the borough on a daily basis during the winter.
Breeding has been suspected in 2012 from the Daneshill area of Basingstoke, presumably on the flat roofs of the warehouses. Juveniles have been seen each year yet the actual locality has not yet been tracked down.
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce passage migrant with a single record.
The single record of this species involves a single bird over the Millfield LNR heading east on Sep 26th 2016.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo sm/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce summer visitor.
All of the borough records relate to migrant birds and also prospecting individuals visiting the sites of large lakes in summer. Nearly all of the records have been from the larger of the borough lakes and records have mainly been from Ewhurst and The Vyne, a maximum of four were seen at the former site on Jul 15th 2000.
76 Fly through records can be had almost anywhere and there has been a run of records on Tadley Common, this presumably relating to birds that breed on the lakes south and west of Reading.
Arctic Tern Sterna hirundo pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce passage migrant with a single record.
The single record of this species involves a single bird on the Berkshire border near Tadley at Welshman Rd Gravel Pit from Sep 17th – 28th 2011.
Black Tern Chlidonias niger pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce passage migrant.
The only records relate to a purple patch at the Vyne watermeadow in the autumn of 2002 with a single juvenile bird there on Aug 25th and two on Sep 1st.
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
The only borough record relates to two birds flying South over North Waltham on Aug 23rd 1987.
Auks
Auks are regular winter visitors and spring passage migrants to Hampshire coasts and rare at other seasons. Inland they are extremely rare and relate to wind-blown migrants, and most of these relate to the rarest of all the local Auks, namely the Little Auk presumably as the other species are more capable of withstanding such displacement.
Little Auk Alle alle V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Vagrant winter visitor
77 The two borough records both relate to a wind-blown individuals. The first was picked up from a lawn in Overton on Oct 19th 1997 and the next was taken into care in Whitchurch on Dec 21st 2015.
Puffin Fraticula arctica V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Vagrant winter visitor
A single record of one picked up Baughurst Feb 14th 1953, although it is unclear if it was found alive or dead.
Pigeons & Doves
Pigeons are a familiar sight across the borough and yet they are under-recorded on the whole. Counts and breeding records are not often kept and therefore very little is known. The only migrant species, the Turtle Dove is a Hampshire BAP species and has declined so much in the borough that it is all but extinct as a locally breeding species.
Collared Dove has gone the other way, the first record in the 1963 has been followed by a period of expansion that now means that it the commonest bird in many urban areas. In the agricultural and down land the Woodpigeon is still a common bird and can reach flocks of 1000 or more birds and achieves pest status in some areas. There are few records of diurnal migration that can be the feature of other areas, most reported local movements seem to be random and fit the pattern of feeding flights rather than passage.
Feral Pigeon Columba livia RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident.
The descendants of Rock Dove, the usual feral pigeons are familiar in town and countryside alike. Where they originate from is not clear. There are a mix of plumages and types indicating that racing pigeons and domestic doves are represented.
They are usually almost ignored by birders and there are negligible records of these birds. There are most easily seen leaving roosting sites on the high-rise buildings in the centre of Basingstoke each morning. The peak borough count relates to a flock of 500 at Five Lanes end on Nov 15th 1998.
Stock Dove Columba oenas RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
78
The plethora of ancient copses and woodlands around Basingstoke are ideal habitat for the Stock Dove as it is reliant on tree holes for nest sites. As a consequence it is a familiar bird in most agricultural areas although it is normally seen in ones and twos and never in the size of flock familiar with Wood Pigeons.
This species is under-reported in the borough, however there is a suspicion that large winter flocks are increasingly rare. The peak borough count is 92 at Five Lanes End on Dec 22nd 1996.
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident and winter visitor.
Woodpigeon are a familiar sight in agricultural areas across the borough. They can form large flocks and as such can cause substantial damage to crops. In recent years they have increasingly seen in sub-urban gardens and parks.
They are renown as daytime migrants and will form large flocks during October and November. These can be confused with more local movements to track food sources which are particularly prevalent with the large flocks that form in the depths of winter.
It appears that the former is relatively rare in the borough. Yet later in the winter large movements can be seen at the high points to the north of the borough and along the river valleys. These movements are not most likely migration as birds can be seen both North and South on the same day!
The peak borough count relates to 2500 over Hatch on the Dec 22nd 1995 and represents local feeding movements in the fields close by.
Woodpigeon are not solely a bird of open and agricultural areas. There has been a move into towns and villages and they have become one of the more common garden birds that hoover up seed on bird tables and at winter feeding stations. It is also one of the commonest birds on the Breeding Bird Survey.
European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur rb/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce, and declining, summer visitor and passage migrant.
The number of Turtle Doves have declined across the whole of the county and the borough is no exception. It was never a common migrant and now it is almost invisible. Breeding numbers were limited to a few specific sites including Barton’s Mill and Carpenters Down and although it is still occasionally seen at this latter site it appears that breeding ceased in the late-1990s. The remaining site in the Borough had been Benyon’s enclosure, however although up to two pairs remained until 2010, a single remaining pair has been a bit erratic since, but appears to be just hanging on.
79 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident and passage migrant.
The Collared Dove is a recent colonist. Unknown in Britain before 1955 It first arrived in Hampshire in 1957 and first bred near the coast in 1962. Shortly after, in 1963 Collared Dove arrived in the borough with the first record at Stratfield Saye.
Collared Dove is now one of the most widespread residents around Basingstoke particularly in urban and sub-urban settings. The peak local count was 310 at Oakley on Sep 5th 2001.
Cuckoos
There are three species of Cuckoo on the Hampshire list, but only one for the borough itself. The familiar Cuckoo is still regarded as the harbinger of spring, and is still reasonably common in the borough. The loss of breeding records from former areas suggests this is one to watch.
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common but declining summer visitor.
The archetypal harbinger of spring, the calling of the Cuckoo is eagerly awaited by birders and non-birders alike. The Cuckoo is not the earliest of migrant nor the most widespread, yet the call can be heard for large distances and is instantly recognisable.
The population in the borough is relatively low, yet the Cuckoo is widespread on the heaths and especially across the downs. The adult leave by July, yet the young that have been raised by pipits, wagtails or warblers can stay as late as early September.
Owls
Perhaps not unusually for predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal species, seeing owls is a red-letter day for most birdwatchers. The situation in Hampshire is that most species are relatively inconspicuous and therefore under-reported rather than rare, a pattern that is repeated across Basingstoke & Deane.
Of the resident species, Barn Owl is concentrated in the main river valleys and the population now appears to be stable. Little Owl should be regularly seen in a wide range of habitats across the borough but the recent scarcity of records suggests that more work is needed. The Tawny Owl is the most nocturnal of the three and it is believed that the records received represent just a small proportion of the overall population.
The Long-eared Owl, the most elusive of the tribe, has always been scarce but a large proportion of Hampshire records come from the borough and it has bred irregularly.
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The Short-eared Owl, our most familiar owl due to its diurnal habits, is a familiar passage migrant and winterer on the down land and will form colonial roosts in the river valleys. Numbers fluctuate from year to year and it has, in the past, stayed to breed.
Western Barn Owl Tyto alba rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident.
Unlike our other resident Owls, a bird of open areas and farmland. The Barn Owl holds a special place in the affections of general population and is behind much folklore. The spectre-like white image at dusk is the source, it is said, of many ghost stories.
The Barn Owl has benefited from positive action in terms of set aside areas and game strips and also in the provision of nest boxes. As such the population is widespread across much of the borough. It is most easily seen over rough pasture and set-aside both in River Valleys and on the Downs.
Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A spring vagrant with at least one record.
The status in the borough is based upon two records. One was found dead at Highclere on May 11th 1968.
The well documented Dummer record of May 12th until July 20th 1980 has been subject of much rumour and counter rumour over the years. There is now sufficient information to suggest that the origin of this bird is suspect and therefore it is not considered safe for inclusion.
Tawny Owl Strix aluco RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident
The twit-terwoo call of the Tawny Owl is only second to the Cuckoo as the most instantly recognisable bird call to most people. Fortunately it is also a familiar call in the borough, both in woodland, the country side generally and the edge of towns and villages. The screeching call can also be heard but most non-birders don’t realise it comes from the same species.
The Tawny Owl not only calls at night but can also do so during the day, but although many have heard the calling birds seeing them is a different matter. There is little real evidence of any population change and like so many of our commoner birds there are very few reports of
81 Tawny Owls yet from the little census work that is done it is clear that the local population is still healthy.
Little Owl Athene noctua rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common but declining resident.
The date that Little Owl joined the county avifauna is unclear but all of the local population are descended from the releases of Edmund Meade-Waldo in Hampshire over a quarter of century into the early 1900s. The last detailed survey indicated that Little Owl was widespread and yet this isn’t a particularly familiar bird across the borough, and can be difficult to find unless calling. It can still be found, especially around the large estate houses or farms, especially those with traditional outbuildings.
However, it is clear that since the millennium, the population has been falling. They have disappeared from many territories and few are now at known reliable sites.
Long-eared Owl Asio otus rb?/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce but regular winter visitor has bred.
Long-eared Owls are almost exclusively nocturnal and therefore one of the most difficult species to see. Together with the scarcity of the species it is not surprising that records are few and far between.
Within the borough there were a constant stream of records from the west of Basingstoke in the nineties and these probably mainly related to a breeding pair that frequented Caesar’s Belt that bred there until 2000. Most years, a pair or so can be found in the downs, but they are often overlooked, the young’s squeaky gate call is often the most obtrusive thing about these birds.
Note should be made of a bird ringed at Pape, Liepaja, Latvia on Oct 22nd 2003 that was released at Ashley Warren after being found tangled in strawberry netting at Winchester cathedral on Dec 5th 2003.
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus rb?/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce but regular winter visitor.
Short-eared Owl are more readily seen than the other owls due to their diurnal habits. In the
82 borough they are most frequently seen on the down land to the North-west of Basingstoke. Some of these birds are probably individuals that range from the well-known roost that is just over the borough boundary at Bransbury Common.
Most winters bring a few records as birds move in during October and they may stay as late as April. Recently, the best recent winter appears to have been 2007/2008 when a roost of up to 9 birds were at Ashley Warren.
A single record of breeding was reported on the Downs in 1999 and this represents one of the very few nesting records in Hampshire as a whole.
Nightjars & Swifts
With Hampshire having such a large proportion of the national lowland heath, Nightjar is a good indicator species of this important habitat and a county BAP priority species. Not surprisingly the strongholds are in the New Forest and the north east and the borough is really on the edge of this but our patches of lowland heath do attract churring males.
Even more than the Swallow, the Swift is the real indicator of summer. A late spring migrant inbound and an early autumn back south, it is familiar species around towns and villages, particularly in the wheeling and screaming post breeding flocks. There does not appear to have been much change in the numbers of Swifts either as migrants or breeding.
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant.
A summer visitor to the heaths, the local population has been affected by the planting over of the Thames Basin heath and the conversion to farmland and housing. In recent years there has been a general increase in the county population and the survey work done has shown that the remaining fragments of heath and cleared plantations can provide a home for a few pairs in the borough.
Unsurprisingly the records of birds are concentrated around Tadley and Silchester, but additionally a churring male has been found at Carpenter’s Down in the summers of 2003 – 2010 inclusive.
