Titchfield Canal and Workmans Lane

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

 Wednesday 30 August

With friend Richard Osman we were at the Titchfield canal car park by 9.30 and, once a quick tour round the spinney at the back, off down the canal side path to the far end of the avenue.  Lovely sunny weather, no wind and perfect for birding. The initial short circuit produced a number of Woodpigeons plus Chiffchaff, Robin, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Blackbird and Great Tit. Once back at the car to collect the scope we also noted a passing quintet of Starling and, of course, the first of the morning's Carrion Crows.

Stopping to check the distant water of the Bridge Street Floods, we had numerous House Martins feeding above whilst on the far side of the "river" a trio of Glossy Ibis.  Just a handful of Mallards, a pair of Teal and the odd Black-tailed Godwit.  However, also walking the shallows was a lone Greenshank and tucked in against the nearside bank a very brief glimpse of an Egyptian Goose.

Very distant record shot of Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

A large flock of Rock Doves was seen on the far side and then approaching Posbrook Floods a quartet of Heron and a Little Egret on the water.  Also present a half-dozen Black-tailed Godwit and a handful of Mallard.  This area not only produced both Wren and Magpie but a single Barn Swallow amongst the overhead House Martins and then a couple of Cormorant flying up river.

Making our way back to the car park we stopped to watch a quartet of Greenfinches busy devouring the now ripe blackberries when they were joined by first a pair of Whitethroat then a female Blackcap.

Greenfinches Carduelis chloris

A last look in the little copse behind the car park and then a drive to the relatively nearby Workmans Lane at the western end of Warsash.  On this occasion, parking at the entrance to the horse field made it worthwhile to carry the scope to the occupied fields where, from the donkey paddock, we not only found a Wheatear, Stonechats and Whitethroat but also a pair of Whinchat.  And as we were about to depart a single Garden Warbler put in a brief appearance in front of us.

Distant record shot of Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

A pair of Barn Swallows cam to drink from the puddle on the path behind me and then a female House Sparrow atop the nearest bush.  Moving towards the end of the track we stopped to watch the numerous Linnets and then a closer study of the main horse field on our right which not only produced very many Jackdaw along with a number of both Carrion Crows and Rooks but, eventually, a couple of Yellow Wagtails.  A most rewarding morning which produced 37 species.

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

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Workmans Lane and Solent Shore

Sunday 27 August 

Lovely birding morning in fine weather albeit slightly chilly during first hour. Starting at the top of Workmans Lane there were Barn Swallows feeding over the fields on my left and a small flock of Starlings flew over as I commenced my walk.  Soon the first of many Woodpigeon and then on down to the horse fields also noting both Robin and Wren with an over-flying Black-headed Gull.  A  Carrion Crow and a Greenfinch before checking out the far side of the field on my right where I could just about make our the small number of Yellow Wagtails feeding around the feeding cows.

As I walked along the bottom of the horse filed first a large flock of at least 40 Linnets passed over then a dozen or more Yellow Wagtails making their way to the horses to the front right of me.  Away to the right a score of resting Jackdaws in a dead tree at the back of the field and a lone Magpie.  Once near the horses no less than four nearby Wheatear followed by a handful of Goldfinches whist a Green Woodpecker was constantly "yaffling" away to my left.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Moving along the back path the bushes provided good numbers of Linnets and Goldfinches along with a couple of Whitethroat before finding the female Redstart.  Nearby a Wheatear was resting atop a short post and on the field behind me another three Wheatears.

Returning to Workmans Lane I carried on down to the shore where I found a resting Black-headed Gull, a foraging Little Egret and three Cormorants resting on the water's marking posts.  On along the coastal path to the Meandering Pool and then, passing through the gorse area, I had not only more Linnets and Wheatears but also a pair of Reed Bunting.

Moulting Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Once at the Scrape most surprised to find seventy Canada Geese on the water and islands along with 24 Avocet, 43 Mallards and eight Black-tailed Godwit.  Continued searching produced a pair of both Teal and Little Grebe plus a single Common Sandpiper. Just the one Coot and Moorhen before starting the long return journey.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypeucosol at the water's edge behind the departingBlack-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa.

