Meon Shore, Titchfield Haven

A few of the 60+ Turnstone  Arenaria interpres

 Monday 29 April

Approaching the Meon shore at Titchfield Haven along the Meon Road both a Jackdaw and Linnet noted.  Then, once parked up on the front next to the sailing club a few Black-headed Gulls on the shore itself but hundreds on the other side of the road in the reserve itself.  Only a few in the "lagoon" but there was a pair of both Shoveler and Gadwall. beyond the lagoon a single Canada Goose along with the Black-headed Gulls and a pair of Coot plus a number of both Shelduck and Avocet.  A Woodpigeon was resting on the far fence and a pair of Mute Swans on the river.

Crossing the road back to the wall of the harbour, not so much the dozen Mallard but over sixty resting Turnstone with many now coming into their summer plumage. Another Mute Swan in the harbour and a fourth of the visit out on a sand bar just off the water's edge.  Then, as I set off, a Starling on the first house and a couple of House Sparrows at the top of the hill before leaving the site.  Not too bad for a twenty minute stop on the way to Porchester.

Turnstone coming into summer plumage

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Avocet, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling, Linnet

Turnstone  Arenaria interpres

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Avocet, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling, Linnet

Maybe a third of the resting Turnstones Arenaria interpres in the harbour

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.