Common Swift Apus apus SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant.
One of our latest spring arrivals, Swifts arrive in late April but are more associated with the first warm days in May, and in fact it is known that early arrivals may emigrate to the near continent if the weather turns bad or their insect prey are scarce.
83
Swifts can be found anywhere across the borough but they breed in buildings, particularly roof spaces and towers of older buildings. It is clear that the change in building approaches has reduced the availability of breeding spaces and the local population has suffered. That being said screaming flocks of Swifts are a feature of late summer in towns and particularly around the ‘skyscrapers’ of central Basingstoke.
Large flocks can form in early autumn and these can be pushed low in wet and thundery weather. The borough maximum was a flock of 1000 birds near Five Lanes End on July 7th 1994. Most birds leave in August with a few staying until mid-September.
Kingfisher, Bee-eater, & Hoopoe
These three brightly coloured species are unrelated and specialised feeders in their own right. The Kingfisher is a familiar sight from all waterways and the coast. It is sensitive to hard winters, but since there has been a run of mild winters, population levels in the county appear to be high.
The Bee-eater is a rare visitor and ten have now been reported in the Hampshire as a whole. Most have been seen in August and the single record from the borough represents the latest recorded date for this species.
Hoopoe bred in Hampshire from 1953-1959 but, despite breeding in Surrey and Sussex since, this has not been repeated. With now over a 175 county records this is a very scarce migrant, most records being of overshooting spring migrants in coastal areas. The few borough records are typical of these records but are unusual so far inland.
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident whose numbers are increased in winter.
A flash of blue is the most you often see of the Kingfisher, often preceded by a clear single whistle. This master of the rivers is seen along most of the rivers throughout the borough and the clear spring fed streams are perfect for these birds.
That being said it is unclear what the local population actually is, presumably as so much of the perfect habitat is not open for public access and local breeding has only been reported in a handful of places. One of these was not in the typical riverside bank but in a hole in a fallen tree.
It is certainly more prevalent in winter, when additional birds arrive in the area and it can be found along many streams often in more built up areas around Basingstoke. The run of mild winters has certainly helped this species and the local population is probably at a recent high.
84 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
The single borough record relates to a single seen at Old Basing on the late date of Oct 8th 1995.
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant that has bred.
A pair bred at Sherfield on Loddon in 1953 although there is no record of the success or otherwise in raising young. This was at the time of a sequence of breeding in the county.
The only recent record relates to single birds at Burghclere Manor, Old Burghclere on May 20th 1995, at Little Basing on May 4th 2007, at Silchester Road, Tadley on May 3rd 2008, and Cliddesden on Apr 1st 2012.
Woodpeckers
As expected of such a well-wooded area, the three national woodpeckers are all well represented in Basingstoke & Deane and Hampshire as a whole. As common birds they suffer from the general trend of under-reporting except where general survey work is being carried out. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers are a familiar sight on most birding trips in the borough.
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is generally elusive and the recent reporting has dropped to levels last seen a decade ago. The cause for this is unknown. It may relate to observer coverage rather than an actual drop in the population, but with other woodland species such as Willow and Marsh Tit also in decline, it may also indicate real change in our ancient woodland.
The Wryneck is our only other ‘woodpecker’. Although it has been a breeding species in the past – the most recent being in 1975 - it now occurs only as a very scarce passage migrant most often recorded in autumn.
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant; formerly bred.
This strange woodpecker is another ant feeder and used to be a scarce resident in orchards and open woodland across the borough. It was lost as a breeding species sometime before
85 going the same way across Hampshire and the UK as a whole. The only population left is occasional breeding in Scotland but a remnant group in Scandinavia. It is assumed that it is this latter population that yields the small numbers that migrate through the borough and as these are declining it is not surprising that the records here are becoming less frequent.
All records are short stayers, but they can be quite confiding. Since 2011, there has been a run of records at the Millfield with records in most years from early September until mid- October.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates minor rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident.
Unlike the vocal and conspicuous sister species, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is inconspicuous for the majority of the year and becomes virtually impossible to find in the in- leaf canopy of its preferred habitat of ancient woodland.
Non-breeding birds can be found in a wider mix of habitats including hedgerows and parks and gardens but nowhere is it common, nor is it predictable in it occurrence.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident.
Great Spotted Woodpecker is our commonest woodpecker and due to its habit of coming to bird feeders in the winter it is a familiar bird in and around towns and villages.
There is little in the way of records to suggest that the population is either growing or falling, yet there is anecdotal evidence that it is doing well in the borough with mature woodland and copses being plentiful and the increased sightings in more marginal habitat.
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident.
The Green Woodpecker needs areas in which it can feed on ants and therefore needs open woodland and heathland. It has also adapted to Parkland and larger gardens and has become a familiar sight in parts of Basingstoke feeding on verges and other grassy areas.
Where the habitat is right they can be surprisingly common and 26 territories counted in Bramley Camp are testament to this. It is also obvious where it occurs, both in its feeding in the open but more so due to the ringing call that gives it its ‘Yaffle’ country name.
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Falcons
With the exception of the Kestrel, all other falcons are scarce in the borough. It is know that Hobby & Peregrine breed in small numbers, and the Merlin is a scarce winter visitor.
The Downs are good raptor habitat and in summer are the best to find Hobby and the winter both Peregrine and Merlins do join the more regular species.
Of national rarities only the Red-footed Falcon has been seen but with an all too brief visit.
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
A familiar species and until recently the commonest raptor in the borough. Its familiarity is no- doubt due to its habit of hovering over roadside verges which make it conspicuous to birders and non-birders alike.
There is some evidence that the Kestrel is not as plentiful as it once was and yet it is still a widespread and commonly seen species.
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant with two borough records.
A male was reported from Cole Henley, near Whitchurch on Jul 30th 1979. A second male was seen over Hatch on the Jun 10th 1996. Both represent typical dates for this species in Hampshire.
A possible reported at Overton on Mar 15th 1992 is a very early record and the doubt expressed by the observer must be repeated.
Merlin Falco columbarius wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
The Merlin is a scarce winter visitor to the borough and mainly to the open down land. They require flocks of small birds to prey upon and are particularly attracted by concentrations of Meadow Pipits and other passerines, the numbers of which have been helped in recent years by the widespread planting of cover strips.
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They occur in low densities and appear to arrive late in the year and move away as soon as the hard weather breaks. The best place to look is the Northern Downs around Kingsclere and most records have come from sites at Ashley Warren, Great Litchfield Down and Hannington. There is reason to suggest that birds are present further West and South in the borough, but so few observers venture to such areas in the depths of winter that records are extremely sparse.
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant.
Hobbies tend to arrive in the third week of April and can be found on migration and during the summer across the Downs and on the lowland heaths, particularly Ashley Warren and Silchester Common. As there are no lowland bogs in the borough we don’t get the concentrations so typical of the New Forest and the Surrey Heaths and sightings of more than a single bird are rare.
There is plenty of suitable habitat for breeding, however there are few proven breeding records and the borough population is probably quite low. Autumn numbers do grow and many are probably incomers from adjacent populations. Immature birds are particularly noticeable spreading panic in migrant hirundine flocks in the early autumn.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce visitor has bred.
Breeding is known to have occurred on the Civil Service building in the centre of Basingstoke in 2000. The female was present post breeding and into the early part of the following year however the building was demolished and unfortunately this pair did not immediately transfer to any of the other high rises in the town. In 2008, another building was used and breeding confirmed.
Since this time it appears that the nest sites have shifted to electricity pylons, especially corner and junction towers, and these are monitored and appear to have good fledging success.
Birds are still seen around Basingstoke, as the high rise blocks are still used as roost sites, but they are best sought on the downs and one of the best places to find them has been on the pylons at Ashley Warren, but they range widely and can almost be found anywhere.
Parrots
Rose-ringed Parakeet is a surprisingly scarce visitor to Hampshire and historically most have been in the north-east of the county including Basingstoke and Deane. It is a common
88 resident in Surry and Berkshire, with the closest large roost in Esher, Surrey that is now reported at over 5,000 birds. The pattern is complicated by other escaped parrot/parakeet species, which are sometime confused with this species.
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri rb?
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce visitor,
Only reported in the early part of the year. It is clear that despite the expansion of this species in Surrey and Berkshire it remains are very scarce visitor to the borough and the maximum that have been reported is two together at North Waltham.
With the popularity of caged parrots there is always the risk that escapees are labelled Rose- ringed when they relate to a host of Conures and other parrots that are commonly kept in captivity.
Shrikes & Orioles
The Great Grey Shrike is the commonest shrike across the county, it remains a rare passage migrant and wintering species in the borough. Elsewhere it is commonest in lowland Heath but it is probably the case that the remaining patches are no longer large enough to be viable winter territories. The birds here are normally found on open down land.
The Red-backed Shrike was lost as a breeding species in the borough in the recent past and this matched a decline Hampshire that then resulted in the last breeding record in 1984. Since then it has remained an irregular migrant, more often reported in autumn than spring.
The Golden Oriole is a very scarce migrant, and with the loss of it as a breeding species in East Anglia it is probably the case that the likelihood of further records has reduced.
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant, used to breed.
The Red-backed Shrike used to be a breeding species in the borough and Hampshire. It previously bred on the Downs close to Overton, on the heaths and the valleys of the Test and Loddon. The last breeding record in the borough was at Overton in 1984, and this represents the last record in Hampshire as a whole. It is no longer a British breeding species and as such the few migrants that pass through are assumed to be from the small population that remains in Scandinavia.
In recent years birds have been limited to autumn juveniles including records at Bartons Mill.
The single modern spring record relates to nr Mapledurwell on the evening of 27th May 2005.
89 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
There have been few records over the years in the borough although both the open down land and the areas of heath are capable of holding migrant birds and small wintering population. Recent records include; A single bird spent the winter of 2003/2004 around Ashley Warren, a location that was also occupied by a much more elusive bird in Jan - Feb 2012. One was mobile and elusive in the area of White Hill/Combe Hole from Feb 20th – 28th 2014. One was near Overton on Apr 2nd 2015. And then at Watership down on Dec 2nd 2015. One was on farmland near Laverstoke from Feb 18th - Apr 9th 2016 at least.
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with two records.
The first borough record since 1950 relates to a bird at Ellisfield on Sep 10th 1975. The other record relates to one heard singing as part of the dawn chorus at 4.30am on Jun 5th 2009 at Plastow Green.
Note should also be made of one of the very few winter records of Golden Oriole in the UK being from Kingsclere on Dec 1st 1947.
Corvids
The corvids are a common and recognisable group found in most habitats across the county. In general terms they are under recorded and provide little interest to the majority of birders. Peak counts and counts of colonial nester show little variance in the recent past.
One exception to this is the Raven. The recent expansion into the county mirrored the earlier progress of the Buzzard being initiated in the Southwest and progressing Northwards and Eastwards. Hampshire records have shown a massive increase in the recent years and this is matched in the borough.
A record of a Nutcracker is the only vagrant species noted.
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident
Jays are common in wooded areas across the borough. Their load calls make them
90 noticeable as does their forays into parks and gardens in the autumn to collect the acorn crop. As with most common birds there is very little information in the population and status of the species. Anecdotally and from Breeding Bird Survey, Jays are doing well.
