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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Titchfield Haven's Meon Shore

Sunday 26 July 

A breeze picking up and much cloud  I made a short early morning visit to the mouth of the River Meon at Titchfield Haven arriving at 6.15.  The high almost in but a few Black-headed and a single Common Gull resting on the sea wall as I parked my car near the harbour.  A short walk to the viewing point overlooking the pool at the southern end of Titchfield Haven where I found many Black-headed Gulls and Coots.

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus and Coots Fulica atra on the island

Also present a handful of Cormorant and a dozen or more Mallard.  At the far, southern corner a single Little Egret and a lone Redshank working the edges beyond the island.  As well as the Black-headed Gulls and mature youngsters on the breeding rafts, a lone Common Tern atop a post in the water.  Resting in the trees on the far side the first of three Woodpigeons to be seen along with the Magpie and Blackbird seen as I approached the canal at the edge of the reserve.

Distant Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Moving round to the harbour I found a score of resting Mallards along with 17 Turnstone and a couple of Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) still in summer plumage, foraging on what was left of the beach before the approaching high tide.  Two Cormorants fishing in the harbour were enjoying their breakfasts of good-sized fish as they struggle to swallow their prey.  The only other bird present was a lone Redshank on the near shore.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Making my way back home, as I passed through upper Titchfield Collared Dove, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow also noted, and then back home and in the shower well before 7.30am.

Birds seen:

Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Coot, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

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Hayling Island and Farlington Marshes

Wednesday 15 July

Collecting friend Richard Osman at 8.30 we were at the top car park on Hayling Island by 9am.. Tide still way out but a few Black-headed and Herring Gulls along with single Little Egret, Oystercatcher and Curlew.  Off round to the former oysterbeds and a pair of Black-tailed Godwits feeding on the inland water.  Above us both Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow then a circling Buzzard.  Over the pools in the oysterbeds a fishing Common Tern and more Black-headed Gulls plus a regular sighting of Little Egrets.  However, it was the hundreds of Starlings that seemed to have pride of place as they moved around in flocks of about 100 individuals.

Oystercatcher Haemantopus ostralegus

The back path produced a small charm of Goldfinches followed by a pair of Greenfinches.  two Blackbirds on the path in front of us.  Then we were the breeding pool with its many pairs of both Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls.  Yet more Little Egrets and Oystercatchers before we reached the Billy Trail for our walk back to the car.  The walk back along the path produced more Blackbirds and Woodpigeons before our first Robin and then a Whitethroat.  Nearing the end on the path before turning in towards the car park a quartet of Barn Swallows passed over and a half-dozen House Sparrows found something to feast on in the nearby bushes.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

After a short rest when back at the car park we made our way to Farlington Marshes on the way home.  Straight to the old barn to see if we might find a Bearded Tit (Reedling) but very windy so no chance.  On the edges of the lagoon a score of resting Canada Geese, a whilst on the water a quartet of Mallard and a pair of Shelduck.  Off to the right a couple of Lapwing and a single Moorhen. At the far end of the muddy shore four resting Redshank whilst overhead a handful of Swifts and a pair of Barn Swallows. Scores of Starlings moving about and settling in the tops of bushes.

Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Our walk back to the car took us along the river and then through the trees towards the far end giving the opportunity to see Magpies and Dunnock plus a couple of Coot on the water along with more Mallards and and a few Lapwing plus scores of Canada Geese.  Just before turning away from the water we found a small party of Black-tailed Godwits along with a few Redshank and six Greenshank, all thanks to meeting up with fellow birder, Ian from Gosport.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Disaster upon returning home when I discovered that ISO setting on the camera had been changed so giving almost whited-out shots - as you no doubt will have noticed!

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Swift, Barn Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Oystercatcher Haemantopus ostralegus

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The Visiting Night Heron

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Monday 13 July

Reports appeared on the "Going Birding Hampshire" site last Thursday that a Night Heron had been seen on Miller's Pond on the southern end of Sholing, one of the eastern suburbs of Southampton close to Weston Shore at the top of Southampton Water.  Reports of early morning sightings then continued until yesterday so after an unsuccessful visit in both morning and afternoon on Saturday I decided, if awake in time, I would have another go this morning.  Awake just after 4 I was able to creep out of the house for the fifteen minute ride to Miller's Pond where I duly arrived at 4.55.  Already one birder present for twenty minutes and he immediately pointed out the bird that was happily resting on lily pads about 20 yards away to the right.  The bird stayed for a further five minutes before flying left across the pond to come to rest on more lily pads tucked away at the far back below the willow trees.  Fortunately, still able to be seen by the two additional birders who arrived a couple of minutes later.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax with Coot Fulica atra in foreground

Having remained for fifteen minutes I then departed and a made a brief stop at Weston Shore at low tide to confirm the presence of scores of Carrion Crows along with both Herring and Black-headed Gulls.  A Little Egret put in an appearance as I was about to move on and behind me a number of Woodpigeon.  As I left the southern car park a Jay was foraging at the road side.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Another short stop at Sophie's Pond outside the entrance to Victoria Park in Netley found a dozen Mallard on the pond and a couple of Woodpigeon plus, now on the shore opposite, a female Mute Swan with her three cygnets.  Also on the shore mainly Black-headed but also a few Herring Gulls and, of course, more Carrion Crows.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor with her 3 cygnets

