Exbury, New Forest East

Friday 29 July 

A morning visit to Exbury Gardens near the mouth of the Beaulieu river in the eastern New Forest with Jenny led to a walk round the gardens and ride on the garden train as well as taking note of the birds seen.  Not many and the garden looking dry and in desperate need of prolonged rain even if the sprinklers seemed to be working overtime.  A number of Robins and Blackbirds then a few Wood Pigeon before coming across both Carrion Crow and House Sparrow.  From the train as we passed the pond a sight of the well-grown Moorhen chicks and, following a coffee off down the country lanes to the nearby Solent shore.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Upon arriving the tide was just about full in and most birds seemed to be taking a well-earned rest on the grassy islands.  Mainly Black-headed Gulls and Oystercatchers but we did also fond a single Little Egret and Lesser Black-backed Gull along with a handful of Herring Gulls.  Moving back to Exbury village we then added both Magpie and Chaffinch before an overpass of a trio of Starling.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Birds seen:

Little Egret, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

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