Hamble River, Warsash

 Wednesday 8 January

Time for a break and as the expected high winds and heavy rain had not arrived decided at 12.30 I would take a walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area.  Lots of layers on and the camera left behind in the hope that it might coincide with more birds to be seen.  It did, with a vengeance!  Meanwhile, outside the weather was calm and very dull offering poor light and not a single bird seen until I was past the ferry landing stage. Then a few Wigeon along with a Carrion Crow and Redshank. 

Wigeon Anas penelope

Approaching the first bridge a large flock of Wigeon accompanied by a score or more of Teal.  The first of five Curlews was noted as it fed at the water's edge alongside a Grey Plover.  Now the sightings began to come thick and fast albeit in low numbers per species.  A Greenshank on the inner side of the path as I approached the muddy meadow where I also found fifteen Shelduck.  On the muddy beach more Redshanks and a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

More Curlew and Redshank and then, finally, the sight of a handful of Black-headed Gulls and a trio of Brent Geese at the water's edge. Looking to the meadow a Spotted Redshank stood proudly atop the bank not five meters away and giving an excellent view for a great photograph - but no camera to hand!  A single Turnstone landed close by and on the path in front of me the small movement drew my attention to the pipit that had landed amongst the weeds but remained long enough to be identifies as a Meadow Pipit.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

So on to the conservation where excitement and disaster happened almost simultaneously.  First the sighting of a score of resting Black-headed Gulls with many more Wigeon and Teal in the inlet pool with the wooden wreck.  A Kingfisher flew over and landed on the far bank and led me to see the resting Heron amongst the tall grasses while a pair of Oystercatchers were found on the opposite of the pool.  But looking to the river's edge I picked up a quartet of small waders quickly identified as Dunlin bar one, which with its larger decurved beak and longer legs signified a Curlew Sandpiper.  At this point, whilst at the furthest distance from home, the wind picked up and the rain began, a very cold and icy delivery.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

So, time to head back home at the fastest pace and only looking for new species rather than numbers.  Immediately on the river I saw the Mute Swan and then, over half way back to the start of the path, a Rock Pipit flew past me and landed just in front so putting up the eight resting Turnstones.  Finally, a Little Egret in the last channel on the left and as I took the path from river to road a pair of Blackbirds foraging on the path and in the neighbouring hedges.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Kingfisher, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Curlew Numenius aquata

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.