Normandy Lagoon & Pennington Marshes

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Friday 11 April

Collected by Richard Osman just after 8.30 we were down at Normandy Lagoon on the Solent south of Lymington by 9.45 and as soon as leaving the car had recorded Robin, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock and Pheasant. In the adjacent field as we started our walk to the seawall both Lapwing and Canada Goose.  A Carrion Crow flew over as we approached the lagoon where we found many Black-tailed Godwits, many in almost full summer plumage.  Also on the water Mallard, Teal and Shelduck.  A little further away a number of Tufted Duck and many more Canada Geese. Naturally, many Black-headed Gulls and then we found the small group of Herring Gulls.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Nearer to the wall and, indeed, almost everywhere on the site, very many Avocet and a handful of Lapwing.  Near the southern wall a few Redshank and on a sand bar just of this edge a couple of Little Terns resting aside both an Avocet and a Black-tailed Godwit.  Searching amongst the Black-headed Gulls on Tern Island I eventually found a solitary Common Tern at the southern end in the company of a couple of Dunlin and a Turnstone.

Little Tern Sterna albifons (left) with Black-tailed Godwit L.limosa and Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

At the far side of the lagoon a single Cormorant and a few Shoveler along with a Rock Dove. In the far, northern corner many more Avocet and a lone Ringed Plover.  After finding more Common Redshanks, a walk round the corner to the far channel produced a single Spotted Redshank. Just behind this "special" bird Richard was first to find the handful of Brent Geese.

Making our way back to the long sea-facing wall a handful of Mediterranean Gulls flew past and in the distance we could see a Magpie. On the far side of the island in the Lymington River a couple of resting Great Black-backed Gulls and on the far side of the large island opposite the main sea wall a group of resting bids including Grey Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Also at the far north of this island a handful of resting Eiders.  Then, as we made our way back to the car at last water we found a quartet of resting Wigeon on the back of the lagoon.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Time to make the short drive along to and own Lower Pennington Lane to make a circuit of the Pennington Marshes.  On the top meadow approaching the car park many Canada Geese along with both Dunnock and Magpie. Passing through the kissing gate to start our walk, we had a Chaffinch in the adjacent tree and both Woodpigeon and Lapwing on the wet meadow to our left.

Taking the right-hand track to make an anti-clockwise circuit we were soon overlooking Fishtail Lagoon where we found very many Shelduck along with score of Black-headed Gulls, Mallard and Teal.  A few Redshank and a number of Coots before the first of many Little Egrets.  Also present both Black-tailed Godwits and a small flock of Herring Gulls.  Meantime, behind us in and around the bushes  Blackbird, Linnet and Wren. Towards the back at least four Egyptian Geese.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

On towards Butts lagoon where we could see a pair of Mute Swan and then a right turn to explore the southern side of Fishtail Lagoon where we certainly saw very many more Avocets, a four Brent Geese, and both Ringed Plover and Pied Wagtail before a couple of Reed Buntings on the fence posts below.  At the far end, looking at Keyhaven Lagoon we noted the quartet of Spoonbill.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Making our way back a Meadow Pipit and then four more Great Black-backed Gulls amongst the resting gull flock on the far shore. Once at Butts Lagoon a couple of Little Grebe, more Coots and at least eight Gadwall.  Out on the main water at the corner a quintet of Great Crested Grebes.

Pennington Lagoon produced more Little Egrets along with a single Pintail and a trio of Wigeon. A Common Tern flew over before we made our way back to take the track back to the car park.  hardly had we reach the higher track than a pair of Meadow Pipits put in a close appearance giving excellent views. Stopping at the large pond on our right we not only added another Little Egret but also found a single Greenshank and a couple of Moorhen. A Skylark appeared above us and then , back t the gate, a Greenfinch in the tree to our left.  Finally, the first Robin here as we made our way back along the lane towards the end of Pennington Marsh.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Eider Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Little Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Redshank Tringa totanus

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

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