Weston Shore, Southampton

Monday 3 August 

Another war, sunny start to the day so a 9.10 morning visit to relatively nearby Weston Shore at the top of Southampton Water and next to the docks themselves.  No sooner parked in the southern, nearest, car park and a number of Rock Doves (Feral pigeons) resting on the fence in front and on the empty shore at low tide scores of resting Herring Gulls along with almost as many Carrion Crows. Lots more Carrion Crows on the higher shore to my left and in the neighbouring trees.

A few of the Herring Gulls Larus argentatus

Looking slightly to my right very many Black-headed Gulls as well and at the water's edge dozens of feeding Oystercatchers as well as gulls.  A Cormorant flew upstream towards the docks and out in mid-channel  pair of Great Crested Grebes.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta  (right) with Herring Gull (top centre) and 2 Black-headed Gulls

Moving on to the northern car park nearer the docks I had better views of the ten Little Egrets and then found eleven Curlew and a couple of Whimbrel.  In the trees on the other side of the road a couple of Woodpigeons.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Time to move home and travelling along the shore to the entrance to Netley's Victoria park I found resting Back-headed Gulls on the shingle shore along with a couple of Oystercatchers and a [air of Herring Gulls.  Across the road and a short visit to Sophie's Pond where there were resting Mallards and a trio of Moorhen.  Even a Magpie in the trees at the back. So, finally, a total of 15 species before heading back home.

Mallard Anas platyrhyynchos

Birds seen:

Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Carrion Crows Corvus corone with the Herring Gulls

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

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Mystery Tern

Sunday 2 August

On reflection and comments received, it would appear that the bird, as stated, is not a tern with those long legs but a gull.  Logic, therefore, suggests that the bird is actually a moulting adult Mediterranean Gull.  Hope you all agree.   Photo below is cropped from the original as also shown.

Moulting adult Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Black-headed Gulls to the left and 2 Sandwich Terns to the right

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Warsash and Solent shore

Sunday 2 August

Another very warm start to the day so left home at 9 o'clock to walk along the shore through Warsash and down to the Solent and back.  Only expected to be out for an hour or so but, in the ned, walked on down the Solent as far as the Meandering Pool and upon the return stopped at the a large expanse of uncovered mud just after low tide to try and decide what on earth was resting with the pair of Sandwich Terns amongst the large number of Black-headed Gulls.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

The outward journey produced a quartet of House Sparrows as I left the sailing club and then the usual Black-headed and Herring Gulls on the empty shore.  Moving past Strawberry Fields both a Woodpigeon and Blackbird noted and time to check the water line where I found a small number of Black-tailed Godwits.  At the top of the bare tree to my left a quartet of Starlings.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Once past the navigation pier I could take a longer look at the shoreline where I found a group of 13 Redshanks.  nearby the only Little Egret seen during the morning and resting on the end of the Spit three herons and a couple of Cormorant.  Behind me I was intrigued to watch a pair of Mallard walking down the road and a quick right turn to approach and enter the small pond.

Lunch time for this Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 

Then it was on towards the Spit itself and a stop to check the many resting Black-headed Gulls where I also found a single Sandwich Tern in their midst. In the lee of the spit a couple of Canada Geese, five Mallards and 14 Black-tailed Godwits.  Then it was all quiet as I continued on down to the Scrape where I found the lake completely dry but with a single resting Heron. The nearby bushes and amongst the gorse on further down found a total of eight Stonechat and on the return walk a single Whitethroat.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos on way to pond

Back to the mud flats approaching the navigation pier and the single Sandwich Tern had now been joined by two others.  However, on using the bins to check I was amazed to discover that the nearest tern had a red beak, obviously not a Sandwich Tern but what could it be? No sooner seen than the bird was lying down with its head and beak tucked away out of sight for a well earned sleep.

Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis (at rear)

Over five minutes waiting for the bird to show its head as the two Sandwich Terns started to rise and preen but time to confirm that the "stranger" was larger and not a single dark feather other than the moulting grey on its head. When the bird finally raised its head and even stood up it had a very short but blunt red beak and very long pinkish legs.  I could find no tern in the Collins Guide with such short legs nor did it seem to apply to any of the European gulls.  I now await some idea of identification from the Hampshire County Recorder or from friends and followers of the Facebook blog offering their thoughts.  We shall see.

The "mystery" tern now confirmed as a moulting Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

We can now be sure that the "mystery" bird was indeed an adult Mediterranean Gull in moult.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Stonechat, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis at rear

Adult Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

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Titchfield Haven and Workman's Lane, Warsash

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Saturday 1 August

Another bright and clear start to the day with the temperature already up to 24C when I collected friend Richard Osman at 8.30 to drive over to Hill Head and visit the shore, harbour and lake within Titchfield Haven reserve.  Rock Dove, House Sparrow and Black-headed Gulls as we approached our chosen car park and visiting the viewing area over the lake soon added Cormorant, Heron, many Coot and Mallards along with Little Egret, Heron, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Lapwings.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Moving along the road to the bridge over the Meon's outflow a few more Mallards along with a resting male Goosander and a Great Crested Grebe.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Crossing the road back to the harbour its many more mallards along with 43 Turnstone and the breeding Mute Swans along with their two well-grown cygnets.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor with Turnstones Arenaria interpres in background

Our final stop was a little further along the sidewalk o the sailing club where checking the estuary not only many Black-headed but also a few Herring Gulls.  However, immediately below as a Common Gull and way out at the Solent shore itself, three Knot still showing much of their summer plumage.

Knot Caladris canutus

Time to move on and make our way back to Warsash to visit Workmans Lane and as we turned inland from the Solent shore three Barn Swallows on the wires and more feeding over the recently cropped field.  Passing through the top end of Titchfield both Jackdaw and Collared Dove and a quick diversion down Brownwich Lane also produced Blackbird and Goldfinch.

Approaching Hook we passed a Moorhen walking at the side of the road and then, taking the gravelled track, we were at the top of Workmans Lane by 10.35 and ready for out next walk. Both Dunnock and Robin as we arrived, but then on the wires as we walked down the lane a half-dozen Barn Swallows on the wires.

Walking along the southern end of the horse field at least a score of Rooks plus four Carrion Crows and a single Magpie.  A Stonechat put in a very brief appearance in the donkey paddock and at east four Woodpigeons were noted.  Across the back of the field  the far end a flock of about forty Starlings were seen.

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Moving on down the lane to reach the shore the tide was now almost in with only a very limited area of exposed beach upon which we found a dozen Black-headed and a single Common Gull along with nine Oystercatchers.

Common Gull Larus canus

But in front of us on the projecting concrete breakwater a collection of resting Black-headed Gulls.  But closer inspection discovered a single adult Sandwich Tern at the back and a juvenile at the front.  It was only when concentrating on the juvenile that I realised there was also another Common Gull  resting at the back.

Juvenile Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis with Common Gull behind

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis
 (back left and right front) along with Common Gull Larus canus (back right)

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Mallard, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, sMoorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Common Gull Larus canus

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Knot Calidris canutus

Redshank Tringa totanus

Black-headed Gulls with Sandwich Terns and Common Gull

Turnstones Arenaria interpres

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus sheltering in the shade

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Farlington Marsh

Friday 31 July 

Farlington Marsh by 8.30 and the warm sunshine is back with us again as I made my way along the sea wall at low tide to the viewing point overlooking the lagoon.  Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Kestrel and Herring Gull as I made my way through the small trees leading the gate and small pond where rested a number of Black-headed Gull plus a handful of Mallard and a Heron.  Out on the mudflats scores of resting Black-headed and the occasional passing Herring Gull plus a lone Little Egret.

