Hayling island and Farlington Marsh

Friday 27 September

Following an early entry for my dental appointment I was away from Fareham before 11am and straight over to Hayling Island to catch the falling tide.  However, upon arrival it was cold, cloudy and very windy with the incidental light drizzle.  Not to worry, having noted the Herring and Black-headed Gulls in the bay opposite the parking area along with a singe Curlew and a distant Little Egret I made my way to the path up to alongside the old oysterbeds.  On the way, the field to my left produced a couple of Magpies and fifteen Woodpigeon feeding on the grass.

The first are produced a couple of Redshank as a pair of Barn Swallows flew over.  Also moving around a small flock of Starling and a few more Black-headed Gulls.  The next bed found a dozen Shelduck and a Carrion Crow dropped in to see if anything was worth scavenging.

The walk to the final area in front of the lower car park produced a Cetti's Warbler and upon arriving at least a dozen Ringed Plovers, a second Curlew and a trio of Carrion Crows but, in general, all very quiet in the strong wind.  Finally, making my way back along the old railway track to the car park, both a Robin and Kestrel to add to the short list plus a further five migrating Barn Swallows.

Curlew Numenius arquata

After a stop lower down the island a carvery lunch and rest whilst the cloud cleared away and sun put in an appearance, I made my way back towards home with a very short stop at Farlington Marsh.  Nothing seen until I reached the barn (presumably the old viewing centre), where I found the tracks under water and lagoon levels exceedingly high.  Nothing at all on the latter but the water to the left held a number of Coot along with a trio of Moorhen and a handful of Mallard.  I made my way as far along the track as possible (without appropriate footwear) and had to stop within 50 metres but away to my left I could see scores of feeding Ganada Geese along with the "tame" white Goose and its Barnacle Goose friend.  On my side of the track the cattle were well spread and distant so no sign of any Yellow Wagtails but at least thirty Starlings feeding near the beasts.  But, a little to the left, stood a lone Cattle Egret.

Back to the car park and then take the track through the trees to the perimeter path. Both Magpie and Woodpigeon noted on the way and then, below me on the mud to the right, a good number of Black-headed Gulls along with a score or more Lapwing and a singe Curlew. 

Distant Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Curlew behind

A stop at the viewing point produced 120 Coot on the lake to the left and down on mudflats a handful of Oystercatchers and both a Herring Gull and Little Egret. Two further Curlews were seen before a further check of the lake produced a number of Mallard.  At the very back, resting on one of the fence posts, a solitary Buzzard.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

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