Hayling Island

 Tuesday 7 November

Female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Off early in lovely sunshine but a very cold breeze to the "Billy Line" reserve at the Hayling Island Oysterbeds, arriving at exactly 9 o'clock as the tide was making its way out.  Once parked up at the northern end car park, I was able to pick out a small number of Black-headed Gulls along with a half-dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a handful of Redshank.  A Carrion Crow passed overhead and I was to see many more once further down the coastal footpath foraging on the outer banks of the abandoned oysterbeds.  However, the target bird for the morning was the long-staying female Long-Tailed Duck in winter plumage that had been present for the past week.  Would the duck still be on site as I made may way to the oysterbeds?

Curlew Numenius arquata

Once at the coast I was able to immediately come across very many Brent Geese and this first small flock was accompanied by a Curlew, Grey Plover and Turnstone.  Almost immediately a huge flock of Dunlin flew past and I was later to find a resting flock of at least 60 individuals.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

The next large bed held almost thirty Shelduck and then on the following small, grassy bed where I found both a Greenshank and Heron along  with more Redshanks.  Indeed, most of these beds held an isolated Little Egret.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Once again, on the more open bed I came across not only Dunlins but a score or more Grey Plovers.  The Carrion Crows seemed to be well occupied at the water's edge and it was soon time to arrive at the main water which would normally hold hundreds of Breeding Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls.  On this occasion, apart from the odd Little Egret and Black-headed Gull there appeared to be no bird life but then the passing solitary Great Crested Grebe.  I though the water completely empty as I approached what looks like an abandoned bus shelter but then, to my great surprise and pleasure, there was suddenly a lone bird n the water.  Yes, the visiting female Long-tailed Duck which had been busy feeding underwater.  Watching the duck for a considerable time she seemed to spend almost a minute on the surface followed by what looked  like two taps of the head on the water then a dive.  Each dive seemed to last for about thirty seconds so with this regular timing an opportunity to try and be ready for the next photograph.  Indeed, this was to be the last species seen on the walk before making my return to the car.

More shots of the female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Making my way back I took time to pay more attention to the many Grey Plover and then another Herring Gull followed by a pair of Magpies near the pool on my right having reached the old "Billy Line" and a last look at the large oysterbed on my left produced a pair of sleeping Wigeon.

Grey Plover Pluvuialis squatarola

With time to spare rather than straight home arriving in Warsash I deviated to drive down Workmans Lane and take a walk along the bottom of the horse fields.  Lots of Carrion Crows about along with a couple of Rooks and a pair of Magpies.  Towards the far end of the main track the field on the right held a pair of Oystercatchers and, suddenly, a flock of about forty Linnets accompanied the odd Goldfinch (and even a Robin) appeared near the last major puddle on the track to drink and bathe.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Time to check the main field on the right and, as expected, very many feeding Pied Wagtails and more Carrion Crows but also a handful of Jackdaws in the trees at the back.  A large flock of Starlings passed over as I made my way back to the car.  Strange to find some very large mushrooms growing in the grass next to the viewing point at the fence, some almost twenty centimetres in diameter, but would they have been edible? 

What might these Mushrooms be?

Taking another look in the nature reserve on the other side of the road I could seen that the many Carrions Crows had been joined by almost thirty Curlews who had come to rest along side the pond created in a dip following the recent heavy rains.   In the end, a most enjoyable and rewarding morning.

The resting Curlew Numenius arquata flock

Birds seen:    

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet.

The female Female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Pair of sleeping Wigeon Anas penelope

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Warsash and Solent Shores

Friday 3 November

The storms have disappeared and the sun is once more shining above in the light cloud covering.  Even the wind has abated and is hardly more than a light breeze so what better way to start the day than walk along the shore at Warsash and on down to the Solent and Southampton Water.  With the tide starting its inward journey as soon as I reached the slipway I had a single Curlew along with up to forty Turnstone between this point and the shoreline below Strawberry fields.  Also present were a few Black-headed- Gulls along with the occasional Oystercatcher and Redshank.  A Carrion Crow came to forage along the shore and a Robin was seen on the path in front of me.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Then it was on down to the School of Navigation and the shore line to the north of the pier provided the first few Brent Geese along with more Black-headed and the occasional Herring Gull.  Both Magpie and Mallard were recorded on the small inland pond behind the wall.  To the south of the pier very many more Brent Geese and Redshanks plus another Curlew.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Arriving at the Spit and mouth of the Hamble River I could now see well in excess of two hundred Brent Geese and the first of the wintering Wigeon.  A small flock of Woodpigeons flew overhead and many Carrion Crows were making their way to the feeding are on the Solent side of the Spit. Just the single Little Egret to be seen but  I did find the resident pair of Great Black-backed Gulls.  Along with the many Brent Geese at least 80 Dunlin were feeding as a massed flock at the water's edge plus more Redshanks. Then, making my way alongside the Spit, a single female Goosander was a very pleasant surprise and, looking out into the Solent, a single feeding Great Crested Grebe.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Carrion Crows Corvus corone waiting their turn at the feast

