Warsash and Solent Shore

Friday 24 January

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Strong overnight wind and heavy rain had eased by morning and with the improving weather getting even better by lunch time I decided on an early afternoon walk along the Warsash shore and on down to the Solent to reach the Meandering Pools before returning.  Extra layers on for warmth and comfort as I completed the two and a half-mile walk, but with fewer birds than expected in two hours.  Once past the slipway I encountered my first Black-headed Gull of the afternoon quickly followed by both Redshank and Oystercatcher. 

Curlew Numenius arquata

By the time I had reached the School of Navigation many more Redshank and Oystercatcher along with a Curlew.  Just before the pier I found a score of Brent Geese and, on the other side almost under the pier, a handful of Wigeon and Teal.  Continuing on down to the Spit with the tide now over two hours on its inward journey, the first large group of Black-headed plus a few Herring Gulls.  A Carrion Crow rested on a fence.  this first part of the continuing walk produced many more Redshank feeding at the water's edge and once round the corner heading directly to the Spit I could look across the mudflats and find more gulls plus about fifteen Dunlin and and a handful of Grey Plover.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

On the water leading to the other side of the Spit a few dozen Wigeon plus another dozen Teal along with a couple more Curlew.  A Ringed Plover flew over this water to the far side and once I reached the end of the path I could see that the sea had yet to cover the mudbank on the sea side of the Spit so producing scores of Oystercatchers, dozens of Carrion Crows and more Herring Gulls.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Reaching the Scrape I was amazed to discover that not a single bird was present even if the high water had covered most of the islands. So, on down towards the gorse area where I found a couple of Magpie and a Skylark took off from the grass on my right.  taking a rest on the seat overlooking the deserted Scrape, I found a single Mute Swan in the  channel and later a passing pair of Mallard.  However, very pleasant to see the arrival of a Fox who stopped, looked at me for a while before deciding no food here and wandered back up the entrance path.  Nothing to be seen either passing through the gorse or at the Meandering Pools so a question of about turn and start on the return journey.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

As I came back along the Solent shore the occasional passing Herring Gull and a handful of departing Turnstones before seeing the a lone Cormorant making its way south as I reached the Spit.  It looked like it was going to be a very bird-short visit until I got back to the small pool next to the School of Navigation.  Having found the foraging Greenshank I had no sooner started my departure than I came across a trio of Moorhens on the grass next to the pond. 

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Finally, making my way up towards Strawberry Fields, a Kestrel flying overhead and then a lone Woodpigeon high in a tree next to the narrow path.  Was that the end?  No. Reaching the front car park a Meadow Pipit was resting on the wall separating the slipway from the car park and as it moved away so a Pied Wagtail wandered casually along between the seats to enable me to finally with 24 species for the walk.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Teal Anas crecca

Wigeon Anas penelope

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