Hayling Island

Sunday 23 March 

calm and overcast with a few breaks in the cloud for my short visit to Hayling Island this morning.  With the northern car park full I pulled up in the lower Billy Trail car park next to the travelling refreshment van with the tide well out.  A good-sized flock of about forty Brent Geese on the mudflats along with a number of Black-headed Gulls, a dozen Oystercatchers and a few Redshank.

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Moving on to the main breeding lagoon I passed both Woodpigeon and magpie to find hundreds of noisy gulls taking up territory including over a hundred Mediterranean Gulls with the remainder, apart from a quartet of Herring, being Black-headed Gulls.  Off to the left a lone Little Egret.  Continuing on along the path, a few more Redshank and a single Great Black-backed Gull.

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Once t the top bay next to the northern car park another Little Egret plus a small number of Dunlin along with 45 Black-tailed Godwits, most now in summer plumage, and a couple of Oystercatchers. Off in the main main a single Mute Swan.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Walking back along the now tarmacked main trail both Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff before finally coming across a Robin.  And back at the car and chance for a finally check on the Brent Geese on the mudflats below I also found more Curlew and two Whimbrel.  Time to head back home and both Rock Dove and Jackdaw noticed on the roofs of the neighbouring houses.

Curlew Numenius aquata

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-baked Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Robin, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus (top) with Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus (centre and below)

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Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Friday 21 March 

Picked up just after 8.30 by Richard Osman and off to Fishlake Meadows, Romsey on a cool but calm morning with slightly overcast cloud and hazy sunshine.  Arriving at 9.20 in time to hear and find a number of Chiffchaff plus Robin, Goldcrest, Blue and Great Tits along with  Starling, Carrion Crows, Magpies and Woodpigeons. Ere long we added both Long-tailed Tit and Cetti's Warblers.  A Wren was seen then a distant Cormorant flying over the site.

Moving on down the canal a couple of Carrion Crows passed over along with the sighting of many Woodpigeons. A couple of Dunnocks and a Blackbird on the other side of the water and then the turn towards the back path, where we recorded a pair of Stonechats in courtship display, leading to the left turn to the viewing screens. On the small pool to the left after passing through the gate a pair of Mute Swans accompanied by a pair of Greylag Geese, a couple of Teal and a pair of Shoveler.  A Coot was foraging on the far side of the water. As e moved on down the narrow path a pair of Jays flew across from the woods to our right.

Greylag Geese Anser anser

Arriving at the the viewing screens the first produced a Moorhen and then the larger water a number of Greylag Geese plus a couple of Shelduck, six Pintail, eight Gadwall and a trio of Shoveler.  A Little Egret was hiding in the reeds in front of us and a single Great White Egret flew across the water from left to right in front of us.

Shoveler Anas clypeata (left) and Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

The return walk produced another Moorhen plus many of the smaller birds seen on the way out plus a trio of very high Buzzards.  However, half-way back along the canal path we found two resting Buzzards in nearby trees. Continuing on past the car park and under the road bridge to access the main road, we stopped at the two viewing points to check the birdlife on the main pool.  Gulls included a single Black-headed, eight Lesser Black-backed and a couple of Common Gulls.  Out on the water a good number of Tufted Duck along with a couple of Coots and a pair of Canada Geese.  Two Great Crested Grebes also recorded at the back of the pool along with more Greylag Geese and a dozen resting Cormorants.  Meanwhile, we had a handful of Long-tailed and a couple of Blue Tits foraging in the hedges and trees in front of us.

Female Mallard Anas platyrhynchos with 2 of her 6 ducklings

Back to the car park and having been informed that a pair of Peregrine Falcons had retuned to last year's nesting site atop the tower of Romsey Abbey we made the four minute journey to check out the site.  Fortunately, we were able to have a distant view of the male Peregrine resting atop the ladder leading to the tower roof before it made its departure.  Meanwhile, a half-dozen Jackdaws on the grass below and a couple of Blue Tits in the hedge next to us.  What a way to end the morning an even a pub within a couple of hundred yards to help both refresh and reward ourselves!

Distant record shot of the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus atop the ladder

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

Shovelers Anas clypeata but note the Pintail Anas acuta in the background

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Warsash and Solet Shore

Wednesday 19 March

A five km walk along the Warsash and Solent shores as far as the Meandering Pool and back to coincide with an incoming tide proved most worthwhile with 30 species recorded in the two and a half hours.  Not as cold as previous days with a mixture of cloud and sunshine and plenty of birds to be seen starting immediately with a large flock of Brent Geese and equal numbers in three following flocks giving a cumulative total of 320 individuals.  Feeding with the first flock a number of Black-tailed Godwits and a few Redshank and Curlew plus a single Mute Swan.  And all the time a regular supply of Black-headed and the occasional Herring Gull.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Moving on down to the School of Navigation pier more Brent Geese and a couple of Shelduck along with a small flock of Dunlin.  Just the one Little Egret but a pair of Teal beneath the pier and a handful of Wigeon along with more Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks. Again, many more Brent Geese to be seen on both the open water and mud flats along with a few Oystercatchers.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Once at the Spit the main flock of about thirty Wigeon along with a pair of Ringed Plovers and another Dunlin.  On the Solent itself a feeding Great Crested Grebe.  Walking through the small spinney reach the Solent shore both a Chiffchaff and Blue Tit as well as a singing Cetti's Warbler.

Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula with Dunlin Calidris alpina

And so to the Scrape where I immediately found a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls along with six Pintail and a trio of Mallard.  More Black-headed Gulls, a Cormorant and a trio of Shelduck. Continuing on along the coast to the Meandering Pool a handful of Linnets and a quintet of Skylarks. Once at the pool, a single Heron and Little Egret plus a pair of Teal.  Having met fellow birders at the far end, they directed me to the recently-arrived Long-tailed Duck that was mid-Solent. Time to make my way back to Warsash and home and able to add a pair of Stonechats and, finally, a Magpie to join the previously seen five Carrion Crows.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Pintail, Long-tailed Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Linnet.

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Rambla Almanzora & Vera Playa

Wednesday 19 March 

It looks as if the Arboleas Birding Group finally found some sun for their visit to the Rabla Almanzora and Vera Playa!  Obviously worth the wait having found Kentish Plovers and Little Stints not to mention the Red-crested Pochard and Iberian Grey Shrike.  All the mention of barn Swallows, House martins and Little Ringed Plovers suggest that, at last, thy may also be on their way to dear old Blighty; I'll have to keep my eyes peeled these coming days.  Also pleasing to note that the group continues to prosper with new members and long may it do so.  Good luck and best wishes to all.

Rambla Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 19th March

After many days of rain it was nice to get out and about.  Nigel picked me up from home and Seamus and Linda, near neighbours, followed us down to the ford parking area overlooking the Rambla de Almanzora.  There had obviously been a torrent of water down the rambla as the ford was a muddy mess and much of the rambla vegetation had been up rooted.  Kevin's motorvan was there but he was out.  As we waited we saw Magpie, Goldfinch and Woodpigeon.  By the ford we could see both Green and Common Sandpiper as well as a White Wagtail.  We were joined by a plethora of members.  Richard and Peter 1, Peter and Linda 2, Phil with new members, John and Stella and Trevor.  We saw Spotless Starling and a smart male Serin.  Kevin arrived back from his wanderings.  He'd seen Barn Swallow, Shoveler, Crag Martin, Moorhen, Ringed Plover and Mallard.  Nigel found an Iberian Grey Shrike on a distant power line.  A few Barn Swallows flew by.  A Little Ringed Plover was also seen.

Kevin had been down the beach road and said it had deep gullies across the entrance so we headed to the far side of the estuary.  En route we saw a Collared Dove and a Yellow-legged Gull.  The end of the estuary had been breached by the rain torrent so small waves were entering the brackish waters.  Linda 2 spotted the first of three Sandwich Terns seen.  Peter 2 added a Cormorant.  Birthday boy, Kevin, spotted Audouin's Gull, Little Egret, Sanderling and a Gannet out to sea.  Nigel added a Black-headed Gull.  I had a Redshank whilst Kevin added Kentish Plover and Dunlin.  Peter 1 saw a Grey Heron.  We were joined by Val.

Kentish Plovers and Little Stint (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

As we had a cuppa in Villaricos village we were joined by some House Sparrows.  We convoyed to the dual carriageway which overlooks the shallow waters opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  We saw Kentish Plover with some Little Stints.  House and Crag Martins together with some Barn Swallows were flying in front of us.  Also seen were Greater Flamingos, Shelducks, Black-winged Stilts, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Common Pochard.  Four Grey Herons flew over us.  Nigel found a White-headed Duck while I found a Red-crested Pochard.  Linda 1 saw a Chiffchaff.  Kevin found a Wigeon.

Female White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved to the pool opposite the Aquaparc.  There were White-headed Ducks, Shoveler, Mallard, Common and Red-crested Pochard, Coot and Moorhen so nothing new to the list.  Peter 2 & Linda 2 saw our final bird, a Kestrel.

Male Red-crested Pochard and White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended with 42 species seen.  Great to be out in the sun with good company.

Sending our best wishes to Juda and Les, hoping they improve their health soon.

Regards

Dave

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Hamble River, Warsash

 Tuesday 18 March

Clear, bright and sunny if somewhat cold as I took an early morning walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back at low tide.  Seen off by a Magpie and a trio of Blue Tits in the tree immediately outside the gate followed by a Woodpigeon as I made made my way down the path to the river shore.  A good selection of species around the ferry pier including Black-tailed Godwits (many in advanced summer plumage), Wigeon, Herring and Black-headed Gulls.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Moving on towards the first outlet bay more Wigeon plus Teal and the first of a half-dozen Curlew plus a couple of Redshank. A lone Shelduck nearby plus a further three on the mud flat on on Bunny Meadow.  In a gully next to the causeway inland a feeding Greenshank whilst back on the shore a score or more Dunlin until the whole flock took to the air and probably 80 individuals.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Dunlin Calidris alpina

On the exposed islands no less than four Grey Plovers still in full winter plumage and more Curlew, Teal and Wigeon.  Then the first couple of Brent Geese and by the time I had reached the conservation area then number had reached 41.  A lone Jackdaw put in an appearance.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Continuing on up to the conservation, noting the above Brent Geese, a pair of Canada Geese flew over the meadow from one of the large houses at the back and a couple of Carrion Crows were foraging on the shore.  In the large pool next to the bridge a pair of Mallards and at the back a score of resting Wigeon.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Making my way back I found the second Greenshank and a pair of Oystercatchers on the shore feeding alongside a Herring Gull.  Finally, back near the ferry pier, a third Oystercatcher and, at last, a single Turnstone.

