Warsash and Solent Shore

Curlew Numenius arquata

Thursday 21 December

Off down to Warsash ashore and on to the Solent at least an hour earlier than anticipated in order to be back in time for the arrival of granddaughters and their respective children. With the tide only just starting its three hour journey to low tide I was fully expecting to see most birds on the return rather than the outward walk.  Dull, cloudy and very windy hence as many layers as possible this morning.

Passing the shore car park a couple of Pied Wagtails and then, apart from a few circling Black-headed Gulls nothing until I approached the School of Navigation pier where I came across a couple of Woodpigeons sheltering in the large tree to my left and on the water a resting flock of approaching fifty Black-headed Gulls along with a small group of eight Brent Geese.  As always, a small number of Carrion Crows wandering around as they awaited the uncovering of the mud.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

As I approached the Spit a couple of Herring Gulls and more Brent Geese, but not in large numbers, and the fifty pus flock of Wigeon all seemed to resting on the leeward bank sheltering from the very strong wind.  Also note, a couple of Oystercatchers.

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

On down to the Scrape being pushed along by the wind (which obviously suggest that it's going to be a hard slog making my way back!) where I found a half-dozen Pintail along with a trio of Mallard and a handful of Teal.  Just a couple of Herring Gulls and a pair of Mute Swans present as I then continued on down to the Meandering Pool which produced nothing so starting the return walk.  However, there was long perching Stonechat on the wire at the end of the gorse enclosure.

Distant Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Once back at the Spit it was amazing how quickly the water had dropped with the Wigeon now mainly on the water and rounding the bend more Brent Geese along with a couple of Curlew and more Oystercatchers. By the time I reached the pier more Brent Geese, Oystercatchers and Curlews along with a few Redshank.  Even a lone Great Black-backed Gull had arrived and then making my way back to Strawberry Fields the first Robin of the morning to bring the (low) total of species up to 17.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Carrion Crow.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Pintail Anas acuta

Redshank Tringa totanus

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.