Elsewhere in Hampshire there is evidence that the local resident population is supplemented by winter influxes. There is no evidence either way of any change in the local population.
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
The Magpie is a common resident and a familiar bird across the borough in all habitats. This is a species that was previously persecuted in keepered areas and still has the public’s perception of being a bit of villain.
The old children’s rhyme suggests that low numbers are the norm and certainly in the breeding season they are normally seen in groups of three to four and occasionally up to ten. However in winter they do form colonial roosts and in Basing/Hatch numbers regularly exceed 30 and have peaked at 44 on Dec 3rd 1995.
Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant with one record.
The only borough record relates to a bird that stayed around the Stoke/Hurstbourne Tarrant area between late Sept – Nov 24th 1969.
This is an irruptive species from Scandinavia and the Alps.
Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
The Jackdaw is a familiar species both in the agricultural areas and in towns where it has adapted to nesting in chimney pots and roof spaces.
As with many familiar birds there is very little data on status and population although anecdotally there has been little change.
Big flocks can be seen in agricultural areas in the winter and the peak borough count relates to a flock of 1500 at Five Lanes End on Feb 23rd 2000.
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Rook Corvus frugilegus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident and probable winter visitor.
Familiar as a bird of agricultural areas, the colonial nesting of rookery are an obvious sight in the lanes and copses around Basingstoke – at least until the leaves are out on the trees.
Historically this is the corvid that is most often seen in flocks in the fields. However this is no longer its sole preserve and small numbers can be found in the parks and industrial estates across Basingstoke and the near environs.
Like most familiar everyday species, the number of records are very low. Most relate to rookery counts or to large winter flocks that must contain immigrants from other areas as they far out strip the resident population.
The peak borough counts relate to flocks of 2500 birds at Five Lanes End on Jan 15th 2000 and the same number at Axford on Jan 3rd 1992.
Carrion Crow Corvus corone RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
Another common everyday species that goes unnoticed by most people, public and birders alike. Unlike the Rook, it nest singly and does form the same size of flocks in the winter. It is a back drop to nearly every birding trip in the borough yet very little is known on the population or movements.
It is true that the population still appears to be healthy and there is no anecdotal evidence of any change in status.
Northern Raven Corvus corax rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce but increasing resident.
The Raven is a recent addition to the borough’s avifauna. It is still a scarce visitor and to date there is no evidence that breeding occurs. However it can be found year round across the borough particularly on down land.
The best places to search appear to be around Highclere and Ashley Warren, but no doubt anywhere along the downs offers suitable habitat. Most records are of single birds/ pairs however flocks have been seen recently and the peak count is 33 seen at Highclere on Mar 31st 2017.
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This increase in numbers and colonisation from the west is being matched in other parts of the county – particularly along the coast and New Forest.
Waxwing
Seeing a Waxwing in Hampshire is a red-letter day and even more so in Basingstoke & Deane. However a recent run of records suggests that it is becoming more frequent and better reported. However Hampshire is still at the far end of any country wide influx and therefore we need big UK totals to push them down across our borders.
Waxwing Bombycilla garrulous wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor,
Waxwing is only an irruptive winter visitor to the South of England and Hampshire is often at the furthest extent of any of the flocks pushed South and West in search of berries. The habit of planting berry bearing trees around business parks and supermarkets has provided food for flocks if they happen to come this far.
In common with Hampshire as a whole the species is less than annual and has usually been in small numbers that stay all too briefly. The recent irruptions have been in early 2005 & 2010, when sightings were concentrated around Basingstoke. Firstly, in February when birds were seen in Eastrop Park and around Tescos at Chineham and then in April when all records were broken with a flock in Houndsmill Industrial Estate that was initially reported as thirty strong rapidly grew day on day to a peak of 150 in early April. In 2010, again birds were first seen around Eastrop Park in January, with numbers peaking at 60 around Chineham in February. The flock was still seen with 25 still present at the end of March.
Since then, a few birds have been seen in most winters, but they are been small numbers and brief visitors with numbers generally 8-12 and for a few days at most.
93 Tits & their allies
Five of these six species are familiar birds in the borough but are generally under-reported. The sixth, the Bearded Reedling, often called a Tit is not related and is actually a type of babbler. It is also a reed bed specialist and therefore it is not surprising that it is very scarce in the borough.
Hampshire remains a comparatively well-wooded county and the ancient woodlands are a key habitat. All tits form the main target species for winter feeding; bird table records from the RSPB/BTO survey show high numbers are present in parks and gardens.
The exceptions remain Marsh and Willow Tit. The more specific habitat demands of these two species mean that they are not as numerous as most tits. Furthermore, there has been an apparent and substantial decline in both these species. It is perhaps hopeful that the Marsh Tit is becoming more regularly reported at feeders across the borough. Willow Tit is rarer still but holds its own in down land woods where Hazel coppice is maintained under mature Oaks. Winter feeding may also be important as records seem to be concentrated in the copses where Pheasant rearing and supplementary feeding also occurs.
Coal Tit Periparus ater RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
Coal Tit is often thought of in association with conifer plantations. Although it is the preferred habitat during the breeding season it is more typical of a wide range of mixed habitat in other times of the year. In most winters, a bird or two will join the roving tit flocks around most of the borough’s woodlands. There is very little quantitative data on the population however with all of the smaller species it is assumed that the recent run of mild winters has pushed the breeding numbers to a relative high.
In recent years, Coal Tits have become regular visitors to bird feeders where unlike the other tit species they tend to raid the peanuts and sunflowers hiding them for later consumption and consequently only giving fleeting glimpses.
Although generally seen in pair or small groups they will form small flocks in harder weather. The peak winter count was 50 at Morgaston Wood on Jan 13th 2002.
Marsh Tit Poecile palustris RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A local resident.
This and the previous species form one of the most difficult identification challenges in the borough and unfortunately has been declining as a species to the extent that it is now amber listed as a species of conservation concern.
It is not as scarce as Willow Tit and being more catholic in its habitat tastes, it is more widely
94 recorded. It can be found breeding up to around 140m contour and therefore in the same woods as Willow Tit but additionally it will visit parks and gardens, particularly in winters when it frequents bird feeders.
Usually seen singly or in pairs, it is rare for groups of birds to be seen although the local maximum was 12 in a large tit flock at Newtown Common on Sep 20th 2000.
Willow Tit Poecile montanus rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A local and declining resident.
Willow Tit is a red data species of conservation concern and one that is declining across the UK and particularly in Hampshire. It is the case that in the borough it does seem that it is still widely distributed. However the pattern of occurrence is clouded by the difficulty in distinguishing it from the more common Marsh Tit. It can also be extremely difficult to see even when it is present.
A concerted effort in 2003 to find Willow Tit around Basingstoke and records were received from over 50% of all down land copses visited particularly where there was an over-storey of ancient oak above coppiced hazel. If this was matched with pheasant rearing there was almost a 100% success rate although the reason for this is unknown unless supplemental feeding holds the key to the continued success of the species.
Since this survey, it is clear that there has been a further decline, but it still hangs on in the Borough. The critical requirement appears to be elevation. Detailed surveys have been unable to find birds below the 130m contour and co-existence with Marsh Tit, at least briefly, has been found in this boundary zone. Partial surveys in conjunction with HIWWT and HOS have shown that there can be multiple pairs in suitable habitat but the needs are still not fully understood.
Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident.
A popular and familiar species across the area. In winter it is the largest constituent of the mixed tit flocks and an almost constant visitor to feeders. In summer, the Blue Tit is a common breeder in most woodlands, copses and gardens – it is the species that people put up nesting boxes for.
In good breeding years, the calling of youngsters is the main sound of early summer in
95 wooded areas. As broods can average eight or nine young there can be a massive post- breeding population until natural mortality redresses the balance.
As with all very common species there are very few counts and reports received, but the local population appears healthy.
Great Tit Parus major RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident.
The Great Tit has a very similar profile in the borough to the Blue Tit. It is a familiar species in woods and gardens in the winter, but due to the larger size it is not so often catered for with the standard nest box and therefore is not so familiar in the summer.
Brood sizes are correspondingly smaller with five-six being the norm, but they are a familiar sight in late summer being, if anything, more vocal than Blue Tit.
Again this is a successful species with a healthy population, yet local counts and reports are few and far between.
Bearded Reedling Panurus biamicus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
The only records are from Barton’s Mill. The first record was a female or perhaps immature male in the company of Long tailed Tits in the reed-bed on Oct 15th 2006. Thereafter birds have been suspected at the same site into the winter and in subsequent years.
Larks
Two species of Lark are resident. In common with the other heathland species, Hampshire is a key county for Woodlark and a few are found in the remaining lowland heath. Populations grew substantially in the late nineties and appear to have reached a plateau. However, it is consistently under-recorded and the last full survey being in 1997, dynamics since this time are a little unclear. Evidence of good population can be taken from its presence in marginal habitats, e.g. down land and edge of agriculture. As a wintering species it remains scarce.
The Skylark is one of the species that has suffered the most due to agricultural intensification. It is still a familiar bird in many habitats across the county but is dependent upon active management to maintain open areas. Again this species is under-reported but retains its strong hold on open down land.
96 Woodlark Lullula arborea rb/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A local resident and passage migrant.
In common with other heathland specialists the range of this species is limited to the remaining areas of the Thames Basin Heaths. It is therefore limited as a breeding species at least to the patches around Silchester and Tadley where up to four pairs nest annually.
The recent phenomenon of Woodlark returning to down land that has been recorded in parts of the South Downs has not happened in the borough, although it probably remains the only hope for an increase in the local population.
Generally, Woodlark is a short distant migrant and they are known to flock on stubble fields and other agricultural areas after they leave the heaths in late summer. A number of birds have been seen to hang around through the winter – records from Cufaude Lane, and other areas have been extended from October through to the following spring.
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The song of the Skylark is fortunately still a familiar spring sound across the Downs. They have undoubtedly suffered in the changes in agricultural practices during the twentieth century and the disappearance of open grassland under winter wheat, but still their range covers the full extent of the uplands across the borough.
The winter flocks do range widely and no doubt include influxes from elsewhere, but they do show the general health of the population. Flocks of over 100 birds are now infrequent where there is winter stubble but persist around Ashley Warren.
Hirundines
Five species of Hirundines are on the Hampshire list of which three are breeding summer migrants and the other two are vagrants. Of these three have been seen in Basingstoke & Deane
Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow are all numerous passage migrants. The tendency of Sand, and to a lesser extent House Martin, to breed colonially means that the health of the population is relatively easy to determine. Across Hampshire as a whole, Sand Martin was last surveyed in 1999 and House Martin in 2015. These results show that there is a continued decline in breeding pairs at the main sites.
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Swallow is familiar species to birders and non-birders alike. Its habit of breeding singly or in loose groups means that is not the subject of counts in the same way as the previous two species. This results in the breeding population being generally under-reported. The only hint of population levels, the post-breeding roosts, suggest that population levels are still healthy.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia sm/PM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant.
Sand Martins are traditionally one of the first summer migrants to appear each spring but as such they are relatively scarce in the Basingstoke area. The borough does not hold any of the monitored colonies of breeding birds and if breeding does occur it is likely to account to a hand-full of pairs. The reason for this is not known, but the supposed lack of undisturbed river side banks in the Loddon and Test could be the reason. Odd birds are seen throughout the summer and they must mainly come from the colonies close by in Berkshire.
