Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Tuesday 12 August

Another hot day to follow so left home early but delayed by traffic works on M27 so did not arrive at Fishlake Meadows, Romsey until just after 8.30.  Fortunately, lots of shade from the full-leaf trees but little to see initially.  A Blackbird before the first seat plus the first of many Woodpigeons but, almost immediately, a single Bullfinch on my left as I walked down the canal path.  Overhead a Black-headed Gull and in the distance, on and over the lakes, a pair of Mute Swans followed by a resting Great White Egret on the tree platform, that then moved on when joined by its namesake.  A third Great White Egret was also found when I finally arrived a the screens overlooking the water. A Common Tern came into view at the same time.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Moving on a couple of Dunnock on the path in front of me and in a tall tree to my left a pair of Carrion Crows along with more Woodpigeon. With a Robin to my right and a Magpie behind me I carried on down to the gate to take the path towards the entry gate for reaching the screens.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

However, apart from another Robin on the ground of the track the other side of the canal bridge, I paused to watch the well-grown juvenile Wren taking a leisurely, but active, dust bath on the track a few metres ahead.  Fascinating to watch.  Both Blue and Great Tits were seen and another Robin on the rails to my left.  No sooner had I moved on when I stopped to study the pair of Reed Buntings on the path a little ahead of me.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

But the best was still to come as almost opposite the Reed Buntings I was able to watch a handful of what looked like juvenile Willow Warblers with at least one parent busy feeding in the trees to my right.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Next it was on to the screen overlooking the water where I found the third Great White Egret along with a quartet of Greylag Geese and a pair of Mallard. A singe Common Tern flew around before settling and then I made my way back towards the car park noting the the Willow Warblers were still active, the Wren was back for more dust bathing and another Dunnock on the canal path.  Off to my left the first Chiffchaff recorded during the morning.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Rather than straight to the car I carried on under the road bridge and along the road to visit the watch point over the water.  A number of resting Lesser black-backed Gulls along with a trio of Great Crested Grebes before finding a resting Canada alongside a pair of Egyptian Geese.  A third Egyptian Goose was swimming mid-water near a pair of Coot.  Right at the back I found the handful of eclipse Tufted Ducks and as I collapsed the scope a Grey Heron flew in to rest on one of the submerged trees.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Making my way back to the town a Jackdaw on a roof top and then a Red Kite flew across the main road in front of me before I reached the motorway.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Great White Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Juvenile Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus

The dust-bathing Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

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