Titchfield Shore and Canal Path

Sunday 17 November

A few of the 220 Brent Geese Branta bernicla facing the incoming tide

With the long period of dry weather about to end and high tide due by mid-morning, time t make an early morning visit to the Meon shore at Titchfield Haven ion the hope that there might still be some activity on the beach. Driving along Meon Road from Posbrook I can across a flock of over thirty feeding Rooks on the field to my left and quickly followed by a couple of Magpies and the occasional Blackbird.  Arriving  at 8.45 I was greeted by the last "island" of shingle before the whole area was underwater to discover over two hundred resting Brent Geese and, on closer inspection, a few Ringed Plover and a small flock of Sanderling. The scope eventually also picked out a a small number of Turnstone and a couple of Oystercatchers.

Turnstone Arenaria interpress

Moving on to the end of the promenade car park adjacent to the sailing club compound at the side of the harbour, a small number of Black-headed Gulls and many Mallards along with a trio of Mute Swans, couple of Coot and many more Turnstones were on show.  From the bridge I could see a Heron and a large flock of Lapwing inside the nature reserve itself.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Checking the beach before it entered the harbour I found the roosting flock of 29 Ringed Plovers and 31 Sanderling.  Further away across the harbour entrance on the far beach a flock of 25 roosting Oystercatchers.

Roosting Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula and Sanderling Calidris alba

Finally, onto the viewing area where a small number of Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard were on the water with a couple of Lapwing and handful of Black-headed Gulls on the small island.  More Black-headed Gulls and Coots were also on the water along with a couple of resting Cormorant.  Finally, a short drive up to the top of hill and look over the sea from from the cliff top revealed a solitary Great crested Grebe on the open Solent and behind me a quartet of Rock Doves atop one of the houses. 

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (bottom centre) with gulls and ducks

Given it was not yet 10 o'clock I decided to call in at Titchfield Canal on the way back to see if the Glossy Ibis were still about as seen in the past few days.  Walking the canal path east of Bridge Road no sign of the birds but I did record a Buzzard moving towards me and into the trees on my right along with a Magpie further back.  Collecting the small scope from the car I then walked along the canal path from the car park and paused as a female Kestrel passed me and came to rest on the wires.  At the same time a Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" from the trees behind the raptor.

Female Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

The Barn Owl nest hole is gradually coming into view now that the leaves area falling but no sign of the bird.  Meanwhile, on the opposite of the path, Bridge Street Floods held scores of resting Black-headed Gulls and using bins and scope was able to pick out resting Pintails along with many Teal, a few Coot, Mallard and Black-tailed Godwits plus a couple of Moorhen.

Roosting Teal Anas crecca and Pintails Anas acuta

Moving on down the path towards the bridge I also added Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Magpie and a Goldfinch.  Naturally, there were regular sightings of Woodpigeon and even a few Jackdaw in the field to the right.  It was also from this field that the continually calling Pheasant was heard.

Once at Posbrook Floods I discovered very little bird life other than a Heron at the eastern end.  However, scoping the far bank of the exposed water produced a handful of Shoveler and another couple of Coot.  The to the amazement of both myself and a fellow birder, who had seen the Ibises near the horses around nine o'clock where they were chased off by a loose dog, the three Glossy Ibis flew low over the reads from the east and dropped into the deep reeds beyond the water immediately in front of us.  Not only  sighting as the trio circled before descending but, having watched their landing, I was able to pick up the three birds taking cover in the deep reeds. A great end to the morning's biding and as I made my way back to the car a Cormorant few across Bridge Street Floods and a lone Starling was seen on the chimney of a neighbouring house.

The 3 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus coming in to land

Just able to pick out the resting Glossy Ibis left of centre in the reeds

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Great Crested Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

Teal Anas crecca with a couple of Gadwall Anas strepera

Roosting Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula to the left and Sanderling Calidris alba to the right

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Hamble River, Warsash

Saturday 16 November

Redshank Tringa totanus, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola and Dunlin Calidris alpina

A calm, overcast and dull start to the day so out of the house just after 8.30 and across the road, noting the departing Robin, to the River Hamble for a walk up to the conservation area and back. With the incoming water approaching high tide in about two hours lots of waders and Brent Geese being pushed up towards the shore and giving good views in the dull light.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Immediately on reaching the river a number of Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank along with the first dozen Turnstone but also a single Oystercatcher.  Just beyond the ferry landing a pair of mallard, more Brent Geese and a score of Teal.  A little further away a lone Black-headed Gull and the first of the morning's Wigeon.  Finding the first score of Dunlin I also noted the first Curlew of the morning feeding at the shore line.

A few of the many Turnstone Arenaria interpres (at back)

carrying on up the river another Curlew and many more Dunlin, Brent Geese and Turnstones.  A Little Egret to my right and as a Carrion Crow flew over I looked down to find a small flock of Grey Plover.  Indeed, many more were to be found as I made my way up towards the conservation area.

