Warsash and Solent Shore

Pintail Anas acuta

Thursday 31 October

Last day of the month and, having missed the previous four weeks whilst away in Spain, yet to see the return f the wintering Brent Geese, albeit many Wigeon and Teal are already back on the Hamble River and Warsash shore extending down to Southampton Water. So an early afternoon walk down past the Scrape to the meandering Pools to coincide with the receding waters following the second high tide. The time between the repeat high tide and low water is around three hours so a fairly rapid outflowing of water, especially given what I might expect on the return journey.

Leaving the car park are just the odd Black-headed Gull to be seen plus on overflying Woodpigeon. Not until up the incline towards Strawberry Fields before a Magpie seen crossing in front and a quartet of Woodpigeons on the field itself.  Then, on reaching the Navigation pier, the first Redshank on the shore along with a lone Herring Gull and a trio of Pied Wagtails on the roof of the large shed roof holding the stored water craft. From just beyond able to look across the water the entrance to the Spit and note the hundred plus resting Oystercatchers. A pair of Mute Swans were making their way out of the Spit's lee and a couple of Canada Geese flew over.

Redshanks Tringa totanus

The water now ebbing slowly away and turning right to approach the Spit itself a small flock of seventeen foraging Redshanks. A dozen Carrion Crows on the path in front of me which then very much brought me within close sight of the start of the water in the less of the Spit and there, immediately in front of me, no less 27 Brent Geese.  Away to the end of the Spit a lone Cormorant and a better sight of the very many resting Oystercatchers. As I continued up the Spit to its end a further 61 Brent Geese recorded along with 130 Wigeon and a few Black-headed Gulls. Just the one Little Egret but a further two recorded before I set out on the return journey. To my left a House Sparrow followed by a pair of Goldfinches were feeding at the edge of the reeds.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

All quiet then until I  reached the Scrape where I found a further 60 Brent Geese along with  ten Mallard and a dozen Pintail.  Further checking the water produced a Heron and 37 Black-tailed Godwits along with a Moorhen, four Gadwall and 24 Teal. And as I watched a Robin popped up out of the bust in front and rested on a nearby branch.

Pintail Anas acuta with Teal Anas crecca

A Cetti's Warbler was calling and a Curlew noted at the back of the water as I moved on towards the Meandering Pools which only produced a second Heron and ten more Teal. However, having recorded a small flock of Linnet as I passed by the gorse area, a second look at the Scrape did also produce a lone Coot at the very back. Nearer to me a Stonechat was posed atop a small shrub and once back near the Navigation pier a lonely Rock Dove with an apparent wing problem before another couple of Woodpigeon were noted.  Finally, a Dunnock slipped across the narrow path off to my right and with the tide now well out below Strawberry Fields a I observed more Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Curlew along with a handful of Dunlin to give a final total of 32 species for the walk.

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Pintail, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Hose Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Heron Ardea cinerea

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

The resting Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Wigeon Anas penelope

Pintail with Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Teal Anas crecca and Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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