New Forest Birding

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Wednesday 20 November

A rather late departure for the New Forest as I had a 9.so hearing appointment and road works near Lymington meant that Richard Osman and I did not arrive at Normandy Lagoon on the Solent coast opposite the Isle of Wight until 11.40. On the the hand, a perfect day for birding (and the only one this week) with a dazzlingly bright sun and hardly a hint of cloud in the clear blue sky.  But it was cold with a starting temperature of zero, as in OC, albeit quickly warming up to a maximum of about 8C.

Blackbird, Dunnock and a couple of Mute Swans on 8 Acre Pond as we approached Normandy Lagoon then a couple of Redshank working the water's edge on the sea wall.  A Magpie flew over the neighbouring garden and back on the lake a handful of Little Grebe and the first Little Egret of the day. A Buzzard circled over the trees as we continued along with a passing Carrion Crow overhead.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (left and lower)

Arriving at the main water we stopped to check the inland area and quickly noted the large number of both Lapwing and Wigeon on the islands. To the back  resting flock of Canada Geese then the search for what might be different.  And just beyond the Canada Geese we found our only Turnstone at this site.  A pair of Spoonbills feeding almost in font of us drew our attention and two more were noted.  Lots of Teal in the nearest water and at the back of this pool a lone Curlew and a Greenshank.as  a pair of Pintails drifted away.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (right) with mainly Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Teal Anas crecca

Further away to the right a large number of resting Cormorants and the occasional Black-headed Gull flying over. This area also provided the small number of Tufted Duck and then a couple of resting Herring Gulls.  Just the two Shelduck noted but once at the first corner chance to stop and admire the large, probably well in excess of 300, Dunlins. Checking out the nearby island we found a couple of Ringed Plover and then, at last, the first sighting of Spotted Redshanks with three feeding close to one of the Spoonbills.  No sooner the first seen and we had a fourth and even nearer to us.

Spoonbill with 3 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

From the long sea wall we were able to look back at the massed flocks of Dunlin and then also a Little Grebe and the next two target birds with both a male Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser fishing close together between us and Tern Island. 

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Time to make our way back to the car for part two of day's birding with a male Stonechat happy to pose for us not more than three metres distant.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Arriving at Lower Pennington Lane to park the car at 1.15 pm we immediately noted the many Canada Geese and in front of them a large scattering of Lapwing and about 350 resting Golden Plover. A few Woodpigeon were feeding on the nearby grass and then the first of a number of small flocks of Brent Geese arrived to feed towards the back of the meadow.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Deciding to take an anti-clockwise circuit of the immediate area we stopped to check the water to our right and the northern end of Fishtail Lagoon produced more Canada Geese and a good number of teal.  A Linnet quickly followed by a Pied Wagtail flew over us and then we were able to check out the rest of the damp area before concentrating on the water.  mainly Shoveler near us along with a distant Heron and a single Cormorant.  nearby a small group of Herring Gulls and a handful of Redshank.  A little to the right a pair of Oystercatchers and then, in the bushes next to us, the arrival of both a Chaffinch and a Great Tit.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

We enjoyed a short lunch break sitting on  bench overlooking Butts Lagoon to the south where we noted a pair of Mute Swans and a half-dozen Mallard. Moving on down to the steps up to the sea wall another Carrion Crow overhead and once on the top a lone Dunnock in the nearby bushes to our left. A Marsh Harrier flew over the Old Tip behind us towards Fishtail Lagoon but checking the water we were unable to  find the reported visiting Long-tailed Duck.  (It seemed to have moved on but was recorded as returning around 2.30 pm.) Butts Lagoon then produced a pair of Gadwall.  Once on the sea wall at Butts Lagoon we noted the group of 18 Turnstones foraging on the sea side of the wall and further along an even larger group were resting at the end of the pier. 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Once past the lagoon and overlooking the next lagoon we recorded many more Shoveler along with a few Mallard and Pintail. At the back of the water a few Coot and then near the far end a small island and whilst checking the Shovelers and Pintails we also found a quartet of feeding Snipe.

