Blashford afternoon

9 Feb - An afternoon trip to Blashford HWT near Fordingbridge - firstly the woodland hide, where after a wait the Bramblings showed up to feed - 5 bird, including 3 smart males. They are fairly confiding here, but as with Bramblings generally are reluctant to sit out in the open. Still much better views than in the average stubble field! Also Siskin, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker present along with some very showy Long-tailed Tits. Then across to Tern hide overlooking the gull roost on Ibsley Water, and within 5 minutes of my arriving in the (very busy) hide the juvenile Thayer's Gull was picked out - a large gull, very pale primaries, rounded head profile, medium tail. A high arctic Canadian species, currently considered a subspecies of Iceland Gull, but this may change. Also present - Caspian (2nd yr) Yellow-legged and Med Gulls. A successful afternoon !