Fishlake Meadows

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilusarbler 

 Saturday 4 Mayfrom

Beautiful sunny morning with almost no breeze as I collected Richard Osman  Park Gate, noting both the Starlings and Collared Doves on his feeders and proceeded over to Fishlake Meadows, Romsey arriving at the car park by 9 o'clock.  We then did a circuit of the reserve before heading under the bridge and up to the main road to take a look at the main water from the viewing areas before heading home almost three hours later; and in time to listen to the Saints away win at Leeds United as a bonus.

Lots of beautiful Yellow Flag Iris Iris pseudacorus on show at the meadow

No sooner had we started along the canal path, with probably over twenty birders already on site hoping to record the recent sightings of both Bittern and Hobby, than we were encountered Chaffinch, Great Tit, Robin, Wren  and Chiffchaff. No shortage of Woodpigeon and the occasional Magpie and then the sound and sight of the many Garden warblers in the area.  And all the time surrounded by calling Cetti's Warblers.  A Dunnock posed for us in a nearby tree and was quickly followed by recording both Song Thrush and Blue Tit.  Over the reserve on the distant water we could see many Mute swans along with both Canada and Greylag Geese.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Continuing along the path, more Garden Warblers and Chiffchaff and then the first of a few Whitethroat plus a female Blackcap.  A Cuckoo was heard away to our left and within minutes we had found the distant, bird resting atop a small, bare tree.

Male Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

No sooner seen that we had four buzzards circling above us and, then, the first light "boom" of a Bittern. Both Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Cormorant flew across the reserve and we were alongside the favoured reed area we found both Sedge and Reed Warblers. Blue Tit, Song Thrush and Blackcap were also seen and then, making our way along the connecting path to tale the final (flooded) path to the screens, we stopped to watch a pair of Tree-creepers in and out of their nest site to go foraging for food. 

Tree-creeper Certia familiaris

The walk along the flooded path produced a pair of Mallard and a couple of Mute Swans and once at the screens the waters revealed more Mute Swans, Mallard, Tufted Duck and a trio of Greylag  and pair of Canada Geese.  After a short rest to take on board some coffee and a light snack provided by Richard, we started out on the return journey and once back on the final path alongside the canal added the first Jackdaw of the morning. Still the continuous calling, and occasional sighting, of the many Cetti's Warblers present, and, in addition to the now almost continuous booming of the adult Bittern, we stopped to watch the Buzzards overhead and, almost at once, noted the three or maybe four Hobby above us along with at least one Common swift.  What a lovely sight and two of our three target birds for the morning now achieved but, sadly, no sight or sound of any Grasshopper Warblers. But we did find a Willow Warbler to make eight warblers seen this morning.

Hobby Falco subbuteo

The final stop overlooking the main water confirmed that there were still some water birds about apart from the Mute Swans, Canada Geese and Cormorants with us recording Tufted Duck, Mallard and Pochard plus a small number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  A Heron and Coot flew past and, immediately in front of us, a handful of House Sparrows were working the hedge apparently seeking out insects.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Heron, Buzzard, Hobby, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Common Swift, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree-creeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Wren Troglodytes tyroglodytes

Tree-creeper Certia familiaris

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilusarbler

Greylag Goose Anser anser

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