Spanish Sparrow 6 - Calshot

We finally made it to Hampshire to catch up on the fine selection of wintering rarities, going straight to Calshot for the Spanish Sparrow was a wise choice, the rain had just stopped and the bird appeared and fed in the roadside hedges for 30 minutes before disappearing with the House Sparrows. Only the 2nd record for me after the long staying Waterside, Cumbria bird.

The Dark-eyed Junco at Hawkhill Inclosure was not quite so confiding, in 4 hours i failed to take a single shot and saw the bird for about 30 seconds in total, great bird though and my second North American passerine in 7 days, the 3rd record for me after the Chester and Langham birds.

A quick drive saw us staring into back gardens in Hordle where an adult Rose-coloured Starling was holding territory, good views but to me this type of birding leaves me cold.

The end of the day was spent at Shatterford where the wintering Great Grey Shrike was finally located and showed relatively well, the afternoon was rounded off with good views of 3 Dartford Warblers, it was good to see this species is still clinging on despite the recent run of cold winters.