It is more plentiful in the autumn as flocks will linger over lakes and in the river valleys. These tend to move off at dusk and we don’t have the large roosts forming that are a feature of the reedbeds on the coast.
The peak local count relates to 40 at The Vyne on Apr 22nd 2000.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous summer visitor and abundant passage migrant.
The Swallow is a recognised harbinger of spring and is part of UK folklore. It is still a common sight across the borough and can arrive before spring has really broken in late March. Spring movement is usually diffuse and bird can be seen across most habitats and will often head south again if the early spring weather turns against them.
They breed widely across most habitats but favour out-houses and agricultural buildings. At most times they will tend to congregate along rivers and by ponds.
In the autumn, larger flocks can be seen as migrants hawk along the river valleys. The peak borough count relates to 593 birds heading south in the evening of Sep 16th 1995 at Black Dam.
Common House Martin Delichon urbicum SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common summer visitor and abundant passage migrant.
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The last of the hirundines to arrive each year, the House Martin is more attached to suburban areas than the previous two species. However, it is not tolerant of the exclusively built up areas and as such is absent from the centre of Basingstoke. It is a semi-colonial nester and the rows of mud-built cup-shaped nests at the eaves of buildings are still familiar in the river valley villages. However this marks a decline that prompted the BTO to survey in 2015. The random selected squares approach showed such a worrying picture that a targeted survey is ongoing through 2016/2017.
The pattern of occurrence is very similar to the Swallow with a diffuse spring arrival and much larger flocks being seen in the autumn. The peak borough count relates to 500 moving south-west over Tunworth in twenty minutes in the morning of Sept 7th 1999.
Bush Warblers
Numbers of our resident Cetti’s Warbler continue to increase year on year, but until there is a further full survey it is impossible to say what the true number of breeding birds are. The run of mild winters was encouraging colonisation along the river valleys especially the upper reaches of the Test, but also around Basing on the Loddon. Certainly there is plenty of suitable habitat to fuel further expansion. The hard winters of 2009-2012 have halted this expansion and it remains uncertain what overall effect this will have.
Long-tailed Tit has moved to warblers under the new systematic list. This is a resident species that is familiar and forms foraging flocks with other Tits. It appears to be doing well in the borough and its catholic habitat requirements obviously help.
Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti rb?/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce visitor, may breed
The first Cetti’s Warbler in Britain was seen in Hampshire in 1961, but it was relatively slow to colonise the county. Breeding only started in 1979 and the population has been centred on the coast. Only through the continuing string of mild winters has the species penetrated the river valleys of the Itchen and the Test to colonise the inland valleys of the county.
In the borough, it remains a scarce bird and a small population has become established around Testbourne, through to Overton and more recently has extended into the Loddon. A singing bird was reported at Bartons Mill during spring 1995, a bird returned to the same area in 2003 and in early 2005 at least three birds were present in the area. Since then they have been found annually although the hard winters of 2009-2012 seem to have pushed back their colonisation of the borough.
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
99 A numerous resident.
Long-tailed Tits are a familiar species seen in flocks either on their own or forming with the other tits throughout the borough. They are relatively catholic in their habitat requirements and can be found in gardens and parks as well as the copses and woodlands.
In recent years, they have increasingly been seen coming to bird feeders during the winter months
As with all small birds, the sequence of warm winters had enabled the population to increase. Despite the period of recent cold spells, they remain a constant part of any birdwatching outing in the borough.
Leaf Warblers
Predominantly considered to be summer migrants, the Chiffchaff is resident in some numbers. In fact, the Chiffchaff wintering is probably due to immigration of birds from northwest Europe rather than local breeders.
The most familiar Phylloscopus warblers are the Chiffchaff and Willow warbler. Both are abundant migrants and although the numbers staying to breed have not been surveyed it is believed the populations of both are stable.
Wood Warbler is on the edge of its range in Hampshire, where breeding is concentrated in the New Forest. In the borough it is limited to a scarce passage migrant although it may have bred in the past as suitable habitat does exist around Silchester.
Only two potential vagrants have been reported, namely Yellow-browed and Radde’s Warbler. Neither sets of records have been accepted and in the latter’s case this record relates to a first for the county as a whole.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant summer visitor and passage migrant.
Although regarded as very similar to Chiffchaff in appearance, the difference in song makes separation relatively simple. This species prefers more open woodland and trees such as birch and scrub species.
Where this habitat is prevalent Willow Warblers are common, and large numbers breed in Carpenters Down, Morgaston Wood and Bramley Camp. It can also be seen in hedgerows and waste ground and in parks and large gardens. The local population appears to be stable
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita SM/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
100 A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant; moderately common in winter.
A common summer breeding migrant and one of the first arrivals each year in mid to late March. Any area of woodland will attract Chiffchaffs and they are a familiar bird across the borough. Detailed counts are few and far between but an indication of breeding numbers comes from 27 breeding territories in Morgaston Woods in 2002.
There is a definite passage in the autumn that can progress late into November. There-after the wintering population is low with a few birds being present along lowland river edges, especially around Barton’s Mill and at Overton.
Siberian Chiffchaff P. c. tristis V A very scarce winter visitor.
Birds showing the characteristics of this sub-species have been reported at Bartons Mill and Black Dam. The Siberian Chiffchaff is a distinct subspecies however forms of the migrant albetinus birds of Scandinavia can be indistinguishable in the field. It was generally regarded that the call was distinctive but it has been shown that eastern albetinus birds will call and respond in the same way as tristis. Doubt must therefore be cast over these and any other claims of Siberian Chiffchaff.
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
Wood warbler is a scarce breeding species in Hampshire as we are on the edge of the UK range. It has never been established as a breeder on the local heaths although probable breeding was recorded during the last Tetrad survey. With a fall in the populations across the Surrey/Hants heaths in general it is unlikely to become so in the near future.
Unlike the other phylloscopus warblers it is rarely seen on migration and it is not surprising that records in the borough are few. The last record was one seen in Morgaston Wood on Sep 1st 2002.
Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with one record
A bird was on private land at Sherborne St John on Dec 7th 2005 and despite extensive searching could not be relocated. This represents the first record for Hampshire and by some time the latest record in the United Kingdom as most are found in September and October.
101 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with three records
A bird was heard shortly before dusk at Black Dam on Oct 7th 1998 and was then again found the next morning with a tit flock before disappearing despite searching. This, or another bird, was seen at Barton’s Mill on Oct 31st 1998. Despite the observers’ high-level of familiarity with this species in each case, neither record has been accepted by HOS.
Two birds were present at the Millfield from Oct 11th 2016, and at least one could still be found on Oct 19th.
Tree & Reed Warblers
All of these species are summer migrants. Grasshopper Warbler is a difficult bird to see except when finding a reeling male, and as this species has almost disappeared as a Hampshire breeding bird. Ringing recoveries at Titchfield Haven suggest that we still have a healthy autumn migration through the county and presumably through the borough. Their invisible habits at this time of year means the lack of records is unsurprising.
Sedge and Reed Warblers are still relatively common, but breeding is localised as expected from their specific habitat requirements. Sedge is more catholic in its tastes, but Reed Warbler needs mature phragmites and is limited to the few reed beds that remain in the borough.
The other records relate to rare migrant species and typical of the skulking nature and the difficulties in identification, most have not passed the scrutiny of the rarities panels.
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with one record
One in the fields west of North Waltham. No other information has been found relating to this sighting. The record has not been accepted by either HOS or British Birds.
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus sm/PM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant.
Unlike the Reed Warbler, the Sedge Warbler is not tied to phragmites and has the potential to be a wider distributed species along the Test and the Loddon. Any waterside tangle with willows or other river side trees may hold a singing bird and where the river banks are not over tidied Sedge Warblers can be found.
102
Good places to find singing birds include Testbourne, Overton, Barton’s Mill, The Vyne and Stratfield Saye. Nowhere are numbers especially high but the greatest concentration of breeding birds are the up to seven pairs at Stratfield Saye.
Migrants certainly pass through the borough. This is noticeable in the spring, when singing birds can be found in a wider range of habitat. For example, it is annual in the car park of Basingstoke Station! In the autumn, birds slip through unreported.
Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus sm/PM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A local summer visitor and passage migrant.
The dependence on phragmites means that the Reed Warbler is a limited to breeding in a few locations across the borough. These include the small reedbeds at Barton’s Mill, Testbourne, Overton and Stratfield Saye, where the population adds up to a handful of pairs each year.
Mention should be made of The Vyne, where the reed bed was five years old before the Reed Warblers considered colonising it. In 2005, there were two pairs present and this has stabilised at three pairs in most years since
During migration, Reed Warblers seem a little more catholic in their choice of habitat and can be occasionally seen singing in scrub and trees close to water.
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant
The only borough record relates to a singing bird reported to the south of Dummer, no other information has been found relating to this sighting. The record has not been accepted by either HOS or British Birds.
Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce summer visitor.
The Grasshopper Warbler is almost extinct as a breeding species in Hampshire and the few records in recent years have been reported from the north of the county, especially within the borough.
Typically it is a species of open woodland and rough ground and until recently most records
103 were of reeling birds on the heathlands, particularly around Silchester.
Breeding has been confirmed at the Millfield and the male typically returns in the last week of April. Breeding success is difficult to gauge, however two broods were raised in 2003 and at least one in each of 2004 and 2005. Since then, it appears that the birds did not return.
Once birds have stopped singing they are incredibly difficult to find. It is known from ringing at Titchfield Haven on the coast that a strong passage occurs though the autumn, yet there are no records in the borough of autumn birds and very few elsewhere in the county.
Scrub Warblers
The “Sylvia” Scrub warblers are a familiar part of the local summer avifauna. However two species are now effectively resident. The Dartford Warbler is a sedentary species with only limited local movements. As with the Nightjar and Woodlark above, it is a key Hampshire species reliant on the lowland Heath. The borough only has a tiny proportion of the county total but the run of mild winters ended in 2009/2010 and this has reduced the local population from an all-time high. The Blackcap must also be regarded as resident, although ringing recoveries suggest that the wintering birds are immigrants from northwest Europe arriving in the borough from mid-November. It remains a ubiquitous breeder across the area.
Although other species have occasionally been recorded in winter the remaining scrub warblers are all summer migrants. Garden Warbler and Whitethroat remain common breeders and in the latter’s case the population appears to have recovered to its pre-Sahel induced population crash of the 1970s. The Lesser Whitethroat is, however, giving cause for concern. Always a scarcer breeder, the numbers in recent years are unclear and showing substantial year-on-year variation. This is definitely one to watch.
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla SM/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant; moderately common in winter.
The Blackcap is a bird of woodland and copses across the borough and it is widespread as a summer visitor. Long term, it is the only Sylvia warbler that has increased substantially in the last thirty years.
It is relatively short migrant with the majority of our breeders wintering on the Iberian peninsula. They are a relatively early migrant with birds appearing in the first days of April and leaving late in October.
