Weston Shore, Southampton

Wednesday 25 December

What a way to start Christmas day!  A short drive over to Weston Shore at the eastern top of Southampton Water as it meets the dock on a receding tide in calm weather with  hint of breaking sunshine and not too cold.  The hour spent checking the far water with the scope followed by a walk northerly walk along the shore from the car park and back finally produced 18 species in the hour before returning to start on the preparations for Christmas Dinner (but not counting the turkey as an extra species for the day!).

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus with immature Herring Gull Larus argentatus (above) and Carrion Crows Corvid 

corone

The morning stated with over 110 Carrion Crows plus almost as many Black-headed and a smaller number of Herring Gulls foraging along the shore.  Also found were the first of eight Oystercatchers and a quartet of Curlew.  A pair of Mute Swans added to the initial sightings.

Curlew Numenius aquata

Using both scopes we were able to check the far side of the water and near to Hythe pier we picked out the visiting Red-necked Grebe and not so far away a Great Northern Diver.  Also present a couple of Cormorants flying down river.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Moving northwards past us a small group of eight Brent Geese and, once landed, we also managed to find the perching, distant Great Black-backed Gull.  This area also produced a further two Curlew and more Oystercatchers nevermind the many Carrion Crows and (mainly) Black-headed Gulls. It was also interesting to find a total of seven Mallards on the shore.  A handful of Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) joined in the fun whilst atop a tree on the other side of the road in front of one of the tower blocks a resting female Kestrel.

Female Kestel Falco tinnunculus

Making our way back towards the car for the return journey home we came across a distant Woodpigeon, close Blackbird and finally a singing Robin in the bushes to make 18 species in the hour's visit.

Mute Swan Cignus olor

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Carrion Crow.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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