Snipe Gallinago  gallinago (top right)

Mote Wigeon and Teal to the eastern side of the path along with a quartet of Little Egrets as we made our way back to the car along with a distant Heron. A quartet of Starlings flew over and with many Woodpigeon noted on the fields to our right and we were soon seeing the massed Lapwings and distant Canada Geese along with a good number of Brent Geese.  A Robin pose in a tree watching our progress.  However, the Golden Plover had moved on to pastures new.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Now well after 2.30 as we set off through the New Forest for a short stop at Blashford Lakes on our way home. Approaching our destination we passed small flock of feeding Rooks to our right and then arrived outside the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water at 3.20pm. For our thirty minute stay we had the hide mainly to ourselves and quickly noted the many Coot and Wigeon as, by now, the light started to rapidly disappear.  A number of Mute Swans at the back along with a single Heron and many Tufted Duck nearer to us.  Lots of Cormorants and an island full of Lesser Black-backed plus a handful of Great Black-backed and a smaller number of Black-headed Gulls.

Record shot of the female Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (right) in the fading light

Much nearer to us we found a pair of Goldeneye then both Mallard and Gadwall.  The scope enabled us to find the long-staying female Red Crested Pochard but not the Maccoa Duck.  Just the one Great Crested Grebe seen but we did have both single Egyptian and Greylag Geese towards the back left of the water. Then surprise, surprise as Black-necked Grebe was found towards the Cormorant's favourite perch in front of us and no sooner seen than both a Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser also passed by giving us a good view albeit the light was rapidly fading.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Just time to take the car across to the main reserve car park and a quick walk down to the Woodland Hide where in the disappearing light we managed to catch the late feeders.  Mainly Blue but also Great Tits along with both a Goldfinch and a few Chaffinches. On the ground both Dunnock and Blackbird but the bonus was seeing the disappearing Jay at the back as we arrived in the hide itself.  And so ended a perfect birding day in great company and a finally tally of 58 species.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Curlew Numenius aquata (above) with Magpie Pica pica and Lapwing Vanelus vanelus

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

A few of the hundreds of Dunlin Calidris alpina

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Ringed Plover Pluvialis hiaticula

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (right) with mainly Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Spoonbill with 3 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Titchfield Shore and Canal Path

Sunday 17 November

A few of the 220 Brent Geese Branta bernicla facing the incoming tide

With the long period of dry weather about to end and high tide due by mid-morning, time t make an early morning visit to the Meon shore at Titchfield Haven ion the hope that there might still be some activity on the beach. Driving along Meon Road from Posbrook I can across a flock of over thirty feeding Rooks on the field to my left and quickly followed by a couple of Magpies and the occasional Blackbird.  Arriving  at 8.45 I was greeted by the last "island" of shingle before the whole area was underwater to discover over two hundred resting Brent Geese and, on closer inspection, a few Ringed Plover and a small flock of Sanderling. The scope eventually also picked out a a small number of Turnstone and a couple of Oystercatchers.

Turnstone Arenaria interpress

Moving on to the end of the promenade car park adjacent to the sailing club compound at the side of the harbour, a small number of Black-headed Gulls and many Mallards along with a trio of Mute Swans, couple of Coot and many more Turnstones were on show.  From the bridge I could see a Heron and a large flock of Lapwing inside the nature reserve itself.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Checking the beach before it entered the harbour I found the roosting flock of 29 Ringed Plovers and 31 Sanderling.  Further away across the harbour entrance on the far beach a flock of 25 roosting Oystercatchers.

Roosting Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula and Sanderling Calidris alba

Finally, onto the viewing area where a small number of Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard were on the water with a couple of Lapwing and handful of Black-headed Gulls on the small island.  More Black-headed Gulls and Coots were also on the water along with a couple of resting Cormorant.  Finally, a short drive up to the top of hill and look over the sea from from the cliff top revealed a solitary Great crested Grebe on the open Solent and behind me a quartet of Rock Doves atop one of the houses. 

