Warsash and Solent Shore

Thursday 29 December

Sitting quietly in the study typing up my New Forest report I realised that not only had the forecasted rain not arrived but that the sun was shining - well, trying to shine.  Seemed a pity to be in the house so changed and set off for a walk along the Warsash shore down to the Spit and then on along the Solent shore past the Scrape as far as the Meandering Pool.  It may have been dry and the sun tying to put on a brave face but it was very cold and a strong wind blowing into my face. The tide had turned and was slowly making its way in as first I recorded a trio of Brent Geese and a single Oystercatcher.  Always a Black-headed Gull or two about and ere long I had also recorded my first Redshank.

A few of the Dunlin Calidris alpina

Nearing the School of Navigation many more Brent Geese noted along with both Redshank and Dunlin plus a couple of Curlew.  In addition to the local Black-headed I also noted a dozen Herring Gulls. Inside the ground of the above a single Pied Wagtail.  On the mud a party of six Rock Doves were busy foraging for food and behind me a couple of calling Woodpigeons in the trees.  Looking out towards the outflow from behind the Spit I could see more gulls on the water along with a couple of Shelduck.  Of course there were many Brent Geese and they continued to be present along the whole inland coast.  The Spit inlet itself held a good number of resting Wigeon and all the time a constant movement of Carrion Crows.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Making my way towards the Scrape a single Blackbird and then the almost thirty Canada Geese at the back of the water.  Nearer to me vey many Teal along with a quartet of Gadwall and a couple of Mallard.  A Magpie was moving around at the rear of the water which soon drew my attention to the handful of Pintail resting near the bank at the back.  Soon time to move on down to the Meandering Pool where the only bird present was a Little Egret.  Returning to the Scrape I noted that a Mute Swan and flock of about twenty Pintail had recently arrived.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

So on back towards the home straight and the Dunlins near the School of Navigation had now been joined by 16 resting Grey Plover.  Two Cormorant flew past me and almost back into Warsash itslef when I found a trio of Turnstone.  A final tally of 25 species and it was still bitterly cold even though much brighter and an almost clear blue sky.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola with Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Pintail, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Pintail Anas acuta

Redshank Tringa totanus

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