The actual movements are masked by the status of wintering birds. Every year a few birds can be seen throughout the winter months. Normally they are found in gardens and parks and particularly near water. Birds can usually be found in Eastrop park and Barton’s Mill unless the weather is particularly hard. Strangely these birds are almost definitely not those that breed in the borough. Ringing has shown that the vast majority of these wintering birds are immigrants from Germany and the low countries.
104 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common summer visitor and passage migrant.
The song of the Garden Warbler is superficially similar to the Blackcap and many records show confusion unless followed up with sight records. It is a species of scrubby open woodland and is particularly common in early developing woodland such as found in Basingstoke Forest/Carpenters Down, Bramley Camp and Morgaston Wood.
In general the species is under-recorded during the summer and particularly during migration. This is most likely due to its habit of keeping out of view but it is a species that is showing a short term decline typical of those that have to cross the Sahara on migration.
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common but declining summer visitor and passage migrant
The Lesser Whitethroat is a difficult species to catch up with in the borough. It has declined to the extent that it is missing across great swathes of the borough and infrequently seen in suitable scrubby habitat, copse edges and hedgerows
In the spring it gives itself away by the short rattling call, but it is more skulking than the Whitethroat and when not singing it is difficult to see. This may to some extent at least partially explain its apparent scarcity.
Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous summer visitor and passage migrant;
Whitethroat can be a common bird in the preferred habitat of down land and hedgerows and it is made to seem even more plentiful by its habit of singing noisily in a short song flight. The species suffered a massive drop in population in the 1970s due to drought in the Sahel region south of the Sahara.
Again there is evidence that the species is in decline and this is probably due to the expansion of the Sahara rather than local changes in the environment in the UK. It is clear that the population is cyclical though and in the last few years the numbers have recovered at least in the borough and it appears to be the commonest of the Sylvia warblers.
105 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident in its Heathland habitat
The Dartford Warbler is dependent upon Heathland with gorse stands and within the borough this habitat is limited to Tadley and Silchester commons. Unsurprisingly nearly all records this resident warbler are from these two sites and the local population is never particularly high due to the limit of suitable areas, disturbance and the continual threat of arson.
In good years it appears that the capacity of these two sites is a maximum of 5 pairs and it must be assumed that in most years even this number is not reached. Certainly the population does fluctuate and can disappear entirely after hard winters.
Young birds will disperse and then can be found in a wider range of habitats. It is probably these that are responsible for the occasional record away from the commons, such as those seen at Barton’s Mill.
Crests
Both crests are resident in some numbers however numbers are swelled by winter immigrants. Goldcrest, in common with other abundant species, is under-reported and the only time that shows considerable local population change is during the regular autumn influx.
Firecrest brightens any birding day, and the numbers across Hampshire as a whole appear to be exploding and finally the local records are also on the increase, not only as a wintering and passage bird, but also the number of breeding pairs. More survey work is needed to confirm the current status.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The commoner of the two ‘crests’, the Goldcrest vies to be the smallest UK bird. As a consequence it is susceptible to cold winters. The numbers were at a peak heading into the winter of 2009/2010, but the subsequent cold snaps reduced the local population.
The Goldcrest is a common local breeder, however it tends to be inconspicuous and when the canopy is in leaf it can be surprisingly tricky to find. In the winter it is a common component of the mixed tit flocks and will occasionally come to bird table feeders.
Like many of the common species it is under-reported and most data is either anecdotal or from the Breeding Bird Survey. It is clear that birds reach the UK from the continent to spend the winter and it is likely that the local population is swollen during the winter by this influx.
106 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla rb/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce but increasing resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Firecrest has been increasing in Hampshire in the last few years and this probably accounts for the upward trend in local records. This appears to be affecting all seasons and more and more records are being returned.
It is know that the species has bread regularly at Weston Common and with the explosion of numbers in similar habitats both to the south and the east, it is clear that full colonisation is only a matter of time.
Many of the more historic records are associated with passage and wintering birds and are widespread across the borough but normally at those sites that often hold other wintering warblers.
Wren, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, and Starling
Wren, Nuthatch and Treecreeper are all common residents in gardens and woodland. They are relatively inconspicuous although Nuthatches have taken to visiting garden feeders. Being relatively evenly spread across the borough they are under-reported.
Starling is under-reported, but the number of large counts in the borough, as in the other parts of Hampshire and the UK, has reduced both in size and frequency. There is concern over the breeding population in the Country as a whole, however there appears to be a reasonable population, albeit at a low density across Basingstoke itself
Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
A familiar bird of woodland and gardens across the borough. It is more often heard than seen and many non-birders know the species and a continued to be surprised that such a powerful voice comes from one of our smallest birds.
Wrens are found in all habitats. After the latest run of mild winters, the population is currently very high and it is rare to venture out and not at least hear Wrens. Typically for such a common species it is rarely reported and most of the information we have is from Breeding Bird Survey transects and from anecdotal comments.
107 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
A common resident of woodland, the Nuthatch is more often heard rather than seen particularly after the canopy is in full leaf. As such it is another species that is unrecorded and very little is known away from the surveyed sites under the Breeding Bird Survey. Birds can be found in parks and woodlands across the borough and the breeding population appears to be stable.
In recent years it has also become a more regular visitor to winter bird feeders and can become quite visible, almost tame in some places. Normally, however, it is a constituent of the winter mixed tit flocks that roam the local copses and woodlands.
Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
A common but unobtrusive species across the woodlands of the borough. The high pitched call can attract attention in the spring but unless it joins the winter mixed tit flocks it can remain difficult to find for most of the year.
It will take well to artificial next boxes, but special triangular boxes are needed and are not often put up in suitable areas.
In all, Treecreeper is another familiar woodland species that appears to be doing well but in fact there is little corroborating information either way.
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor declined in recent years.
Starling is one of the most familiar species in the borough and one that is seen in nearly all towns, villages and agricultural areas. As with nearly every other ‘everyday species’ this familiarity has meant that there are virtually no data on sightings and population trends.
Anecdotally it is clear that the breeding population is still healthy and noisy gangs of adults and young are a common site on lawns and other open areas.
It is also clear that the massive winter flocks of the sixties and seventies, particularly the pre- roost gatherings are not a feature of the borough’s avifauna. It is not certain that the massive swarms were ever seen here but in common with the rest of the county numbers have dropped off as birds from European Russia and the old Eastern Block no longer cross the
108 channel to winter here.
The peak count of recent times is of 850 birds counted at Five Lanes End on Nov 17th 1999.
Thrushes
The familiar residents of Blackbird and Song Thrush are both under recorded and in the latter case, much of the news is bad. Anecdotal evidence suggested that this species has ceased breeding in some areas of the Hampshire, a fact supported by the 2000 breeding survey and its reason for listing as a county BAP priority species. However, the Song Thrush is still a familiar species across the borough as a garden nester in the larger more mature plots; it is in the woodlands and agricultural areas that we know less about. The winter populations of both species are bolstered by an influx of migrants.
The Mistle Thrush is the other breeding species and it is most often recorded in the post- breeding flocks on agricultural land. Breeding is again under-reported although it is increasingly seen in the same urban habitat as Song Thrush.
The Ring Ouzel is a scarce passage migrant more often reported in autumn than spring. In recent years the numbers recorded have seemed to reflect the decline in the UK breeding population.
Both Redwing and Fieldfare are abundant winter visitors. In most years totals show that the Fieldfares tend to be more common. The numbers in the county are dependent upon the severity of the winter and the current run of mild winters has kept the numbers comparatively low.
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
Ring Ouzel are scarce in the county as a whole and are less than annual in the borough. The decline in the British breeding population means that the potential for passage birds is declining and the numbers seen will continue to be at low levels for the foreseeable future.
Most birds are seen close to open ground and on the Downs. They tend to be single birds, short stayers and the spring passage is early concentrating on the first weeks of April and the autumn dates relatively late from October to November. Beacon Hill is a key location and small flocks can be present, the peak borough count is of 11 there on Apr 20th 2007.
Common Blackbird Turdus merula RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
109 One of the boroughs most familiar birds, and one that appears to be doing well. Blackbirds are found throughout the borough in nearly all habitats, but is their abundance in the urban areas that accounts for their recognition by the general public.
They are common breeders and the population appears to be doing well and they certainly are one of the top ten most common birds of the borough.
Unlike the other thrushes they tend not to form flocks, but if the conditions are right it is clear that they will congregate in areas on the edge of copses and on rough open land in reasonable numbers. The peak borough count is 29 at the Millfield during Oct/Nov 1999.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous to abundant winter visitor and passage migrant.
Fieldfare breed in Scandinavia and are only winter visitors to the borough. They tend to arrive slightly later than Redwings and against leave slightly earlier the following spring but often form joint flocks with Redwings whilst they are here.
They are a bird of open farmland and are less likely to be pushed into urban areas if the weather turns for the worse.
The local population is not sensitive to weather in the borough so much as the conditions on the continent and in the east of the country. Hard winters will draw more birds across the Channel and result in a larger wintering population. This also means that we can have a series of arrivals through the winter period.
The peak count relates to a flock of 700 birds at Five Lanes End on Nov 13th 2003, and although this number was exceptional flocks of between 3-500 birds are seen annually.
Redwing Turdus iliacus WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous to abundant winter visitor and passage migrant.
Redwing are generally regarded as a pair with the other winter thrush visitor the Fieldfare, however in reality there are a number of differences that are apparent on closer inspection. It is true that as the Fieldfare they form flocks in winter and appear in autumn and leave in early spring.
They are less tied to open areas and flocks can be found in woodland as well as the open fields. They will also readily move into towns and villages when the weather turns. The planting of ornamental berry bearing trees and scrubs has attracted them into car parks and business parks across the borough.
They will arrive slightly earlier than Fieldfare and the first birds are generally seen in late September and on clear autumn nights flocks can be heard passing over particularly along
110 easily navigable routes such as the river valleys and along the major roads.
Large flocks can form and are often found consorting with Fieldfare and other thrushes. The peak borough count relates to 700 birds seen Hatch on Feb 5th 1996 however large flocks are much less frequent than for Fieldfare.
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Song Thrush remains a familiar and plentiful species in the borough despite the declines elsewhere across the county and country as a whole. BBS returns in Basingstoke show that it is still a plentiful breeding species in a suburban setting. In the countryside it has been more affected. The local prevalence of hedgerows and copses appears to have protected Song Thrush from the worst of the declines seen elsewhere.
Our resident birds are augmented by winter visitors arriving often late in October from the continent. The numbers arriving are dependent upon the weather on the near continent and seems to vary from year to year. It is these migrants that form loose flocks. This marks a change from the almost solitary habit of our resident birds.
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident and passage migrant.
In general terms the Mistle Thrush is noticeably less common than its sister species the Song Thrush. This impression of population is anecdotal but recent survey work has shown that the county wide status of Mistle Thrush is now in decline whilst that of Song Thrush is in recovery.
It is a bird that is more associated with parkland and woodland than the urban habits of the Song Thrush. Its habit of sitting, and singing, from the tops of trees even in the heaviest winds and rain gave it the country name of Storm cock. Pairs seem to show strong site fidelity and can be seen throughout the year in the same location. During the winter there is a small influx from the continent but flocks are rarely recorded. In fact most peak counts appear to be associated with post breeding dispersal in July through to September.
The peak borough count is 62 birds together in Sherborne St John on Aug 22nd 2001.
