Normandy and Oxey Lagoon

Sunday 9 August

Going to be another hot day with clear blue skies and no breeze as I drove through the New Forest to meet up with the HOS group, led by In packer, for our walk around Oxey and Normandy Marshes.  Sixteen of us set off for an enjoyable morning despite there being a distinct lack of birds in general following the on-going drought in the south of England.  Before setting off, however, we did manage to record Magpie, Dunnock, Robin and Carrion Crow and making our way through the trees beyond the sailing club added Great Tit and Little Egret along with the first Woodpigeon.

Cutting across the dried out march to the sea wall we came across both Whitethroat and Meadow Pipit along with the first Pied Wagtails amongst the grazing ponies.  A large, eighty plus, flock of Starlings was feeding on the far bushes which, in turn, drew our attention to the lone Lapwing and a single Blackbird at  the far side of the field.  A Great Black-backed Gull flew over whilst being harried by a single Black-headed Gull.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Up on the sea wall and making our way to Oxey Lagoon a lone Cormorant flying over the water and the far island both a Curlew and two Redshanks.  And as we rounded the bend to approach Acre Pond the gathered resting flock of Black-headed also produced a couple of Mediterranean Gulls and at the back, almost hidden by the gulls, a pair of Oystercatchers.

Next it was on to Normandy Lagoon where stopping as soon as we reached the water we could see Cormorants on the far island along with a single Herring Gull. A Stonechat briefly alighted onto the boundary fence and more Little Egrets to be seen plus Redshanks.  A Common Sandpiper crossed the water to land on the edge below us giving good views and moving to the far end of the wall we were able to pick out a couple of Ringed Plovers and at least six Dunlin.  On the water itself a feeding Little Grebe.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Having finished my picnic lunch it was time for me to save my energy and make my way back to the car.  Passing the lagoon on my right a couple of House Sparrows in the bushes and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits flew past low over the water.  Above the two of us a passing Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) being harassed by three gulls.  Finally, walking past the garden paddock immediately before Acre Pond a trio of Barn Swallows above us.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Meadow Lark, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

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