Acres Down - New Forest

We continue to hold onto this glorious weather and oh my lordie it felt glorious today.  Even managed an afternoon kip in the sunshine that felt so comfortably warm, as I awoke, I was surprised to find that I wasn't actually at home.

What a day anyway.  It was just supposed to be a long stroll through the forest but the birdlife was really incredible.

There was plenty of activity in the woodland, a lot of birdsong including goldcrest and the incessant jangle of siskin always mobile overhead.

There were plenty of highlights that started with a dartford warbler scratching away on top of a gorse bush.  There were stonechat everywhere, a couple of pairs getting prepared for the breeding season.

A single lesser redpoll called as it paused briefly within a silver birch.

We took a route round both sides of the car park at Acres Down.  It yielded much.  At least three woodlark were warming up for Spring.  Not quite in full song, but still enough of their melodic liquid cascade that has to be up there with my favourite bird songs.

Two common crossbill flew over the pines, a red male shimmering in the sunlight as it flew purposefully past.

A firecrest appeared alongside the main track not too far from the car park.  Brilliant birds.

The final treat in the warm sunshine were two goshawk soaring distantly over the conifers in the traditional area.

Butterfly were prominant today with at least ten brimstone on the wing along with two peacock adding to the two red admiral seen yesterday.

The pub afterwards was quite agreeable too.  Spring has momentarily sprung.