Moving on down to the Scrape an almost deserted water with just a single Black-headed Gull,  the one Little Grebe and four Pintail resting on the main island. Next the walk through the gorse are to the Meandering Pool which, again, just held a single Black-headed Gull.  As I approached this water a flock of two dozen Curlew flew over me at out over the Solent and at the back of the gorse area a  similar number of Black-tailed Godwits came to rest just beyond the tree line.  But with the sun behind me on the return walk I was rewarded with a trio of Sky Larks, eight Meadow Pipits and a total of three Stonechats.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

By the time I got back to the Scrape a handful of Black-headed Gulls and a pair of Gadwall also on the island.  As I left I stopped to study the resting female Chaffinch on a small rosebud bush alongside a Meadow Pipit with both taking their leave as a male Kestrel came to hover nearby.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Back at the Spit I walked as far as possible to get a closer look at the two Great Black-backed Gulls feeding a fish carcase alongside a number of Carrion Crows with a background of Brent Geese and at least sixty Oystercatchers.  On the lee side the resting Wigeon along with 28 Canada Geese and a single Greylag Goose enjoying their company.

Canada Geese Brant canadensis with (nearest) Greylag Goose Anser anser as seen below with Black-headed Gull Larus riddibundus

Moving on I stopped to have a few words and compare sightings with fellow birder, George Baker who pointed out the Common Gulls amongst the mainly Black-headed Gulls.  Meanwhile, a lone Starling was posing atop a sign post on the opposite side of the Spit as I continued homewards and found a lone Feral Pigeon feeding on the shore and a pair of Dunlin at the path exit towards Newtown Road.

Common Gull Larus canus with Wigeon Anas penelope

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Goosander, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch.

Female Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Starling Sturnus vulgaris looking larger with the tail shadow

Curlew Numenius arquata

Redshank Tringa totanus

Pintail Anas acuta

A few of the 70 Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus seen today

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Blashford Lakes and Eyeworth

Male Mandarin Duck Aix galeiclata

Sunday 5 November 

A beautiful sunny start to the day with hardly a small cloud in the clear blue sky.  Just a cold breeze in exposed areas so off to the New Forest for a few hours at Blashford Lakes before returning home via Eyeworth Pond in Fritham.  Imagine my surprise and disappointment to arrive in time for the opening of gates at Blashford only to discover that the main car[ark in front of the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water was locked as a result to severe flooding over the past few days.  Not to worry, I continued on along the road to park before taking the short walk to the Goosander Hide overlooking the far eastern end of the water.  As soon as I took the turning to the hide I stopped to watch the family of feeding Long-tailed Tits.  Only a handful of Coot and Tufted Duck along with a single Heron on the near water with most birds gathered on the far side, albeit only one distant island in view.  A pair of Egyptian Geese few over to join their fellow species and a Great Crested Grebe was feeding nearer. More Coots and Tufted Ducks on the main water along with a pair of Mute Swans.  On the far side a small flock of Pochard and both Cormorants and Lesser Black-backed Gulls noted on and near the island.  As a small bonus a Magpie was seen flying into the trees on the far side.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo drying itself in the bright sunshine

So, back to the main reserve and its car park which enabled a circular walk starting at the Ivy North Hide.  Difficult to identify the birds to the right with a powerful sun shining into my eyes but suffice to say a number of gadwalls and the occasional Coot and Cormorant out in front. With plenty of Robins singing away I mad my way through the trees to the Woodland Hide finding a few Chiffchaffs on the way.  Once inside the hide, a better view of the visiting Nuthatch to the feeders that I had noticed from outside.  Mainly female Chaffinches on show but regular sightings of both Blue and Great Tit before the appearance of a few Greenfinches and a solitary Goldfinch.  The Coal Tit feeding on the feeder to the right of the hide was a delight to observe and then both Dunnock and Robin foraging on the ground along with a pair of Bank Voles.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Making my way down to the Ivy South Hide I stopped to count the visiting Mallards on the pool to my right.  Once in the hide the sight of scores of Gadwalls and Wigeon along with a few Cormorant, a Great Crested Grebe and a trio of Black-headed Gulls.  Above the trees on the far side I watched, along with other birders in the hide, the pair of circling Buzzards and , a little later, a passing Red Kite.  Very many Woodpigeon flew across the back as did a handful of Carrion Crows.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Driving via Fordingbridge back through the New Forest to Fritham I could not but notice the extensive flooding around the hamlet of Ibsey and, indeed on the outskirts of Fordingbridge itself.  Blackbirds and Magpies as I made my way to Eyebrook Pond where many cars were parked, their occupant having gone hiking in the forest.  Welcomed by a lone Moorhen I soon noted the resident Mallards whilst smaller birds were feeding on the birdseed left atop a gate to the woods.  At least two Marsh Tits to start me off and quickly followed by a few Blue Tits, a pair of Long-tailed Tits and a Nuthatch. 

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Meanwhile, on the far side of the water, I found a resting Heron and then, almost out of nowhere, a pair of drake Mandarin Ducks appeared. No sooner had I thought about moving on than a (true) pair of mandarins appeared from behind the reeds and started to swim down the back of the pond.  Time to head off home as the first Chaffinch put in an appearance and then a handful of Starlings as I reached the top of the hill and passed the local pub.  An excellent result for a less than twenty minute visit.

Male Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata

Male and female Mandarins

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Female Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Male (drake) Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata  with drake Mallard Anas platyrhyynchos

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Wigeon Anas penelope

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