Titchfield Canal

Saturday 3 February

Dry and cloudy with a hint of brightness as I headed off to Titchfield canal for a 9 o'clock start in my search for the recently arrived Ferruginous Duck plus the long-staying Glossy Ibis.  And not only successful on both counts but the morning's total of 39 species also included the local Barn Owl and Buzzard but also a preening Egyptian Goose and a passing pair of Raven.  But on this occasion no sign of any Lapwing.

Mainly Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula but note the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at centre back with a single Common Pochard Aythya ferina in front

Upon arrival immediate sightings of both Robin and Blackbird in the car park and then a couple of Woodpigeon as I made my way down the path to check out the Barn Owl nest site.  Yes, the Barn Owl on show but soon retreated down into its nest when a pair of Buzzards passed with feet of the resting bird.

Barn Owl Tyto alba

The water on the other side of the path held a couple of Mute Swans along with mainly Wigeon but also Shoveler, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall and Coot.  Just a handful of Canada Geese but many Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls.  At the far end a single Egyptian Goose was preening itself on the far bank. Moving on down to the Posbrook Floods a few Carrion Crows passed over and I found a small party of feeding Long-tailed Tits.  The horse field to my right held a large mixed flock of feeding corvids, mainly Jackdaws but also a handful of Carrion Crows and at east eight Rooks.

Teal Anas crecca

Once at the avenue a number of Blue and Great Tits along with Robins and Blackbirds were recorded and then a long study of the water itself.  Another six Mute Swans and a few Coot but the ducks seemed to be equally represented by, mainly, Shoveler and Pintail.  However, the main Canada Geese were in residence totalling over seventy individuals including one with a completely white head, plus three Greylag geese.  A lone Little Egret was also feeding at the far end of the water and on the far side from my viewpoint at least three Little Grebe.  But where was the reported Ferruginous Duck that arrived two days ago?  Searching revealed one of the long-staying Glossy Ibis but no Ferruginous Duck. Finally, the Ferruginous Duck put in an appearance with the Tufted Ducks and a single Common Pochard as the flock paddled towards the centre of the long water. Given that at my local site when in Spain, the Charca de Suarez in Motril, the Ferruginous Duck and Pochard often inter-bred, had the pair on the water arrived to together or merely a coincidence?

Canada Geese Branta canadensis with Mute Swan Cygnus olor and Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula plus the single Common Pochard Aythya ferina

Back to the car park as two Raven passed overhead and in a large tree behind the cars a Song Thrush. Straight over the road and along the canal path past the horse stables recording more Robins, Blackbird and both Blue and Great Tits towards the footbridge leading to the church.  On my right four Moorhen then a Magpie with three more back at the stables.  A handful of Mallards and a few Teal making use of the standing water when followed the arrival of a pair of Pied Wagtail to the damp ground. And so back to the car park for the return journey home and as I arrived I was greeted by a singing Song Thrush in the tree at the entrance to said car park, so giving a finally tally of 39 species.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Owl, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling.

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