A few of the resting Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Moving on down to the viewing area a Swift flew low on front of me and I was to see another over an hour later whilst watching the lagoon in front of the old barn.  Once at the viewing area a number of Shelduck on the very depleted water along with a small group of Black-tailed Godwit along with a trio of Knot keeping them company.  At the back  the water a small number of Redshank. Then it was back to the car to deposit the scope before heading along the cycle way to the old barn and discover who was resting on the small lagoon.  In the event, just a single Black-headed Gull on a post on the  water but resting on the bank a score of Lapwing plus a few more gulls and both a single Moorhen and Coot.  Then, over the water, the first of a handful of Barn Swallows and the second Swift of the morning.  In the small trees behind me a pair of House Sparrows and a handful of Goldfinches plus a pair of Greenfinch and a quartet of Blackbirds.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Leaving the water and taking the path on towards the seawall I continued until I reached the Deeps.  Nothing deep here as just the tiniest of streams to be seen.  Resting on an island a handful of Mallard and beyond them at least ten Little Egrets and a couple of resting Heron.  However, stopping to check the grazing store cattle in the field to my right I eventually discovered two Cattle Egrets, well concealed by the long grass but a record shot managed on the return journey.  With the camera playing up and refusing to auto focus, just a few shots today but having to use a manual focus, much to my annoyance.

Distant record shot of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (dead centre)

Returning to the old barn rather than continue on a clockwise circuit as I turned away from the sea wall at least six Barn Swallows passed overhead along with a single Sand Martin.  Back at the lagoon a trio of Black-tailed Godwits had arrived to join the resting Lapwing.  During the period between leaving and returning to the old barn, the number of resident Canada Geese had increased from a few score to well over 200 individuals but, again, given the height of the dry grass most were well concealed.  In the distance beyond the reed bed a massed flock of Starlings in the air for a short while.

3 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa arrived to rest in the water

Leaving the old barn I followed the designated path upsteam alongside the river noting very many resting Mallard, more Canada Geese and a few Coot. A Dunnock flew up into the lower branches of a bare tree and then I was through the gate and up the steps to the sea wall.  The tide very much now on the way in and covering just about all the mud but I did find a single Curlew and on the far river a pair of Mute Swans.  No need to go any further as birds on the main lagoon were now nearer to me and making my way back to the car a Great Black-backed Gull flew past.  And for the first time ever I think, not a single magpie seen during the visit!

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Lapwing, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank,  Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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Normandy Lagoon and Pennington Marshes

 Thursday 30 August

After almost 8 weeks recovering from the "Pagham Incident" I finally got to go "proper birding" this morning with an early morning visit to the New Forest cast south of Lymington to walk around Normandy Lagoon followed by moving over to the nearby Pennington Marshes. After the recent high temperatures, arriving at 7.30 greeted by calm weather and much cloud making it more pleasant for the gentle meander around the lagoon with the nearby Solent at almost low tide.

Mainly Sandwich Terns Stella sandvicensis

Lots of Black-headed Gulls with there maturing offsping but also some good waders including 3 Whimbrel and 8 Curlew. 43 Redshank and a single Greenshank also noted plus over a score of Oystercatchers. Many terns on the islands and in the air with Sandwich outnumbering the Common Terns. Just the pair of both herring and Great Black-backed Gulls plus a couple of Heron and 8 Little Egrets.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Small birds included Kingfisher, Dartford Warbler, Stonechat and Chiffchaff along with Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Moving over to Pennington Marshes with most of the waters almost empty, no less than 14 Dunnock, 12 Pied Wagtails and 3 Meadow Pipits. Even better the 3 Whitethroat and single Lesser Whitethroat. One flock of over an hundred Starling then the 8 Greenfinches and trio of Goldfinch plus a male Reed Bunting and pair of Linnet. Many birds seen at both sites including the Heron and Great Black-backed Gulls. 43 species in total for the morning.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Gentle walking at the first stop but stretched my legs a bit at the second stop to make sure all working, even if quite tired when I returned home just after lunch. But progress is being made ; no pain killers for almost three weeks, the back healing and just finished the ECG monitoring so trusting that the heart has been sorted.

Yes, I drank and took plenty of water with me - even if I was on my own!!!

Sandwich Terns Stella sandvicensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Eider, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

More Sandwich Terns Stella sandvicensis

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