The Titchfields and Weston Shore, Southamton

Friday 7 February

Collected just before 9 by Richard and straight off to the Meon Shore at Titchfield Haven to make us of the free parking before 10am to check both the sea and neighbouring habitats. Dull and cold would be an understatement with the bitingly cold wind but we persevered and after noting the Pied Wagtail on the road parking alongside us we headed off to view both the Solent and main lagoon from the road.  In the far distant reserve scrape we could see a trio of Spoonbill and a pair of Shelduck whilst on the shore a few Herring and a Great Black-backed Gull plus a small number of Oystercatchers and Turnstone. back to take a closer look at the main lagoon which produced Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall and a Little Grebe plus a few Black-headed Gulls.

The harbour contained the usual high number of Mallard plus a trio of Mute Swans and a single Coot. A Blue Tit was picked up as we walked through the back entrance of the Visitors Centre and on over to the shore on the other side of Hill Head Sailing Club.  Here we found a quintet of Brent Geese plus a few Turnstone, just the two Sanderling, a resting Cormorant and half-dozen Eiders out on the main water.  A couple of Woodpigeon behind us but on the shore with the tide forever moving out a handful of Carrion Crows and a multitude of gulls.  Mainly Black-headed and a good number of Herring but also a further four Great Black-backed Gulls.  No shortage of Oystercatchers but no Redshank to be seen. A final stop near the toilet block as we made our way back to Titchfield village produced a few more Turnstone along with a couple of Sanderling and a Ringed Plover.  A Blackbird was noted as we left the shore to drive inland.

Eider Duck Somateria mollissima

Approaching Titchfield canal car park at the top of Posbrook Road the ploughed field held a number of Rooks plus a few Carrion Crows and once parked we soon added both Blue Tit and Robin.  No sooner had we started to walk downstream along the canal path than we added Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow and Magpie but also a trio of House Sparrows in a dense bush to our right.  Once on the higher level to look over to Bridge Street flood we found a large number of Wigeon plus Moorhen, Coot,  Mallard, Lapwing and a couple of Cormorant.   Further to the right a Canada Goose and a pair of Shelduck.  Lots of Herring Gulls to the left but Black-headed Gulls to the right and a single Great Black-backed Gull around the middle on the near shore. A Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" away in the trees beyond the water.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Moving on down to Posbrook flood we stopped to check the small flood half way between the two main waters where we found a number of Shoveler and the Black-tailed Godwit flock.  A female Kestrel was hovering directly above us and then it was on to the bridge for the first close look at Posbrook flood.  Lots of Shoveler, more Pintail and Coot plus a couple of Heron.  A Blackbird was foraging on the other side of the canal and a handful of Jackdaw flew past. At the far end of the water we found yet another Heron along with the main Teal flock and a pair of Mute Swans. Whilst enjoying our coffee and refreshments (kindly provided by Richard) a handsome male Marsh Harrier drifted past  overhead as it maid its way down the reserve.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Making our way back to the car park we stopped once more at the small flood between the two main waters, here we found not only a small number of Canada Geese but the three resident Glossy Ibis showing very well and clear of obstructions.  Then almost back at the car a Dunnock happily resting inn clear sight to our right and, once again, more Great Tits.  Once warmed up a little and records updated, we started on our journey over to Weston shore a the top of Southampton Water, and noting the scores of Starling atop a tall tree as we drove away.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Thirty minutes later we were parked up in the main car park at the Netley end of the Weston Shore and immediately aware of the large gathering of Carrion Crows which now totalled more than 100 individuals. Close to us over a score of Rock Doves and on the shore and water itself no less than 18 Mute Swans.  Checking with the scope we soon added both Oystercatcher and Curlew.  Using the scopes we were able to check the reported site for the newly-arrived Long-tailed Duck where it was safely identified about 200 yards off-shore from the northern end of the shore beyond a small group of Brent Geese.  Almost opposite close to the Hythe shoreline just south of Hythe pier we found a Great Northern Diver. A final stop at the front next to Netley recreation ground produced a Great Crested Grebe close by on the water and behind us both Woodpigeon and Robin.  A quartet of Mallard and three Mute Swans on Sophie's Pond then back to the "Prince Consort" to get warm and enjoy a coffee/beer before heading back to Warsash after a most successful morning.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

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