No sooner back on the shore than I saw the lone Sandwich Tern making its way up Southampton Water and a nearby immature Herring Gull.  Then back in the gorse area a resting Kestrel and a Starling whilst the Meandering Pool produced a single Greenshank.  Finally, walking back up Workmans Lane a Stock Dove was resting on a horse trough in the horse fields to my right.

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Redstart, Wheatear, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Canada Geese Branta canadensis with Black-tailed Godwits and an Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

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New Forest with Hants Ornithological Society

Saturday 26 August

Good weather when I set off early for today's field visit with HOS (Hampshire Ornithological Society) at Blashford Lakes.  But also early enough to make a slight detour via Fishlake Meadows in Romsey to see if the visiting Osprey was still about.  It was.  Just the ten minute stop to admire this gorgeous raptor along with Great Crested Grebes, Pochard, Mallard, Magpie, Canada Geese and Woodpigeons before continuing on my way west towards Fordingbridge and my eventual destination.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Led by Ian packer we three gentlemen and four ladies had a wonderful morning's birding despite the quietness of season with breeding over and the main migration yet to commence. meeting at the tern Hide I had chance to have a quick look at Ibsley Water before our walk commenced on an anti-clockwise circuit of Ivy Lake.  This quick check revealed lots of Greylag and Egyptian Geese, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Coot and Lesser Black-backed Gulls not to mention the many feeding Barn Swallows over the water and a Pied Wagtail foraging on the shore immediately in front of the hide.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

More Woodpigeons and Barn Swallows as e made our way to Ivy South Hide along with good views of Willow Warblers and once inside a few Cormorant, Black-headed Gulls, Great Crested Grebe and a Moorhen on the water. Then it was ion to the Woodland Hide noting a rapidly departing jay as we arrived.  Lots of tits to be seen from the hide with more Blue than Great Tit.  Also very many Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch plus Robin, Dunnock and a Blackbird.  Then the occasional visit from the local Nuthatch.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Despite the very short, light shower we moved on through the wood to the Ivy North Hide which produced nothing new in the very few birds to be seen before moving across the road to walk on to the Goosander Hide.  This hide gave good views over the eastern side of Ibsey Water and distant views over the back of the water.  A few Coots and Mallards but also the remaining Sand Martins that were using the artificial nesting bank and a number of Barn Swallows.  We thought we had found the visiting female Scaup but, in the end, decided it was more likely a female Tufted Duck.  (However, the Scaup was reported as being present on the water during the time we were present.)  To the left of the hide a close view of the foraging Grey Wagtail.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Our final stop was back at the Tern Hide we were able to spend time checking out the numerous birds, albeit mainly at the back of the water. The small islands held resting flocks of Cormorant, Greylag and Egyptian Geese along with many Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Also on the islands we found many Lapwing plus an Oystercatcher.  At least two Herons and a pair of Carrion Crow.  A Magpie was exploring the nearby bank and over the trees at the far back a handful of passing Rooks.

Mainly distant Greylag Geese Anser anser and Cormorants Phalacrocorax garbo

And as we about to the finish the morning session a Stock Dove flew across the water and minutes later a departing Shelduck so taking my morning's tally to 41 species - and I missed both the Sparrowhawk and Starling!

Male Blackbird Turdus merula

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Osprey, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Jay, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Nuthatch Sitta europaea (on right)

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Workmans Lane, Warsash

Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Thursday 24 August

It seemed like a good time when I left home to take the car to the top of Workmans Lane and then walk my usual clockwise circuit.  rather on the dull side  and cloudy but no wind at all as I set off down the lane quickly recording Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow and Magpie.  Approaching the horse field I stopped to admire a trio of Linnets on the wires above me and then on into the horse field itself.  Moving along the track I found a Whitethroat atop a bush on my right and as I approached the fields on my right to check for Yellow Wagtails and Wheatears  amongst the horses the rain started; not just a spot or two but real rain and me just in my sleeveless and carrying both camera and binoculars.  What to do?  Obviously get back to the lane and at least find some shelter.

