Hamble River, Warsash

Tuesday 1 October   

Lovely sunny start to the day and no wind so put off packing car till this afternoon and took a quick walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back as the tide neared its peak.  As usual, no camera so lots of birds to be seen at close range and in good light!  As a result, all illustrations are from my records library.

As son as I reached the river, having already noticed the local Robins, a Herring Gull and a handful of Black-tailed Godwits plus both Turnstone and Redshank. Moving along past the ferry landing pontoon, I quickly added the many Black-headed Gulls and found plenty more Black-tailed Godwits and yon the remaining island before completely covered over thirty resting Redwing long with a Curlew and more Black-tailed Godwits.  In a ditch on the land side a single Greenshank.  Strange to find  lone Woodpigeon nearby along with a couple of Little Egrets.  And looking into the river itself the head of a Seal poking out of the water to see what was about.  But was it a Grey or Common (Harbour) Seal?  Judging by the large dog-like head with longish snout I suspect a Grey Seal.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

No sooner had I noticed the Cormorant flying upriver than a single barn swallow also past in the same direction.  Just time to find the lone Great Black-backed Gull amongst the resting Black-headed Gulls than a House Martin flew over and upriver along with a further three Barn Swallows. I continued to find more Black-tailed Godwits making my way up to the conservation area plus a second Curlew and more Turnstone.  And in the distance, close to the water inlet a standing Great White Egret.  Long time since I have seen one on the river.  Also in the mix a pair of Oystercatchers and as a Heron flew over my attention was drawn to the back of the conservation area where I found a further five Herons and more Little Egrets.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Taking a closer look at the now almost water-filled conservation area there were 36 Wigeon at the back along with many more Redshank and a single Greenshank.  Nearby a group of 16 Teal and on the main path a group of four Carrion Crows.  Making my way back down the river to home a Pied Wagtail flew across the path and in a garden to the right a couple of Roe Deer.  Both Magpie and Starlings were also recorded as I left the river.

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

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