Warsash Hamble River

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Sunday 8 September

Following immediately overhead thunder and lightening and the heaviest rain I had seen since returning from Spain almost three years ago, the weather eventually improved and the sun came out amongst the broken cloud.  Time to, therefore, take a short walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back just before 1pm to see what might be about with the approaching high tide.  The good news was that the incoming tide had pushed the birds up nearer to the path but, on the other hand, the heavy rain left me trying to navigate around the edges of the large puddles where the rain had multi-flooded the path.  So, noting the waiting Magpie outside the door, I set off for the river.

Herring Gulls Larus argentatus

A number of Black-headed and a handful of Herring Gulls before coming across a Little Egret and then the first of the very many Black-tailed Godwits. A solitary Mallard was also swimming just off shore.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A lone Ringed Plover and then a couple of Redshank before reaching the conservation area.  But there had been many more Black-headed Gulls and Little Egrets, nine of the latter, in addition to the dozens of Black-tailed Godwits.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Once at the conservation area many resting Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks plus four Greenshank.  In addition, six Little Egrets and a quintet of Sandwich Terns resting on the fence.

The five Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

Birds seen:

Mallard, Little Egret, Heron, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Redshank Tringa totanus

Roosting Redshanks T.totanus

More Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

A roosting mixture including 4 Greenshank Tringa nebularia at the back

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