Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Friday 25 April

A somewhat dull start to the day but dry and little wind as I made my way over to Fishlake Meadows in Romsey. Arriving just after 9 the birds were singing and I soon had a list including Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin and Woodpigeon.  Moving off down the canal I quickly added both Blackcap and Garden Warbler before arriving at the first bench.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

A long stop near the seat eventually produced a good, long sighting of the singing Grasshopper Warbler plus another Garden Warbler and many Cetti's Warblers.  behind me a singing Chiffchaff and Dunnock.  Indeed, there seemed to be singing Chiffchaffs and Wrens all around me.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia

Over towards the water I could see both a Little Egret and a number of Mute Swans plus the the very flighty Greylag Geese.  A couple of Cormorant were also noted and above the water at least a score of feeding Swifts plus a handful of Barn Swallows.  A Carrion Crow flew in front of me towards its nest and behind, sitting of a roof, a calling Collared Dove.  Not to be outdone, a pair of Magpies flew in from behind to explore the meadow. In the far distance a Great Spotted Woodpecker was foraging atop a tree.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Moving on down the canal path many singing Sedge Warblers and stopping to find a couple I succeeded in watching the brief arrival of a pair of Whitethroat. On round and down to the path to the screen where I came across the breeding territory of the newly-arrived Reed Warblers and on the small pool to my left a pair of Greylag Geese along with a Coot.

Greylag Geese Anser anser

Once at the screens, on the main water a number of Gadwall and Greylag Geese along with a pair of Black-headed Gulls, single Teal and a quartet of Tufted Duck plus a number of Mute Swans. Both Coot and Moorhen also present.

Anas strepera

Making my way back towards the car park many more Sedge and Garden Warblers plus a departing Great White Egret and, on the Osprey platform, a pair of Common Terns. A short deviation took me to the roadside viewing point where, on the main lagoon, I noted a Great Crested Grebe, a number of Mute Swans, more Tufted Duck and a couple of Herring Gulls.  Even a Heron departed as I approached the viewing point and a Common Tern was resting atop a tree pole.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

I made a slight diversion on the way home to check on the breeding Peregrine Falcons at Romsey Abbey but they were not to be seen, albeit I did note the trio of Rock Doves, a quartet of Jackdaws and a single Starling to make a morning's total of 40 species.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

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