Farlington Marshes

Wednesday 21 January 

Left my visit till 10 this morning as the forecast suggested dry and cloudy.  It may have been when I left home but a few spots of rain upon arriving so over-trousers on and well wrapped up against the strong, cold wind when I set off.  No sooner through the gate than the first drops started to fall.  Lots of Brent Geese on the mud flats which were quickly succumbing to the incoming tide.  Indeed, many Pintail as well along with a few Shelduck and Teal.  Not too many gulls about and almost all Black-headed save for a couple of Herring Gulls.  Also on the shore a couple of Curlew and a distant Great Black-backed Gull.

Off down to the lake and its viewing point which in the gloom presented many more Teal and Pintail along with the resting Wigeon.  Rather than face the open exposure to the elements, I retraced my steps to take the track across the meadow alongside the river where I came across more Shelduck, Brent Geese and a Mute Swan on the open water. A couple of Moorhen and a tight flock of about fifty Coot made a dash from grass to water as I approached.

A long rest in the shelter of the old barn and a chance to use the scope from the drier back of the building.  Lots of Canada and Brent Geese on the Hay Field but, eventually, up and on along the main track up towards the sea wall.  Brent Geese and many Mallards in the fields each side of the track and in front of me as I approach the main gate of the right a departing Little Egret and a Kestrel had just landed in the tree further ahead.  Also noticeable the number of Moorhens that seemed to appear out of nowhere as I made my way along the main track.  Nearer the top I stopped under the shelter of the trees to scope the main marsh which held scores of both Brent and Canada Geese but also a good number of both Lapwing and Starling.

Should I carry on up along the sea wall.  The mater was finally settled when, at last, I found one of the visiting White-fronted Geese in amongst the geese, Lapwings and Starlings.  Good enough for me as I made my back to try and remove as many wet layers as well as boots before driving back to Warsash. Obviously no photographs taken as the camera stayed safely inside the rucksack, so the following is a previous shot of a White-fronted Goose.

White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons

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