Workmans Lane, Warsash

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Sunday 12 April

Lovely sunshine and mainly blue skies but a very strong, cold wind making the 12C feel more like 5C as I took a walk down Workmans Lane, Warsash and called in at the horse field before continuing on down to the coast at Chilling Head.  As soon as I arrived a Wren singing away next to the car and ere long both Woodpigeon and Carrion Crows had put in an appearance.  Both Blackbird and Robin noted then the first of a quartet of Chiffchaffs to be seen.  

Entering the horse field confirmed the number of Carrion Crows to be at least a dozen plus a quintet of Magpies.  At the donkey paddock in a damp area just beyond their boundary fence, three resting Canada Geese, a quintet of Shelduck and a lone Black-headed Gull.  A dozen Starlings flew over and a first Dunnock of the morning in a nearby bush.

Leaving the field to continue on down the lane I stopped by the power station and watched a pair of Blackcaps.  Fortunately, the male posed long enough at the top of the nearby tree to enable a couple of quick photos.  Further along the track towards the main road a Greenfinch.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

On down towards the shore finding a couple of Chaffinches feeding on the track ahead of me but necessary to make a return walk as the coastal path now closed due to cliff erosion.  Therefore, the hard track down to Chilling Head with a stop on the way to observe the distant, feeding Curlew and another five Magpies in the nearby field.

Distant Curlew Numenius arquata

Starting my return walk back to Workmans Lane and on to the car a pair of Herring Gulls overhead and upon reaching the lane yet more Wrens. Half-way back and I stopped to watch and photograph the Dunnock singing from the top of a small tree on my right.  Lovely sight and image to complete the morning.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

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