Herring Gulls Larus argentatus with Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Teal Anas crecca (left) with 5 Wigeon Anas penelope

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Normandy Lagoon

Sunday 16 March 

A beautiful clear, sunny day with not a cloud in the sky.  But it was cold and very windy!  Arriving at Maiden lane, Pennington the HOS group had already moved off so , taking and anti-clockwise circuit round Salterns and Oxey Marshes I caught up with the group before continuing on to check out Normandy Lagoon before heading back to Warsash.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Odds and ends rather than groups or flocks of birds so Canada Goose, Coot and Little Egrets picked up on Acre Pond and in Maiden Dock Mallard, Oystercatcher and Curlew.  Approaching Oxey Marsh I recorded the first Black-tailed Godwit along with Lapwing and more Teal.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Once on the sea wall overlooking Oxey lagoon I soon noted far more Teal, Wigeon and Lapwing and out on the water  three distant Eiders and a Great Black-backed Gull.  Looking into the Solent a pair of Red-breasted mergansers headed eastwards over the water and then back to the lagoon where we found more Shelduck and a score of Black-tailed Godwits.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Turning inland a pair of Gadwall on the pond on my left and making my way back towards the Salterns Marsh a single Redshank.  Then it was straight on to Normandy Lagoon where I found very many Shelduck and teal along with Wigeon, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and a lone Mute Swan.  Plenty of Black-headed Gulls on sight plus a couple of Cormorant. Another Redshank and a singe Turnstone before coming across the small Avocet flock as I watched the arrival of a dozen Brent Geese.  Two Little Grebe were fishing out of the main lagoon.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Leaving by the first exit I walked back to the car along the lane but managed to find both a Magpie and Woodpigeon before reaching the road.  Once on the road both a Blue Tit and Robin were seen in the trees alongside.  Finally, passing through Lymington, I came across both Jackdaws and Rooks.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow.

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New Forest Birding

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Friday 14 March

Bright but cold as I headed off to Blashford Lakes arriving at 9.30 to check out Ibsley Water from the Tern Hide.  Lots of ducks on the water but mainly from the centre to back but a good number of Black-headed Gulls nearer to the hide.  The almost flooded island to the front held a few nearby Wigeon and Tufted Ducks with a good number of Shoveler and Teal off to the right.  Checking the water from centre to back I noted many Wigeon and Shoveler but also more Tufted Ducks and a good number of Pintail.  Just the four Mute Swans noted but Coot.  A Great Crested Grebe drifted across the back and then I found the fist of four Goldeneye, all bar one being handsome males.  Finally, a small group of Gadwall.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Before moving across to the main reserve I also noted a single Canada Goose on the bank to my right, a lone Oystercatcher on the island a pair of Mallards in the bay to the left of the hide.  A couple of Egyptian Geese flew across the water from right to left and, way in the distance, the handful of resting Cormorants.

All seemed very quiet in reserve with the Visitors Centre and its toilet facilities still locked and no feeders at any of the feeding stations.  Therefore, very little close activity but Robin, Blackbird and Great Tit were noted.  A couple of Woodpigeons made their way over the trees and there was no shortage of singing Chiffchaffs, Robins and Great Tits.  Basically nothing to see at the Woodland Hide and the Ivy South Hide produced mainly Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Herring Gulls along with more Cormorants and a Magpie.  Again, nothing new at the Ivy North Hide other than a single Moorhen, albeit I did pass a Song Thrush as I walked through the trees.  Moving on a couple of Carrion Crows approaching Ibsley hamlet along with a couple of Jackdaw to add to the Rooks noticed as I was approaching the lakes.

Coal Tit Parus ater

A fifteen minute stop at Cadnam Pond proved very rewarding with both the long-staying Muscovy Duck and a male Mandarin Duck.  Also on the water around the island a handful of Mallard and eight Canada Geese.  The nearby trees held plenty of Chaffinches and a few Robin and checking the trees at the other side if the car park no shortage of many Blue Tits accompanied by Great, Coal and Marsh Tits taking advantage of the offered food.

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Time to also check very close nearby Janesmoor Pond where I found Blackbird, Robin and a Pied Wagtail.  

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Then it was a quick stop just along the road at Eyeworth Pond where ten species were found including a Nuthatch.  Again, more Canada Geese and Mallard on the water and around the feeders a Moorhen along with many Chaffinches, a Robin, Blackbird and Blue (mainly), Great and Marsh Tits.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mandarin Duck, Muscovy Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

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