Lower Hamble River, Warsash

Wednesday 20 July

With a temperature drop to the low twenties, albeit an accompanying slight breeze, a late morning visit to the adjacent lower Hamble River, Warsash at low tide confirmed that all was quiet.  Both a Carrion Crow and a Wood Pigeon on the first mudflat next to the river as I arrived and soon looking at the first of almost an hundred Black-headed and a final total of about a score of Herring Gulls.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Working my way upriver I soon added a quartet of Canada Geese and even a pair of Mute Swans on the water.  A total of five Curlews was seen along with  trio of Oystercatchers.

Curlew Numenius arquata

The first of two Pied Wagtails flew across the path and the a pair of resting Great Black-backed Gulls were noted on a grassy hummock towards the water's edge.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarelli

Approaching the conservation area I could see a pair of Heron in the tall grass across to me right and upon reaching my turning point another Heron along with a couple of Little Egret.  However, despite thinking no sign yet of the returning waders and ducks, I then found a flock of 18 resting Redshank.  Just as rewarding was the discovery of a trio of Lapwing when almost back to the path's end along with a Magpie working the car park greens.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

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