Curlew Numenius arquata

A good sight of the first Greenshank and I caught up with the second near the flooding meadow alongside a Little Egret. Towards the back eight grazing Shelduck whist out on the river itself a lone Great crested Grebe.  A handful of Black-headed and also a single Herring Gull resting on the meadow.  Another couple of Curlew and then the finding of a pair of Ringed Plover towards the back close to more Grey Plovers.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Reaching the conservation area upwards of a dozen Black-headed Gulls and the remainder of both the Teal and Wigeon flocks.  At the back seven resting Heron and even a Magpie resting on one of the posts normally occupied by a Sandwich Tern during a high tide roost.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Making my way back I came across a pair of Rock Pipits foraging the sea wall on the river side and right at the end of the path before heading inland and home a Little Grebe fishing just off shore.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rock Pipit.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Redshank Tringa totanus with Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Curlew Numenius arquata

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Greenshank in background

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Heron Ardea cinerea

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Greenshank in background

Male Teal Anas crecca

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

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Farlington Marsh

Thursday 14 November

Resting Redshank Tringa totanus along with both Wigeon Anas penelope and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Dry and calm with occasional warn sunshine for my mid-morning visit to take an anti-clockwise walk round Farlington Marshes so coming t the main mudflats to try and coincide with the outgoing tide and chance to see more waders. Passing the high water as I entered the narrow lane to the parking area over eighty Brent Geese on the water to my right and then, once parked, an introductory walk towards the mudflats before bearing left through the grass and bushes towards the far end of the water near the old barn.  As I moved through this area a number of Woodpigeons and Magpies and then, on reaching the river, the first Little Egret of the morning followed by two score Coot, a small number of Wigeon and Teal plus a quartet of Pintail.  A Stonechat was sat atop a small tree and ahead of me both a Carrion Crow and a Starling. A dozen Cormorants took off from the river and a female Kestrel flew past my front.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Reaching the old barn, the water behind held a quartet of Gadwall, more Coot and a couple of Moorhen.  A lone Greenfinch flew in atop one of the neighbouring trees and, as I left the resting area, a Snipe flew over and disappeared into the far reeds.  More Little Egrets were noted along with a passing Herring Gull.  Moving on up the track to the sea wall a Blackbird in the hedgerow and then, once on the sea wall and the tide still quite high, the first flock of Brent Geese totalling about sixty individuals on both the water and banks. Both Blackbird and Dunnock as I walked on towards the Deeps with large flocks of Canada and amore Brent Geese on the fields to the right along with a few foraging Woodpigeon.

Resting Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Wigeons Anas penelope

Once at the Deeps a good collection of Shoveler and at least fifty resting Shelduck.  A pair of Pintail and a Little Grebe resting in the lee of the nearest island a a Curlew walked round the edge.  In amongst the ducks also a good number of Wigeon.  Away to my left a Raven was being harried by a female Kestrel and even further away the final flock of Canada Geese also included the adopted white goose and its Barnacle Goose friend.

Pintail Anas acuta

Continuing round the corner past a small group of Brent Geese a Linnet crossed the track followed by a pair of Pied Wagtails.  Approaching the entrance to the path that cuts off the corner when travelling in the opposite direction, I stopped as a pair of Water Pipits put in an appearance ahead of me and whereas one made a hasty departure the second posed on top of the post before following its partner into the bushes below on the right.  No sooner had I has then another pair of Pied Wagtails on the track ahead and a single Meadow Pipit.  Away to my right resting on a post at the back of the inland water a Buzzard.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

Finally reaching the viewing point it was now obvious that the tide had yet to reveal the mudflats but a male Kestrel crossed the sea wall and landed atop a gate at the entrance to the lower field.  Away at the left of the water a very large collection of resting Wigeon along with many Teal, Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.  Closer inspection revealed that there were not only scores of redwing but also a single Greenshank.  Above the reeds a quartering Marsh Harrier.  In front of me on the open water to my right a pair of feeding Great Crested Grebes.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Finally, approaching the end of the walk a large island had now appeared on my left in the shallow water on which rested a further score of Brent Geese and a couple of Back-headed Gulls.  below me on the hedge a Stonechat followed by the arrival of a pair of Meadow Pipits.  An enjoyable walk which finally produced 43 species.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal,  Pintail, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Stonechat, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis (front)

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Buzzard Buteo burteo

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Heron Ardea cinerea

Wigeon Anas penelope with Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Teal Anas crecca

Mainly resting Wigeon Anas penelope

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Hamble River, Warsash

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Friday 8 November

Time for a quick walk up the Hamble River as far as the conservation area and back in dry, overcast weather and on  rising tide.  Lots of birds to be seen but a "dead" camera; everything works until I press the trigger, than nothing. (More later)  And this explains why I had no photographs yesterday morning after the distant Robin!

As soon as I reached the start a dozen Brent Geese with more up river during my walk.  Also both a Redshank and an Oystercatcher along with a couple of Black-headed and single Herring Gulls.  As I moved on up to the large bays a trio of Sandwich Terns also made their way up river.  In the first bay a couple of Curlew and six Black-tailed Godwits along with27 Wigeon and 24 Teal.  On the more open water a pair of Shelduck.

Continuing on not only more Brent Geese and Redshank but both a Curlew and a Grey Plover on the meadow itself.  Hiding near the shore line the first of four Little Egrets seen on the outward journey.  Then a massed murmuration as two separate flocks of Dunlin, totalling about 140 in all, swirled along the shore below me. Another two Curlew recorded plus more Redshank and ten Turnstones before reaching the conservation area.  Here many more Teal and Wigeon along with a score of Black-headed Gulls and seven resting Herons.  But just the two Carrion Crows this morning.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Once back I took the local bus into Southampton centre along with my camera expecting the worst when I called in at London Camera Exchange.  But the kind young gentleman recognised the problem in within minutes all was resolved.  Somehow I must have caught one of the buttons on the back and the camera had been reset to something else; just hope it does not happen again!

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow.

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.