Great experience with first sighting of a Night Heron in the UK and back home and in bed by five past six!  Certainly a good way to start the week and with the back seeming to get better every day, now looking forward to venturing a little further way from home later in the week,.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Birds seen:

Mallard, Mute Swan, Night Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Jay, Carrion Crow

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Night Heron still visible at the far side of the pond

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Tidgrove Warren Farm near Kingsclere, Hampshire

 Saturday 4 July

Three weeks to the day since my "hearty hiccup" followed by the broken back discovered a week later (cracked vertebrae but not dislodged) and the one HOS (Hampshire ornithological Society) mee that I have looked forward to for the past two to three months or more.  Visitors to our home, a couple of shorts outings taken by Jenny driving but, on the other hand, no pain-killers taken for 5 days and everything seems to be on the mend.  But should I attend the field meeting at Tidgrove Warren Farm near Kingsclere to the north of the county?  With water already in the car and a further three bottle from Jenny I decided I would try and allowed myself plenty of time so need ned to hurry and a final message to Jenny to say I would be home somewhere between 10am and 1pm.  Sensible enough to know if the driving was too much then simply turn round and return home.

HOS members all set for off in search of the Stone Curlews

Hardly any traffic about on either the M3 or A34 and that I did meet rapidly overtook so giving me a leisurely drive and arriving onsite just after 9am. Time for more drink before meeting the those already present where coffee and biscuits on hand and Woodpigeons, House Martin, and Barn Swallow overhead with a Moorhen on the other side of the large pond.  Nearby, both Chiffchaff and Linnets.  Eventually, following an introduction the breeding Stone Curlews on site from our Chairman, Keith Button we set off on an anti-clockwise circuit of the area with a stop near the a nesting pair.  We had been warned that once we rounded the corner we would likely have no more then fifteen seconds to see the sitting bird move away from her stony scrape but once well beyond and above the site a good chance to get views of at least one of the Stone Curlews using scopes.  And so it proved albeit, on this occasion no Stone Curlew present but a quartering Kestrel flying very low over the field.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus at nest (PHOTO: Keith Betton)

As we made our way down the slope towards a created pool area to attract small waders a Mallard made a hasty departure and once on the other side climber a little higher to try and find the Stone Curlews.  One distant individual quickly found and later a second.  Many lucky folk managed to get a digi shot of the bird through Keith's Scope but not me.

Very distant Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Whilst in the area we had a number of Skylarks and Yellowhammers close to hand along with a long-staying Corn Bunting, albeit at a distance and partly obscured by leaves.

Record shot of Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra

Above us a continuous display by at least three Red Kite along with distant Marsh Harriers on the skyline and then a solitary Buzzard off to our left.  And, once again, our friendly Kestrel put in an appearance.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Having moved to the top of the ridge and made a left turn we stopped to admire the ruins of the previous Hunting Lodge of King Henry 11. The build was eventually demolished by King Richard III and materials used to build/repair the local church at Kingsclere.  However, whilst undertaking archialogical digs organised by Southampton University, a large key to the wine cellar was discovered and is still kept by the present owner, Raleigh  Place.  (But no wine!)  Raleigh also added that other monarchs to stay  at the lodge included King John John and, I believe, Henry III.

Site of Henry II's Hunting Lodge

Whilst overlooking the site and being observed ourselves by the passing Red Kites we also managed to find a third Stone Curlew, albeit, again, very distant and best seen seen through the scope.   At this point I made an early exit to walk slowly back to the car having probably stayed longer than I intended.  I continued to be accompanied by a Red Kite or two and once near the highest point good views and song from another Yellowhammer.

A most enjoyable morning and well worth the occasional slight discomfort.  I'm sure we, almost forty, members had a thoroughly good time in good company and so well led by our Chairman, Keith Betton.  Special thanks must also be made to our host, Raleigh Place.  No ton only for permitting and welcoming us to his home but also the additional support e offered to any needing car assistance; a most kind and generous man to a fault.

Distant preening Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Birds seen:

Mallard, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Stone Curlew, Lapwing, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Ban allow, House Martin, Skylark, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting.

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Hamble River, Warsash

Tuesday 30 June  

After all the excitement and drama a fortnight ago when I passed out and also later learnt that I had broken my back whilst visiting RSPB Pagham with friend friend Richard, it was time I, thought, that I actually got out of the house for the first time and took a gentle walk up Hamble River to the conservation area and back, albeit at mid-morning the tide was already almost full in.  As to be expected, not much to be seen but certainly surprised to find a trio of resting Black-tailed Godwits in full summer plumage at the conservation area along with a lone Grey Heron.

Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa

The outward walk had produced the expected gulls with five Herring and almost thirty Black-headed Gulls along with a couple of Oystercatchers.  A Pied Wagtail pass by as I walked above the now flooding Bunney Meadow and in one of the distant gardens both a Magpie and Woodpigeon.  Making my way back a Carrion Crow now in one of the larger gardens on my left and on the last remaining (small) island a foraging Curlew.  Not only had I reached double figures in the 55 minutes but walking the short path between shore and road a male Blackbird to complete the sightings.

Curlew Numenius aquata

The walk has been good for me to go with the last three days free of a pain-killer and a question of making a full recovery as the heart settles down and the cracked vertebrae heals itself, fortunately not having been displaced.  All being well, longer walks next week and, hopefully, driving again.

Blackbird Turdus merula

Birds seen:

Heron, Oystercatcher, Black-tiled Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 24 June 

Good to see the Arboleas Birding Group well represented on the last visit of the season at relatively nearby Sierra de Maria.  Not only a delightful report full of great birds but, yet again, some supburb illustrations from both Dave and Nigel.  For me, reading the report back in the UK, that standouts must surely be the Short-toed Lark, Roller and Bee-eater.  But there again, you also managed to record Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Hoopoe, Crested Tit and many Rock Sparrows, the birds seemed to be just coming and coming.  All very frustrated as I passed last week whist walking the marshes at RSPB Pagham and then express delivery in the yellow van with the flashing blue lights to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester itself.  50 hours lying on a bed before allowed home and now have an irregular heart bear that needs monitoring so welcome to my new life of daily betablockers and blood thinners.  Naturally, until sorted unable to drive.  That's the good news as I was not happy why my back was in such pain that I got myself over to Portsmouth on Friday for both an x-ray and CT scan and it turns out I broke my back when falling off the back of the bench I chose to rest upon.  More pills, more pain but I think all now seems to be on the mend as (at last) a quiet night last night but it could still be weeks before able to get out and about.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 24th June

Chauffeur Nigel picked myself and Peter (1) up and we headed north towards the Sierra de Maria.  After passing Velez Blanco the bird count started.  By the time we'd got to Maria town we had seen House Martin, Common Swift and Collared Dove.  In the town we added Spotless Starling and House Sparrow.

Hoopoe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We reached the La Piza forest cafe where the staff had kept the nut feeders supplied.  We added our peanuts to the feeders.  A waiter was filling the pool with water.  They are well trained now!  We were joined by Carolyn and her mother, Ros.  It's been 10 years since she last came out with us having returned to the UK.  Also with us was Trevor.  We saw at least 4 Jays, Chaffinch, Great, Coal and Crested Tits.  An Iberian Red Squirrel paid the pool a visit.  I spotted a Long-tailed Tit using the flowing water of the fuente. 

Red Squirrel (PHOTO: Nigel White)

For a change I travelled with Trevor, Peter with Nigel and Carolyn with her Mum.  Commencing the loop, a Jay flew across in front of us in the forest section. Various unidentified LBJs also crossed our path.  Crossing the fields we saw a couple of Magpies and some Crested Larks.  Near the village we added some Corn Buntings.  Stopping below the village we only added some Barn Swallows.

Jay (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We carried on along the track (Lots of road graders and rollers in evidence....hope they are going to tarmac the middle section!)  I spotted a large pale bird sat atop a tree.  As we approached a Short-toed Eagle took flight.  Further along we saw a single Bee-eater, then Trevor spotted a distant Grey Heron. There was still no sign of Rollers at the farm nest box, but we were thrilled to find one on a traffic sign. After chalking off some Woodpigeon, us in the front caught sight of a flight of 6 Black-bellied Sandgrouse.  Unfortunately an articulated low loader was coming the other way.  The sandgrouse disappeared behind a cloud of dust!

Bee-eater with large breakfast (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We arrived at the cliff face.  I glimpsed a pair of Black Wheatears shooting round the far side.  Distantly, above the face we saw about 6 circling Griffon Vultures.  Another Roller appeared. (Confirmed as Ros's new favourite bird!).  The cliff face was alive with the sounds and sights of Rock Sparrows.  We walked to the far side.  Was glad to see the Black Wheatears there.  We heard a Nightingale..."Merlin" heard a lot more!  Nigel added a Goldfinch.  Moving on I spotted a Black-eared Wheatear.  Just past the first farm buildings a small obliging flock of Short-toed Larks stood on the road.  (A first for Trevor).  Near the airfield a Carrion Crow flew by.  On the power lines going through the cave house village there were many Bee-eaters and a Hoopoe.

Short-toed Lark (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

The hamlet produced some Lesser Kestrels and another Roller sat on a TV aerial.  As it was getting hotter we adjourned to the La Piza Forest cafe, not adding any additional birds from the mornings visit.

We ended up with 31 species.  A brilliant days birding in great company to end our bird trips for the summer!

Roller (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Sending best wishes to all our members especially Les, Michael and Peter (2) who called in sick today.

We're back in September!  Have a great summer everyone!

Juvenile Griffon Vulture (PHOTO: Nigel White)

Regards

Dave

P.S. Congratulations to Nigel White for having two of his photographs chosen for the Walk For Life 2027 calendar!

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