Flycatchers, Chats & Dipper
Two species of Flycatcher are regular in the borough and both of these are giving cause for concern. Spotted Flycatcher is a visiting summer migrant and breeder and is listed as a Hampshire BAP priority species. Previously regarded as common its decline means that it is
111 heading towards a status redefinition as scarce. It tends to be found in large mature gardens and open woodland but has become irregular across its former haunts
Pied Flycatcher is a very scarce to scarce migrant that has previously bred in very small numbers in other parts of Hampshire. It is only reported once or twice in most years a reflection of being on the easterly edge of the UK range.
Robin is a ubiquitous breeding resident, with numbers in the county being supplemented by winter visitors from the near continent. Generally under-reported it is the BBS plots that show it as one the borough’s commonest species.
The Stonechat is another indicator of the health of our lowland heaths. The numbers appear to have increased and the species has moved to breed in more marginal habitat, such as areas of rough ground and down land.
The only other resident species is the Black Redstart. Numbers of Black Redstarts have always been low but have fluctuated as the derelict land they seek in the UK has progressively been redeveloped. It has been rare in the borough however it has bred by the main station in Basingstoke.
The remaining chats are all summer visitors and are all recorded in substantially larger numbers as migrants. The Redstart breeds close by and there still remains suitable habitat in the borough however it is only recorded as a passage migrant in Spring and Autumn.
Whinchat is a county BAP priority species, however this designation seems to be too late. It last breed in the county in 1998 and since that time the numbers of passage birds has also declined. This is most marked in Spring, where it has become a scarcity, although it is now regular in the autumn at the Millfield.
Wheatear is another species that is teetering on the brink of being lost as a county breeder. Never numerous, it was probably lost as a breeder in 2002. In contrast to the Whinchat, the Wheatear numbers are still high on passage, equally so in spring and autumn. Their decline must be related to more subtle changes in habitat, particularly the reduction in grazing on the Downs.
The last of our breeding chats, the Nightingale has been declining for a number of years, a position typical of the UK as a whole and the reason for its inclusion as a county BAP priority species. It has now got to the point where it is probably extinct as a breeding species and is rarely seen due to it skulking habits on migration.
The Dipper is really a bird of highland streams and the only local records relate to birds pushed onto the chalk fed streams in winter.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata SM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A declining summer visitor and passage migrant.
The Spotted Flycatcher is one of the latest summer migrants to arrive every spring with passage from late April and peaking in mid-May. It tends to nest on the edge of wooded areas and is particularly fond of large mature gardens. As with other areas of the country it is
112 a species that appears to be in trouble in Basingstoke & Deane.
Records are well scattered across the area and yet nowhere is it guaranteed. The best places are in the smaller towns and villages and in the grounds of larger houses. They tend to be inconspicuous, hawking from high in trees and occasionally from telegraph wires.
There is little in the way of autumn passage and local birds disappear between late August and the end of September.
European Robin Erithacus rubecula RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Robin is a familiar species to birders and non-birdwatchers alike. They remain confiding and common across the borough and the affection that most people have for them is marked by the reports of their odd breeding places around houses and out-buildings.
In winter, the local residents are supplemented by birds arriving from the continent. These continental birds are nearly always less confiding and tend to found in the wider countryside.
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with a single record
The only report concerns a single bird seen at Bishop Challoner’s School in 1980s
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos sm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce and declining summer visitor, previously moderately common.
Another species that used to be a regular breeder that now seems to be lost from the borough. It has been postulated that the increase in deer, especially in Muntjac has removed the dense scrub layer favoured by this species.
113 Historically there were two habitat types occupied, the lowland damp scrub along the river valleys and the down land scrub. It has always been commoner in the latter habitat in the borough and was a familiar singing bird close to Basingstoke centre for many years. The strongholds were Bramley Camp and Carpenters Down. In 1980, 21 singing males were reported from Bramley and yet in recent years, perhaps due to problems with access to this army training there have been very few records. At Carpenters Down few singing birds have been found since the new millennium. Those singing birds seemed not to have stayed to breed.
Unsurprisingly for such a skulking species, it is rarely observed if it is not singing and migrant birds have remained very scarce.
European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
An irregular migrant that is seen on slightly less than an annual basis in the borough. The nearest breeding populations are in Devon and Wales and very few of our migrant birds have lingered for any period, although one bird stayed at Kingsclere for over two weeks from May 12-28th 1996.
Typically this species it is more often recorded in spring than in autumn, a position that is the reverse of the occurrence across Hampshire as a whole. Whether this is because of its more elusive habits post breeding – something that is very noticeable on the breeding grounds or whether they migrate on a slightly different route in the autumn is not understood.
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros rb?/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; which has bred.
The Black Redstart is recorded on a less than annual basis in the borough and with no particular pattern to the occurrences. The species preferred habitat is coasts, cliffs and derelict buildings – in London it became synonymous with bomb sites in the post war city.
None of these are particularly common place in the borough and therefore it was a surprise when a pair was found breeding at Basingstoke Railway station in the spring of 2000 & perhaps again in 2002. No doubt the cleaning up of the area and the redevelopment of the town centre since then is a reason why this has not been repeated since.
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus sm/pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce spring and autumn passage migrant.
114
Although Redstart is a scarce breeding species in lowland heath and the accompanying open woodland both in the New Forest and the North-eastern Heaths, it does not appear to have bred in our patches of similar habitat in the borough since 1970. Now, its occurrence is limited to that as a scarce passage migrant and in most years records are limited to a handful in total equally spread between spring and autumn.
There is no real pattern to preferences and birds can be stumbled on almost anywhere both in the town and the county. The assumption is that these are short staying passage birds and that observations reflect where the observers go as much as where to find the Redstart.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce passage migrant.
The Whinchat is likely to have been a local and uncommon breeder in the Downs around Basingstoke in the recent past but now is solely a migrant species that is seen in low numbers.
It is the Millfield that has become synonymous with this species and it is almost guaranteed in late August to mid-September when normally 3-5 birds take temporary residence at the site. Rarely these birds have stayed into October.
It should be possible to find Whinchat across the downs in spring, yet there have been very few records. The last being at Ashley Warren on 2nd May 2005.
European Stonechat Saxicola torquata rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An uncommon and local resident and partial migrant.
The Stonechat is an uncommon bird that appears to form two distinct populations in the borough. The lowland Heath attracts birds throughout the year and they stay to bread in low numbers at Tadley and Silchester.
On the Downs there is a population that appears to be more prevalent in the winter, but it is suspected that they stay to breed in very low numbers, most likely in the area south and west from Kingsclere.
115 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe sm?/PM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common passage migrant, has bred.
The Wheatear was a scarce but regular breeding species on the short turfed areas of the Downs, especially where there was a healthy population of rabbits to provide nesting sites in their disused burrows. The area around Ashley Warren can still attract birds to linger in the spring but breeding has not been proven in recent years, a picture that is consistent with the rest of Hampshire.
Wheatear still remain a familiar sight on the Downs in both Spring and Autumn and single birds can be found in ploughed fields and areas of short turf almost throughout. Occasionally small groups of 5-8 birds can be found at peak times.
Less often individuals can be found in the river valleys and there is also a record of two birds in Memorial Park in the middle of Basingstoke.
Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A single record.
One, a female, was reported and photographed at Rookery Farm, Monk Sherborne between Dec 7th-17th 2013. Unfortunately it had disappeared before any of the local birders were alerted to its presence.
Dipper Cinclus cinclus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor with three records
A single was seen on the Test at Bere Mill near Whitchurch on Apr 17th 1978. The second records relates to one in Kingsclere in March 1980. The most recent record relates to a single bird that took up residence on the stream by the mill at Overton on Dec 13/14th 2003.
Sparrows and Accentors
Two species of Sparrow are resident in the county, although the status of both is giving cause for concern. House Sparrow has been subject of much discussion in the national press and the local position is unclear. Amongst the scant records received are a few indicating decline. This is obviously one to watch. The Tree Sparrow has become a very rare species. Most recently numbers appear to have been increasing in Wiltshire and this is likely to be the recolonisation route –if it does occur.
116 Accentors are a strange group of sparrow like birds, with a single representative in the borough. The Dunnock, or Hedge Sparrow, can be unobtrusive but is common in gardens and farmland throughout. Its dull plumage and apparent lack of show hide an extraordinary life style.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident.
Another famously plentiful species that appears to be in trouble, not only in Basingstoke but across the country. Although its name suggests and reliance on the urban setting it is most plentiful around farm building and on the edge of
towns.
Although there is evident of local decline this is not thought to be as catastrophic as elsewhere in the UK. It is highly site loyal and can be found in the same areas – often the same bush- year round. Yet even a short distance away it can remain very scarce.
Certainly the mix of arable farming and particularly set aside has helped maintain the population around Basingstoke and it is still regular sight. It will form flocks in winter and the peak modern record remains the 127 in Basing on Jan 14th 1996. Whether these numbers are a thing of the past remains to be seen.
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus rb?
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Tree Sparrow is a species that was once a common sight in the borough. Historically there was a major increase in the wintering population around the late 50s and early 60s. The peak borough count still relates to a flock at the old Basingstoke sewage farm that built up from to 200 birds in January to an ultimate peak of 500 on 16th Mar 1960.
However today it is virtually unknown having suffered a catastrophic decline in Hampshire and the south of England over the last 30 years.
The only recent records have been 2 at Frost Hill farm, Overton on Jan 30th 2000 and a couple at Bartons Mill of which one was taken by a Kestrel.
The future hope for the species is limited to a tiny population to the east of the county and
117 more realistically the resurgence in the Wiltshire population that may, with time, lead to a re- colonisation from the west.
Dunnock Prunella modularis RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Dunnock is an unassuming species and for most of the year is relatively inconspicuous. It does have a strong singing voice and is one of the earliest components of the dawn chorus.
The birds are well distributed but are generally seen in low densities where it is uncommon to see anything more than a pair or two at a single location
Wagtails & Pipits
We have three species of Wagtail in the borough, two resident and one as a passage migrant that used to breed. Pied Wagtail is ubiquitous and generally under-recorded away from the large urban roosts that are formed in winter. The continental form ‘alba’ has been recorded. Grey Wagtail is a bird of waterways and it appears to be doing well along the Test and the Loddon.
Yellow Wagtail is in serious decline. A county BAP priority species, it has almost totally been lost as a breeding species. This is in common with the adjacent counties as the species retreats to the midlands – its traditional stronghold. However, as the species continues to pass through in reasonable numbers on passage and a few are seen in both spring and autumn across the borough. Furthermore, it is hoped that habitat management in watermeadows such as The Vyne could offer a place for the species to return to.
There are a total of eight pipits on the Hampshire list and four of these are regulars, Meadow, Tree, Rock and Water Pipit. Meadow Pipit is a familiar resident, where the resident population is bolstered by winter passage birds. It is almost ubiquitous in the county. The Tree pipit is another species linked to our lowland heaths, and is apparently in decline. There is some hope as birds have recently been found nesting in hedgerows and perhaps this move in habitat will signal a turnaround for the species.
The Water Pipit appears remains a rare bird in borough. Although an important species of the inland cress beds in Hampshire, it has never been regular around Basingstoke in what appears to be suitable habitat. With the recent decline elsewhere in the county it appears that it an upturn locally is highly unlikely.
Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A declining passage migrant.
118 There is little evidence that the Yellow Wagtail was a regular breeder in the borough although historically the population was higher in the past and the required habitat of wet meadows and riverside haunts is present along reaches of the Test and the Loddon. The survey of 1986-91 showed possible breeding in the Test and this is matched with historic sightings along the Loddon prior to 1970.
As with the remainder of the county, this species has declined and is currently limited to small numbers on passage. Most are reported as flyovers and they continue to use the river valleys as flyways and therefore are best sought at Barton’s Mill, the Test valley and The Vyne Watermeadow.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
Grey Wagtail are a bird of water side and particularly of streams and rivers. It is a relatively common bird along the Loddon and the Test and breeds in both valleys. It is most easily found on Cress beds and in the ornamental grounds of the large estate houses along the river course such as Stratfield Saye and The Vyne.
The population appears to be bolstered in the winter and birds can be found in a wider range of waterside habitats and can be found around urban streams and parks. They tend to stay in small parties and family groups with 2-4 birds being typical. A count of eight together at Mapledurwell cress bed on Aug 10th 2002 is the borough peak count.
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident, abundant passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Pied Wagtail is a familiar bird throughout the borough be it urban, sub-urban or the countryside. The majority of sightings involve odd birds and pairs although they can congregate where food sources persist, particularly insects in winter.
The main interest in the borough is the large night time roosts that are formed in winter. These roosts seem to be an exclusively urban phenomena and over the years three main sites have been used. Chineham Shopping Centre, the former IBM buildings in the Centre of Basingstoke and also at Oakley. From November to March these site have habitually held hundreds of birds every night and visible movement is noticeable at dusk and dawn as the birds move in and then disperse into the wider countryside. Since the late 90s the Chineham roost moved on and joined with the IBM roost. This latter site regularly held 500 or more birds, the peak count being 758 on Jan 1st 2003. However this site has now been vacated and a new location has yet to be found.
119 White Wagtail M. a. alba pm
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce spring passage migrant.
The continental form of the Pied Wagtail and with a grey mantle these birds are seen regularly in the county during passage. They rarely range inland and the only borough record is a single bird at Testbourne Cress bed on May 7th 1996
However a recent identification paper suggests that in autumn at least White Wagtails are more common than was thought. With the new identification criteria, it suggests that more birds will be recognised and the true population will be understood. At this stage it is too early to tell if this will be proven either way.
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant autumn migrant.
The single borough record relates to a bird that stayed at Silchester from Sep 13-19th 1969.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis rb/WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce resident, numerous passage migrant and winter visitor.
Meadow pipits are a common bird of open areas during the winter months. They are a familiar and widely distributed species across the down lands to the west of Basingstoke and in the stubble fields of arable farmland.
Only a few stay the summer to breed. They are sparsely represented in the remnants of the lowland heaths at Tadley and Silchester. They can also be found in some of their wintering areas on the Downs and farmland.
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis sm/PM
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce summer visitor and moderately common passage migrant.
The Tree Pipit was reliant upon the remnant areas of lowland heath and the population hung on to the new millennium but appears to have been lost in the last few years. Singing birds can occasionally be found in April and May and Silchester/Tadley are the best places to look.
120 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter visitor with two borough records.
The Water Pipit is a scarce bird in the UK, but it has historically been linked to old cress beds in Hampshire. Once found they seem to show strong site fidelity and return year on year. This habitat is found across the borough and yet there have been very few records of this species anywhere.
The records relate to one bird at Conkers Garden Centre, Hatch on Mar 1st 1995 and a single at the Vitacress site north of Hurstbourne Priors on Feb 17th 2017.
Finches
A number of finches are the most familiar of garden birds. Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch are abundant residents that feature strongly in bird table and garden surveys, but are generally under-recorded. The populations of each appear stable and healthy.
Bullfinch and Hawfinch are generally elusive species and the reported status is not representative of the populations. Survey work shows a strong population of Bullfinch. With the Hawfinch, it is clear that is easily missed except in its strongholds. Whether it is resident in the borough is a matter of conjecture.
Siskin and Lesser Redpoll are both more familiar as winter visitor, yet both remain to breed in relatively small numbers. Both are associated with the plantations around Heathland and yet they appear to be experiencing different fortunes. The Siskin is increasing, whilst the Lesser Redpoll seems to be decreasing and may have become locally extinct in the last few years.
Linnet is more a species of the agricultural areas and has suffered in common with many farmland species. It is a BAP priority species and it has undoubtedly been helped by set- aside and stewardship schemes, including the planting of game cover strips. As a breeding species its stronghold now appears to be the borough’s lowland heaths and down land.
The remaining breeding species is the Crossbill. It is certain that it does not breed every year. The county population is centred on the New Forest and it is only after periodic irruptions that it is recorded in the borough. A few may have stayed on to breed.
Of the wintering species, two occur. The Brambling is another irruptive species and in some years flocks of over 100 are recorded. Finally comment should be made on Common (Mealy) Redpoll. It was only split by the BOU from Lesser Redpoll in 2000 and recently considered again to be the same species. This continental form is reported rarely, usually in Lesser Redpoll flocks.
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An abundant resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
121
The Chaffinch is one of Britain’s commonest birds and it is abundant across the whole of the borough. It is catholic in its choice of habitat and can be found in town, village, woods and countryside at any time of year. It nests in relatively low densities and due to it being ubiquitous, virtually no records are received.
In the winter it forms flocks particularly in areas with spilt grain, game strips or beech mast. These flocks include both resident and immigrant birds and it is these winter gatherings that are reported. These regularly exceed 200 birds and the peak count relates to 300 at Linkenholt on Feb 6th 1992.
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla WV
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant.
The Brambling is an irruptive winter visitor from Scandinavia. In many years there are only a few records of migrant and wintering birds and then periodically large flocks can be found. Most will linger where there is either a good crop of Beech Mast or spilt grain, however a few will visit garden bird-tables and one of the authors garden has attracted at least one for the last seven winters.
Large flocks will occasionally form and these include a count of 155 in Chineham in March 1997and over 400 at Hannington in early 2004.
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes rb?
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
An elusive resident most often encountered in winter.
If the Hawfinch is truly resident in the borough there is scant evidence that this is the case. It is a truly elusive species staying high in the canopy and rarely vocal so most records are from odd flyovers and birders bumping into them at well watched locations. During the summer they can be virtually invisible but the research carried out by the BTO suggests that many woods in the South of England do have Hawfinches and there is a strong correlation with mature woodlands that include wild cherry.
As this habitat can be found readily in the borough and there have been tantalising records from Up Natley, Morgaston Wood and Crabtree Plantation it suggests that at worst we receive wandering birds and at best there is a small local population. The run of records from Weston Common, including a winter roost and singing birds in the spring, suggests that this is the best place to look for this species in the borough.
122 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident.
The Bullfinch is a plentiful if somewhat shy resident across the borough most often in copses and other overgrown areas. It most often draws attention to itself with its soft whistling call and in spring it can be quiet visible stripping buds on flowering trees.
At the rest of the time it can be surprisingly elusive and views are often limited to a flash of the diagnostic white rump disappearing into scrub.
It is often found in pairs or small groups of six to eight birds although occasionally this may increase to family groups of a dozen or more.
As with most common birds it is under-reported although it appears to still have a healthy population.
European Greenfinch Chloris chloris RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Greenfinch is a common and familiar species across most of the borough and it is often the most plentiful species at the winter bird tables and feeders. It has adapted well to the sub-urban habitat of Basingstoke itself and the song-flight of the males is familiar sound of spring.
As with many local common species the Greenfinch is generally under reported and there is little data to support a view being made of the population trends.
Away from the urban areas, it is a common constituent of finch flocks on the down land and the introduction of cover strips and set aside have certainly helped the fortunes of these birds in winter. The Peak local count was a minimum of 450 birds coming to roost at Stratfield Saye on Dec 27th 2001.
Linnet Linaria cannabina RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Present throughout the year. A numerous breeder and passage migrant, flocking in winter.
Although, in common with many farmland birds numbers have fallen in the last few decades,
123 Linnet is still a common bird in the borough. The agricultural areas on the Downs attract winter flocks and reasonable numbers of breeding pairs where hedges and scrub are retained. As with all farmland species, where set aside and game strips are planted the species respond and therefore the area around Kingsclere and especially Ashley Warren often holds flock of over 100 birds.
Elsewhere breeding has been noted in low densities in Basingstoke’s business parks. It is assumed that in Daneshill this is due to the run down nature of some of the plots, whilst at Chineham they are attracted by the undeveloped zones between the buildings.
The Linnet remains a familiar breeding species on the lowland heath at Silchester and Tadley, although the small area limits the population potential at these sites.
Lesser Redpoll Acanthis flammea cabaret rb/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Present throughout the year. A scarce breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The numbers of Lesser Redpoll in the borough have declined markedly over the last two decades or so and it is probably now locally extinct as a breeding species. In earlier years it was a scarce breeder on the heaths and associated woodland around Tadley, Silchester and Benyon’s Enclosure. Breeding was last confirmed on Tadley Common in 1995, but probably continued for a few years after as singing birds were been noted.
Even as a winter visitor, the numbers have shown a decline. There used to be mixed flocks with Siskins found on riverside alders and in areas of birch, yet although the Siskins can still be found it is unusual to find Redpoll with them. A flock of 30+ near Sherborne St John in December 2005 were seen feeding on sunflowers on a game cover strip. This gave hope of the adoption of a new habitat use, however it appears not to have been adopted. Now the species is infrequently found and in very low numbers.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll Acanthis flammea flammea V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant winter visitor
The splitting of the Redpoll complex into different species and the recognition of Mealy Redpoll as a separate species was contentious. It was therefore not totally surprising that the 2000 decision was recently reversed. This continental form is a rare visitor to the county and the differences with Lesser Redpoll are not always clear cut, especially in juvenile plumage.
Records of this species are related to winter influxes and it remains are very rare visitor to the borough with 2 records of three birds at Bartons Mill.
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra rb?/wv
124 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce winter that may occasionally stay to breed.
It is clear that Crossbill is not a resident in the borough and it dependent upon the periodic irruptions to arrive here. It is no doubt that this is one species that has benefited from the planting of conifers on the lowland heaths and it is unsurprising that nearly all records come from these areas.
It is not reported in every year and yet with influxes the birds will linger if the cone crop is good and it is possible that occasionally they will stay on to breed although there is no direct evidence of this.
The peak borough count relates to a flock of 82 at South Benyon’s Enclosure on Jan 1st 1994.
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis RB
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A common breeder and winter visitor.
One of the most strikingly plumaged resident species the Goldfinch is instantly recognisable to all. In spring and summer they breed across the borough particularly in agricultural areas, waste ground and the edge of towns/villages, but everywhere in relatively low densities.
It is only in the autumn and the winter do they form flocks and seem to be plentiful although whether this is solely involving local birds or whether the resident population is supplemented by winter visitors is not really clear. Flocks of 20-40 birds are quite often encountered particularly where thistle and set aside is provided. Increasingly they can be attracted to gardens and the increasing use of niger seed as a winter feed seems to particularly attract this species. There has, however been only a single three figure count, with a flock of 100 birds seen at Ashley Warren on Jan 3rd 2002
European Serin Serinus serinus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with one record.
