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

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