After a brief but fruitless search for the Blue Winged Teal on Friday, I resigned myself to the fact that I might miss the bird as I was on duty in the dockyard on both Saturday and Sunday. More than overjoyed then to receive a call from Tony this afternoon letting me know that the Teal had been re-located on IBM Lake. Many thanks to the finder of the bird and to Ian Calderwood for calling us both. Next time I will have my phone 'NOT' switched to silent!!

We arrived early afternoon to find the Teal in company with a few Mallards on the bank of the lake. What was nearly as impressive as the Yank was the turn out of birders. Probably the biggest twitch since the Desert Wheatear on Hayling. It was a veritable feast of HOS members, too many to mention but I did know a lot of the names and faces so I must be doing something right. The bird stayed relatively quiet for the pair of hours we were present. The occasional preen but not much else. We did not see it actually enter the water. That said the preening did produce the odd flash of electric blue to send the crowds into frenzy. That may be overstating it a bit, but it was certainly good to see those wings.

Blue Winged Teal, IBM Lake, 31 Aug 2009

Probably not the best shot you'll ever see, but there's blue in them wings.

Reports then came through of a Grey Phalarope at Farlington. Myself Tony and Dave Ryves (which I’m sure is spelt wrong) proceeded down to the marsh and made our way around to the Deeps. Just before we got there we believe an Osprey which Dave had seen earlier (which was then on one of the islands) possibly flushed the bird. Whilst waiting around we did see both Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear. As we all stood around muttering about the next course of action Tony picked the Wader up in flight as it approached from the direction of the stream. After feeding vigorously at the back of the Deeps it alighted and flew towards the sea wall. Cracking views were had of the bird. The only downside for me was the suns position relative to the bird but I can’t complain. One British life bird and a Hants year tick made for an enjoyable afternoon.

Grey Phalarope, The Deeps, Farlington Marshes, 31 Aug 2009

One word of warning though there was smashed glass in the main car park at Farlington which indicates yet another break in, and when myself and Tony returned to his car; the car next to us which one hour previously had been fine had it’s rear drivers side window smashed in. I did see some books and such on the rear seat. Not sure what had been taken but it serves as a reminder never to leave anything on view in this reserve. The place was packed with people everywhere and still cars are broken into by these scum bags.

Steve Copsey