The only borough record relates to a single bird flying south at Tadley on Jul 9th 1985 and heard calling.
EurasianSiskin Spinus spinus rb
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
125
Present throughout the year. A moderately common breeder and winter visitor.
Another local success story and one that is associated with the planting of conifers on the lowland heaths. Siskins are a recent colonist to the borough and they are an established breeder in the woods to the north including Morgaston Wood, Pamber Forest and Benyon’s Enclosure.
In winter they are supplemented by non-breeding visitors from near continent and Scandinavia and they range more widely. Small flocks can be found on waterside alders, including in Eastrop Park, Stratfield Saye and Barton’s Mill. They have also been attracted to garden feeders where they seem particularly partial to peanuts in red mesh bags.
Buntings
All of the local bunting species have suffered massive decline to match with the intensification in farming practice in the down land around Basingstoke. The recent efforts to increase cover strips and set aside areas has occurred too recently to yet show any tangible increase in the local population.
Two species would appear to have become locally extinct. The Cirl Bunting was probably never common and it is presumed that it was lost in the middle part of the twentieth century. The Corn Bunting is the subject of a Hampshire BAP and its loss is more recent and it may still hang on in the west of the borough, as indicated by the occasional winter record.
Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting still hang on and in some winters counts can be healthy on the downs. Both roost at the small reed bed at Barton’s Mill and presumably in similar habitat along the river valleys of the Test and the Loddon. They both breed in the borough and song of the Yellowhammer is a familiar spring sound of the Downs. The remaining two species are noted for their winter coastal distribution and remain vagrants to the borough.
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra rb/wv
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce and declining resident – probably locally extinct.
Corn Bunting have suffered from increasing intensification of agricultural and the change in crop mix around the down lands of the borough. This decline is matched across the South of England and has left the local population close to extinction.
Formally it was not uncommon in prime habitat around Cliddesden, Kingsclere and Great Litchfield Down and the characteristic ‘jangling keys’ song was a feature of spring and early summer. A couple of pairs appeared to hold territory on Ladle Hill in 2014, and this gave some hope of a return to the borough and it now appears that this was a brief return.
A few birds are reported in winter and these can sometimes be found in the mixed finch and bunting flocks that form around set aside and game strips, such as the records in December through February from Ashley Warren during the winter of 2001/02
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella RB
126
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A numerous but declining resident.
In Spring and early Summer, the ‘little bread and no cheese’ song is a familiar sound on the open downs and agricultural areas around Basingstoke. However it is clear that the species has declined as a breeding species and it has suffered the same overall decline as most farmland species in the recent decades.
The planting of cover strips and set aside has proven to be successful in attracting birds to stay through the winter and at the best of sites, e.g. Ashley Warren, over 100 birds can be found in mixed finch and bunting flocks. Although a species not known for appearing at sub- urban sites, it is a frequent component of the winter roost at Barton Mill and is often seen on the edge of Whitchurch particularly on the school playing fields.
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus (rb)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A scarce vagrant that probably bred in the recent past
Prior the 1950s the Cirl Bunting was a familiar sight along the coast and downs from Devon to Beachy Head, and as such it is reasonable to assume that it was familiar enough not to draw comment. Though with hindsight, it is clear that it was a declining species even at that time
Since 1950, this species has disappeared from the borough as it has from the remaining areas of its range. It now only remains in South Devon. The last breeding seems to have been from around Mapledurwell in the early sixties. The last reports seemingly are from the late 70s and early 80s from the downs close to it last Hampshire breeding site near Andover.
With an increase in the breeding population in the UK perhaps this is a species that we can look forward to returning in the future.
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant with one record.
th A single bird was seen on Oct 24/25 2008 at Barton’s Mill. This individual stuck stubbornly to roosting in the private reed bed and offered only fleeting glimpses. It was suspected again on Nov 1st and then again through Dec.
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus RB
127 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A moderately common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
The Reed Bunting has had a changeable recent past in the borough. It is a bird of carr and river edge, rather than true reed beds as suggested by its name. However in winter it is found most often away from these habitats on the Downs and even in gardens where it joins the winter finch and bunting flocks.
The species has experienced the same habit loss driven decline in population from the early seventies that most farmland birds have suffered. It staged an impressive recovery in the early to mid-Eighties that has subsequently turned out to be temporary. Numbers are now low during the breeding season with pairs seen in low densities along the river valleys and where carr and other damp woodland remains, e.g. Overton, Freefolk and The Vyne. In addition they are found on the northern Heaths with breeding pairs noted on both Silchester and Tadley Commons.
Winter does see an increase in the population and birds can be found in set aside and amongst the mixed finch and bunting flocks in the cover strips in places such as Ashley Warren and Cliddesden. Close to Basingstoke centre there is a winter roost at Barton’s Mill that usual holds up to a dozen birds.
Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with a single record
One was a flyover at Beacon Hill on Nov 7th 2007.
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis V
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A vagrant passage migrant with a two records
Migrant birds are almost annual along the Berkshire Downs and so one at Basingstoke Sewage Farm on Dec 10th 1960 and more recently two at Woodgarston Farm on Nov 21st 1993 are not totally unexpected.
128 Escapes
A number of exotic species have been seen in the borough. There a three main types, wildfowl, exotic game birds and cage birds. The main systematic list contains species that arguably belong in this section and the choice is somewhat arbitrary.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis (North/Central America)
A single bird was at The Vyne in May 2011and often consorted with the Fulvous Whistling Duck. It is likely that Sherborne St John was the likely source but as with the previous species it had been kept in Little London as well.
Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocyna bicolor (North America & Africa)
A single bird was at The Vyne in May 2008 and then reappeared in May 2011 and 2012. It is assumed that these are all local escapees as the species is held both in Sherborne St John and Little London, and birds are known to have escaped from the former location.
Emperor Goose Anser canagicus (NW America)
A single bird was at Ashe during Nov 2001 and then again in Nov 2002. Where the bird came from or went in between the records is not known, but as a Pacific coast endemic it must be from a local collection
Lesser White Fronted Goose Anser erythropus (Northern Eurasia)
A vagrant species with six records, most likely to have been feral or an escapee
All of the borough records relate to sighting of single birds across the borough. They could conceivably relate to one individual as this goose is news-worthy and reasonably distinctive.
A single bird was seen at Stratfield Saye on Feb 3rd 1990. This or another bird was seen at the same site on Dec 28th 1995 and stayed here until Feb 22nd 1996. This bird is assumed to be the one re-found here on Dec 29th 1996 and was often found accompanying Greylags.
At other locations, single birds were at Wolverton Park on Apr 4-8th 1996, Sherfield on Loddon on Dec 27th 1998 and lastly at Southington Lane on Dec 27th 1999.
Black Swan Cygnus atratus (Australia)
As with most odd wildfowl in the borough, the Black Swan records relate to captive releases. It is clear that these birds are part of an ornamental collection that has been allowed to become fully winged and free flying.
The initial records related to the Laverstoke estate and it near environs and are all post autumn 2002. Up to seven birds have been seen at Laverstoke and they have ranged as far as Southington Lane and Overton. The bird seen at The Vyne watermeadow on Nov 22-27th 2007 could possibly have been one of these, but there is no confirmation either way.
129 Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana (South Africa)
A female was reported from Stratfield Saye
Wood Duck Aix sponsa (North America)
Although native to North America, this attractive duck is often kept in wildfowl collections in the UK and is it assumed that all the records in the borough relate to captive or released birds. They require similar habitat to the naturalised Mandarin, with damp wooded areas and streams.
A single record of a male at Black Dam on Oct 24th 1995 and a week later at Hatch and a series of records from the Vyne from 2002 to present suggest that one or more birds are free flying in the area. Whether all of these relate to an apparently captive bird in Sherborne St John is a matter of conjecture.
Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys (South America)
A single male commuted between Overton Lagoons and Polhampton during May 1998. Another male has been in the area of Sherborne St John and The Vyne during 2005 to 2007.
Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix (South America)
A male was on the River Test at Testbourne on June 11th 1995.
Chukar Alectoris chukar (Southeast Europe)
It has been well documented that Chukars and hybrids have been released with Red-legged Partridges across the county in the late 20th century. It is therefore unsurprising that a few records exist, despite it being easily overlooked. The last record relates to two birds at Five Lanes End on Apr 29th 1995.
Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera (SE Asia)
The only records relate to a male and 11 female/juveniles introduced into Stratfield Saye Park in 1999. The male was seen on Nov 21st 1999 but since then there has been no reported sightings. It is likely that this feral population has totally died out. However, as this is a rarely seen skulking species in the wild there is a remote possibility of some of these birds remaining.
Reeves’s Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii (China)
The only borough record relates to a male and female seen along the Roman road North of Whitchurch on the Mar 31st 2001 and surprisingly exactly a year later. It is likely that the male seen at Ashley Warren on Apr 16th 2001 relates to one of these birds
130 Diamond Dove Geopelia coneata (Australia)
A single bird was seen with House Sparrows at Basingstoke District Hospital on July 13th 1995.
Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus (Australia)
A very popular small parrot that is kept in appreciable numbers. Free flying birds were reported from the Millfield on Aug 29th 1999 and Winklebury on May 20th 2001.
Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulates (Australia)
The typical cage bird and one that is often left in a free flying state. It is therefore perhaps more surprising for there to be only a single report from the Millfield on Aug 17th 1999.
131 Bibliography
Brooks, S & Lewington, R 1997 Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. British Wildlife Publishing. Rotherwick.
BOU 2011 The British List – The official list of bird species recorded in Britain
Caffrey B, Balmer D & Gillings S 2013 Bird Atlas 2007-11: The Breeding and Wintering Birds of Britain and Ireland British Trust for Ornithology. Tring
Clark, JM & Eyre, JA 1993 Birds of Hampshire. Hampshire Ornithological Society. Hampshire.
Cohen, E & Taverner, JH 1972 A Revised list of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Birds. Oxford Illustrated Press. Oxford.
Eyre, JA (editor) 2015 Hampshire Bird Atlas 2007-2012. Hampshire Ornithological Society. Hampshire.
Hampshire Bird Report (1983 - 2015). Hampshire Ornithological Society. Hampshire.
BIRDS of HAMPSHIRE A Checklist, Edition 1 December 2001. Hampshire Ornithological Society. Hampshire updated March 2017.
Johnson, W (editor) 1931 The Journals of Gilbert White, George Routledge & Sons. London.
Kelsall, J E & Munn, 1905 The Birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, P W. Witherby. London.
Sharrock, JTR 1976 The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. British Trust for Ornithology. Tring
Wingfield Gibbons D, Reid J & Chapman RA 1994 The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991 British Trust for Ornithology. Tring
Citations
As will all books of this nature the authors are merely the accumulators of the wealth of knowledge of a host of field observers of whom anyone of them knows their patch and the birds that frequent it. It therefore falls to us to mention a few of the many who have shared their experience and their records John Clark Keith Betton Peter Hutchins James Andrews Rob Still Malcolm Dixon Doug Kelson Nick Montegriffo Dave Pearson Barry Stalker Mike Wall
All Photographs are by the author with the exception of Smew at the Vyne – copyright Barry Stalker.
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