Hamble River, Warsash

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Friday 3 April

Yes it was a good Friday!  Having seen the departing American Golden Plover for less than three seconds yesterday, I walked across the road just before 10 to walk up to yesterday's viewing at the back of the first revealed mud island as the tide receded on the Hamble River.  On the way a number of Black-headed Gulls then a trio of Redshank. Lovely to see there were still 33 Brent Geese on the shore and they should be gone within the next fortnight, if not sooner.  

A single Little Egret was feeding in the channel to the left of the path and then, upon arriving at yesterday's viewing site, already two birders present plus another couple I passed on the way who had already seen the bird and a trio approaching as I, too, made my way back home to keep an appointment in nearby Fareham.  The American Golden Plover was a t the very back of the "island" so only possible to get distant record shots.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

In addition I managed to find a single Oystercatcher, a pair of Shelduck and four Black-tailed Godwits plus the lone Dunlin in a shallow creak in front of the above island.   Two Canada Geese were in one of the gardens at the back of Bunny Meadow and, finally, a trio of Turnstone flew past down river where I finally found eight individuals foraging in the weed immediately below me.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, American Golden Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull.

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