Casbrook Common, Romsey

Thursday 9 May

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Following up a lead that Nightingale had been heard at Casbrook Common, a couple of miles north of Romsey, Jenny and I were away by 8 this morning and despite the gridlock on the M27 we were on site by 9.30. What a pleasure and privilege to hear the harmonic and joyful sounds of singing passerines for ninety minutes.  Non-stop from the minute we arrived until we left to return to Romsey itself for a wander around the town centre and enjoy a pun lunch.  But before partaking, we called in for ten minutes at the viewpoint from the main road overlooking Fishlake Meadows and recorded thirteen species in that short time.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Blackbirds, Robins and Chaffinches calling as we entered the common and  made our way up to the nearby clearing which produced that welcoming melody of continuous bird song. Both Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow flew over as we made our way across the open ground to the copse on the far side and as a Cuckoo called from far off too our right we were then serenaded by Wren, Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Making our way through the open copse we recorded first Blackcap and immediately a Garden Warbler.  Both Blue and Great Tits were added to the morning's list as we walked along the open fields at the top, recording more Chaffinches, Whitethroats and Blackbirds.  It was whilst making the return journey that we noted our first Lesser Whitethroat.  However, having come back to the road a little further away (hence seeing both Starling and House Sparrow) and leaving Jenny at the car, I went back to the nearby open space and spent some time listening to the bird calls and obtaining frequent glimpses of the individuals.  This was when, not only did I locate a second Lesser Whitethroat, but also able to confirm the singing Nightingale.

Female House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Standing at the edge of the area beneath the distant trees, I watched a Willow Warbler and Redstart in the tree above me and also, once again, heard both Nightingale and Cuckoo.  Away in front of me a Song Thrush was singing from  high bush.

The nearest I could get to photographing the Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus above my head!

Making our way back to Romsey we stopped for ten minutes to check the main water at Fishlake Meadows from the roadside viewing point and immediately noticed the five Mute Swans, a quartet of Great Crested Grebes and the odd Mallard, Tufted Duck and Coot.  A Woodpigeon flew across the water so revealing the pair of resting Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Greylag and Canada Geese present.  On the far side just the one Magpie but both Blackbird and Great Tit nearer to our observation point.  Finally, overhead as we made our departure, a soaring Buzzard to complete the morning's sightings.

Obscure Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Wren, Robin, Nightingale, Redstart, Blackbird,  Song Thrush, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus taken in Warsash 2023

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