Oriole Birding - New Forest - Day 5 - 13th July 2023

13^th July 2023

Our final morning was meant to be dry and warm but once again it was grey and soon raining again.  We tried Hatchet Pond but once again came away Odonataless and then sat in the van for a bit at Crockford waiting for the rain to pass before giving up and heading to find the hidden Ober Water.  

Nice weather for Swans

Lapwing

Wood Pigeon

The wet heath was almost bone dry but it was a fantastic finale to the trip and the rain held off for us.  Keeled Skimmers, Ruddy Darters and a brief Black Darter were noted but it was White-legged Damselfly that we were after. 

I think all three are Keeled Skimmers

Bog Pimpernel

the pungent waft of Sweet Chestnut was a new experience for the crew

Oops... Round Leaved Sundew again

I have always associated the species with clear running water and was surprised to find it along a barely damp boggy ditch on the path side but there they were as suggested.  There were several Small Reds and a couple of Common Blue-tails and Silver Studded Blues were sitting around waiting for the sun to peak back out.

White-legged Damselfly

White-legged Damselfly

White-legged Damselfly

White-legged Damselfly

Small Red Damselfly

Silver Studded Blue

Chrysops viduatus

Small Purple Barred was noted again in the Heather along with migrant Silver-Ys and it was good to find two immature Raft Spiders - Dolomedes fimbriatus hunting.  Both were off the ground and presumably the youngsters are more arboreal. Whilst trying to work out the chirping Crickets on day one I listened to the call of Large Marsh Grasshopper and was pleased to hear the distinctive clicks coming from the wettest remaining area.  Two adults were seen along with several immatures swiftly followed by a second new species with Bog Bush Cricket.  Long-winged Conehead became our 14^th Orthopteran.

Sparganothis pilleriana

Small Purple Barred 

Raft Spider - Dolomedes fimbriatus

Raft Spider - Dolomedes fimbriatus

Nursery Web Spider - Pisaura mirabilis

Bog Bush Cricket

Bog Bush Cricket

 Long-winged Conehead

The main stream looked lovely but was basically devoid of life

Common Blue-tailed Damselfly

Water Scorpion

Yellow Water Lily

We walked back through the pines where Crossbills were singing on the highest boughs and completely out of view once again and enjoyed a peaceful walk back to the van listening to more Gold and Firecrests.  

What chance did we have with the Crossbills?

A final lunch back at Steff’s Kitchen and then it was time to hit the road after a successful trip despite the weather trying its best to thwart us.