Hamble River, Warsash

Wednesday 24 December

Finally, after hours of delay, able to get out and take a walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back in beautiful, sunny weather but with a very cold easterly wind reducing the temperature down to as low as 1C.  But, nevertheless, good to be out in the fresh air for a short while. 

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Less than a handful of birds on the shore and exposed islands themselves but a very large flock of Brent Geese on the flooded Bunny Meadow. In with the geese a few Wigeon and  handful of nearby Herring along with more than a score of Black-headed Gulls.

Wigeon Anas penelope with Brent Geese Branta bernicla

On the open river a fishing Great Crested Grebe and another individual resting on an exposed island just off the shore.  A Curlew flew up river above me and then, on the main temporary lagoon on the meadow, hundreds of Brent Geese plus a few Wigeon and a handful of Teal.  At the far back sheltering under the reeds a pair of Shelduck and the first Redshanks.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

But then was the small "island" towards the back of the water which held the very many roosting Dunlin along with at least eight Grey Plover.  A few Wigeon and Teal on the water at the back before I moved on to the conservation area itself.  Here I found more Wigeon and Black-headed Gulls.

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Making my way back I came across a quartet of Carrion Crows and a similar number of Magpies to give a final tally of 16 species in less than an hour.

The Dunlin Calidris alpina roost

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Rock Pipit, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla in flight

Curlew Numenius aquata

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Redshank Tringa totanus

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Wigeon Anas penelope

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