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (bottom centre) with gulls and ducks

Given it was not yet 10 o'clock I decided to call in at Titchfield Canal on the way back to see if the Glossy Ibis were still about as seen in the past few days.  Walking the canal path east of Bridge Road no sign of the birds but I did record a Buzzard moving towards me and into the trees on my right along with a Magpie further back.  Collecting the small scope from the car I then walked along the canal path from the car park and paused as a female Kestrel passed me and came to rest on the wires.  At the same time a Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" from the trees behind the raptor.

Female Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

The Barn Owl nest hole is gradually coming into view now that the leaves area falling but no sign of the bird.  Meanwhile, on the opposite of the path, Bridge Street Floods held scores of resting Black-headed Gulls and using bins and scope was able to pick out resting Pintails along with many Teal, a few Coot, Mallard and Black-tailed Godwits plus a couple of Moorhen.

Roosting Teal Anas crecca and Pintails Anas acuta

Moving on down the path towards the bridge I also added Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Magpie and a Goldfinch.  Naturally, there were regular sightings of Woodpigeon and even a few Jackdaw in the field to the right.  It was also from this field that the continually calling Pheasant was heard.

Once at Posbrook Floods I discovered very little bird life other than a Heron at the eastern end.  However, scoping the far bank of the exposed water produced a handful of Shoveler and another couple of Coot.  The to the amazement of both myself and a fellow birder, who had seen the Ibises near the horses around nine o'clock where they were chased off by a loose dog, the three Glossy Ibis flew low over the reads from the east and dropped into the deep reeds beyond the water immediately in front of us.  Not only  sighting as the trio circled before descending but, having watched their landing, I was able to pick up the three birds taking cover in the deep reeds. A great end to the morning's biding and as I made my way back to the car a Cormorant few across Bridge Street Floods and a lone Starling was seen on the chimney of a neighbouring house.

The 3 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus coming in to land

Just able to pick out the resting Glossy Ibis left of centre in the reeds

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Great Crested Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

Teal Anas crecca with a couple of Gadwall Anas strepera

Roosting Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula to the left and Sanderling Calidris alba to the right

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Hamble River, Warsash

Saturday 16 November

Redshank Tringa totanus, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola and Dunlin Calidris alpina

A calm, overcast and dull start to the day so out of the house just after 8.30 and across the road, noting the departing Robin, to the River Hamble for a walk up to the conservation area and back. With the incoming water approaching high tide in about two hours lots of waders and Brent Geese being pushed up towards the shore and giving good views in the dull light.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Immediately on reaching the river a number of Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank along with the first dozen Turnstone but also a single Oystercatcher.  Just beyond the ferry landing a pair of mallard, more Brent Geese and a score of Teal.  A little further away a lone Black-headed Gull and the first of the morning's Wigeon.  Finding the first score of Dunlin I also noted the first Curlew of the morning feeding at the shore line.

A few of the many Turnstone Arenaria interpres (at back)

carrying on up the river another Curlew and many more Dunlin, Brent Geese and Turnstones.  A Little Egret to my right and as a Carrion Crow flew over I looked down to find a small flock of Grey Plover.  Indeed, many more were to be found as I made my way up towards the conservation area.

Curlew Numenius arquata

A good sight of the first Greenshank and I caught up with the second near the flooding meadow alongside a Little Egret. Towards the back eight grazing Shelduck whist out on the river itself a lone Great crested Grebe.  A handful of Black-headed and also a single Herring Gull resting on the meadow.  Another couple of Curlew and then the finding of a pair of Ringed Plover towards the back close to more Grey Plovers.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Reaching the conservation area upwards of a dozen Black-headed Gulls and the remainder of both the Teal and Wigeon flocks.  At the back seven resting Heron and even a Magpie resting on one of the posts normally occupied by a Sandwich Tern during a high tide roost.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Making my way back I came across a pair of Rock Pipits foraging the sea wall on the river side and right at the end of the path before heading inland and home a Little Grebe fishing just off shore.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rock Pipit.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Redshank Tringa totanus with Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Curlew Numenius arquata

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Greenshank in background

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Heron Ardea cinerea

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Greenshank in background

Male Teal Anas crecca

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.