Normandy and Pennington Marshes

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

 Wednesday 6 May

Cloudy but dry with a light, cool breeze as I arrived at Normandy Lagoon south of Lymington on the Solent shore opposite the Isle of Wight. No sooner out of the car than I recorded Dunnock, Blackbird, Woodpigeon and Chaffinch. then it was out across the field to the sea wall where upon reaching the lagoon I noted the decrease in both water and birds.  Lots of Shelduck plus a number of Canada Geese along with many Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and a few Mallards.  Mainly Black-headed but also a few Herring Gulls along with a plentiful supply of Avocets.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

A Pied Wagtail was on one of the nearer islands and then the sight of the first Little Terns plus a few Common Tern albeit the majority of the latter were on the larger (C) island. Also on island C a pair of nesting Sandwich Terns in amongst the Common Terns.  At the western end a score of resting Dunlin.

Resting Dunlin Calidris alpina with Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Continuing on along the sea wall I found a pair of Lapwing, a quartet of Redshank plus a handful of Tufted Ducks and a lone Great Crested Grebe.  Just a couple of Ringed Plover but at the very back behind an upturned boat a pair of Egyptian Geese.  meanwhile, the fence below me suddenly produced a Linnet and on the path in front a couple of House Sparrows.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

On the outer land towards the main river a Great Black-backed Gull and as I made my way back along the sea wall I came across a lone Bar-tailed Godwit resting close to a single Oystercatcher and Dunlin.  Then a male Reed Bunting alighted on the fence below me.  making my way back to the exit from the sea wall I came across both male and female Stonechat and a number of Reed Warblers in the corner bed of reeds.  Once back in the field the nearby hedge produced a Lesser Whitethroat and Magpie.  A lone Barn Swallow flew past and looking up I noted the calling Buzzard.  before leaving the rea I did check out the area near Acre Pond and found Wren, Blue Tit and Heron.  A single Cormorant flew past over the main water whilst making my way back to the car I also noted both Chiffchaffs and Starlings.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Time to move on to nearby Pennington Marsh at the end of the lane bearing the same name.  An hour and a quarter undertaking an anti-clockwise circuit produced 30 species commencing with Robin, Blackbird and Woodpigeon as I set off towards Fishtail Lagoon.  Lots of Black-headed plus a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the nearly dry lagoon whilst the water itself held a number of Shelduck and over fifty Avocets. Also noted on this outward journey Greenfinch, Song Thrush and Linnet.

Resting Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Along with the gulls there were very many Canada Geese and Shelduck plus more than a score of Mallard. Approaching the drop down to the water and short path to the steps up to the se wall I managed to find Cetti's and Reed Warblers plus a Whitethroat and, at the water, a Redshank and pair of Mute Swans.  Looking at the lagoon from the sea wall apart from the many Avocets also a passing Barn Swallow and a distant Heron.  Another Heron was seen on Butts Lagoon where there were also a number of Coot.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Moving on to Pennington Lagoon I found eight Gadwall, about a score of Black-tailed Godwits along with more Mallard and a single Oystercatcher plus a male Reed Bunting on the fence below.  Out at sea a passing Common Tern and Cormorant. In addition, the end of the "pier" held a pair of Turnstone.  Finally, making my way back to the car I observed both a single Lapwing, more Little Egret and a first Common Redstart of the year, so ending a very enjoyable morning's birding which produced 54 species.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (left) with Oystercatcher

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat,  Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica with Dunlin Calidris alpina

Canada Goose Branta canadensis with goslings

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Gadwall Anas strepera

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis  (Black head)

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus (male above, female below)

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