Hayling Island

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola with Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Friday 20 September

The hip feeling slightly better I decided to drive over to Hayling Island and observe the birds in the harbour from the car.  Pleasant weather with occasional sunshine breeze but rain expect around midday.  However, upon arriving with the tide just on the turn one a handful of Herring Gulls, a Carrion Crow and a party of 14 Shelduck feeding near the water's edge. So, what the heck, put up with a little pain and walk across to the old "Billy Line" to check out the inland lagoon.  Again, very little to be seen other than a few Black-headed Gulls and six Little Egrets on the beach side empty lagoon.

Having got this far thought there might be no problem walking just a little further to check out the former oyster beds alongside the beach.  A trio of Starlings flew over and then many more Little Egrets with the visit's total finally reaching 19.  A single  Barn Swallow above and then, checking the far side near the water entrance thinking there would sure be a Redshank or two (there was not), I found alone Wood Sandpiper, first of the year, preening at the water inlet with a Little Egret resting on the bank above.  Very distant so only a record shot and then the bird seemed almost headless or cleaning its feet.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Continuing on to the final bed and island lake to the left I found more Herring and Black-headed Gulls along with a single Cormorant and a pair of Curlew.  A quartet of Barn Swallows flew over and I decided to return on the same path.  Arriving back at the last oyster bed the Wood Sandpiper and Little Egret were still present but had now been joined by a half-dozen Shelduck.  Almost immediately the Wood Sandpiper moved off to my left as the water depend and rested long enough to get a good view of its long, yellow legs, white underside and  slightly diffused upper chest area before moving on again and disappearing into a deeper channel.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Finally, reaching the main track along the old "Billy Line", a resting Woodpigeon, a couple of Robins and the same number of House Sparrows feeding on the ripe blackberries.  Just the 90 minutes birding but certainly worth the little discomfort to see the Wood Sandpiper.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Little Egret Egretta garzetta ( above right) and Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (centre)

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Wood Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

More of the the three species

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

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