Whitethroat

But the rain appeared to be easing so remained a short while before moving on down the now path at the end of the lane towards the shore.  But more rain required a further pause before continuing on.  The pond at the bottom on the left held a quintet of Mallards and with the tide pushing the waders further up the beach good views of the single Turnstone along with 30 feeding Oystercatchers, a half-dozen Black-headed and a couple of Herring Gulls.  Off to my left below Solent Breezes more Herring Gulls along with a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls.  The marker posts just off the shore held a couple of resting Cormorants.

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

With the skies looking like more rain I decided to retrace my step rather than take the very exposed walk along the beach cliff followed by the open path back to Workmans Lane.  Just as well as the next, short shower came as I approached the electricity sub-station.  Whilst sheltering I watched a foraging Greenfinch and once back on the lane itself a stop to watch both Long-tailed Tits and a feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker.  Not a very clear view of the woodpecker as it had chosen a smaller tree covered in tiny branches - as can be seen. 

Can you spot the Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major?

Continuing on up to the car I added both Robin and Great Tit to give a final tally of 17 species in the bare hour including sheltering stops.  Glad to be back in the dry!

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Birds seen:

Mallard, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

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Workmans Lane and Solent Shore to Warsash

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Thursday 17 August

Away by 9.15 with Richard Osman to top of Workmans Lane then walk to shore, via a loop within the Horse Fields, before making our way back to Warsash.  Pleasant birding weather with just a slight breeze and not too hot. 

After the initial Magpies and Woodpigeons walking down Workmans Lane all relatively quiet until we reached the horse fields.  Yes, we had Robin, Carrion Crows and a few Greenfinch but it was the walk along the bottom of the horse fields that produced a number of small birds including Dunnock, Wren, Whitethroat, Linnet and Stonechat.  Then, once in proximity of the horses themselves, at least a dozen Yellow and even more Pied Wagtails.  And as we returned to the lane, a Collared Dove by way of change from all the Woodpigeons.

At the bottom of the lane a half-dozen Mallards resting at the side of the small private pond on our left and time to sit on the rocks for a coffee as we studied the bird life on the beach with the tide almost fully in.  A pair of Oystercatchers and amongst a couple of Black-headed Gulls six very busy Turnstones.  Just beyond an immature Herring Gull was sharing space with the small Black-headed Gull.  Meanwhile on the third marker post out at sea a single Cormorant was taking a rest.

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

So on towards the Meandering Pool with a Common Tern passing us as it headed in the opposite direction.  very little birdlife here, just a pair of Starling and three Mallards.  Then, as we moved on towards the Scrape, a flock of forty Starlings passed over the area and out at sea a quartet of foraging Sandwich Terns close in to the shore.

Fishing Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis 

Moving through the gorse area we found four Northern Wheatear and then it was the Scrape.  mainly resting birds including forty Black-tailed Godwits and twenty Avocet.  Also present a couple of Redshank and four Little Egrets.  A pair of Little Grebes were then recorded and a closer look at the nearest island found a Common Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls along with a pair of Teal and a single foraging Dunlin.  On the smaller island a further Oystercatcher and a pair of Moorhen.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

However, it was as we started off again that we both had a magnificent view of the female Sparrowhawk that flew low past us on the seaward side.  So impressed watching the bird until it disappeared over the gorse and out of sight that I completely forgot about the camera hanging on my shoulder; I just enjoyed the spectacle and memory of the moment.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Very little else to report until we were in the lee of the Spit and the water fully in leaving no exposed area. A lone Rock Dove flew overhead making its way to the trees at the back of the reedbed and on the opposite side of the water first a single Common Sandpiper then a pair of resting Ringed Plovers. In the thick blackberry bushes to our right over a score of House Sparrows were enjoying the soft fruit, as had we at the other end of the beach walk!

House Sparrows Passer domesticus

Birds seen:

Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Overlooking The Scrape

Mainly Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta with Black-tailed Godwits

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with Turnstones and Oystercatcher

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Common Gull Larus canus

Immature Herring Gull Larus argentatus with smaller Black-headed Gull

Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Peek-a-boo Dunnock Prunella modularis

Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

Turnstones Arenaria interpres

Even a Rat Rattus norvegicus put in an appearance!

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