Workmans Lane, Warsash

Monday 24 August

Back again this morning at 8.20 and success with both Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail recorded, but just single sightings.  Also present three Whitethroat and Stonechats.  Out of the nearby bush a Blue Tit then a Blackbird at the back of the paddock.  On the walk down Workmans Lane I had seen a couple of Robins and once in the horse field both Rook and Carrion Crow.  As I left, a couple of Magpies, Woodpigeons and 14 Barn Swallows.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

As an extra treat, lovely to come across three Roe Deer in the field on the right just after setting off down the lane.  

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

Birds seen:

Kestrel, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

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Workmans Lane, Warsash

Sunday 23 August

Arriving back in Warsash just before noon following my visit to Blashford Lakes, I decided to make a slight detour and walk down Workmans Lane to check the horse fields for any Yellow Wagtails.  No sooner had I set off than I came across a Common Redstart quickly followed by a Chiffchaff.  A handful of Barn Swallows flew past overhead and on reaching the horse fields a quintet of Magpies in the nature reserve on the right.

Walking up the path at the bottom of the horse field I soon added Carrion Crow, Jackdaws and Rooks but no sign of either Yellow Wagtail or Whinchat on this occasion.  A pair of Linnets as I made my way back towards the road and off to my left a flock of at least 80 Starlings in the air. On the fence as  approached the gate a Whitethroat.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

back at the gate I could see fifteen Barn Swallows resting on the wires above and a couple of Woodpigeons moving across the field.  Then, walking back up the road, a Robin resting on the wires above.

Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica

Bird seen:

Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Common Redstart, Robin, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

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Blashford Lakes

Sunday 23 August

Up early and at Blashford Lakes near Ringwood in the western New Forest by 8.30.  Starting at the Goosander Hide I had almost an hour enjoying the birds on view including Mute Swans, Mallards and a few Coot.  On the edges, a few Lapwing plus many Egyptian Geese along with a lone Snipe off to my right.  Nearer to me, at least eight Common and one Green Sandpiper then, best of all, a couple of Grey Wagtails arrived right below the hide. Both Pied Wagtail and a single Heron were also recorded.  Before leaving the hide, also a Little Grebe to my right, a single Dunlin on the water's edge to my left and just the one Sand Martin put in an appearance.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Out on the main Ibsley Water a number of resting Cormorant could be seen on one of the islands off to the back right along with more Lapwing and very many Egyptian Geese.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Time to move round to the Tern Hide for a clearer view of the main water.  making my way back to the car I stopped to watch a Great Spotted Woodpecker on a tree to my immediate left along with Dunnocks on the path.   Approaching the car both Carrion Crows and Jackdaws in the trees ahead of me.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Once in Tern Hide, very many Coot plus a good number of Mallard on the water.  Off to my left a few Tufted Duck and then the count of the Great Crested Grebes.  At the far back a number of Greylag Geese and many more Egyptian Geese, a making a final total of 62.  Nearer to me a couple of Blackbirds foraging on the land out side the hide.  Then, finally, time to check the main island off to the far left which, in addition to Cormorants and Egyptian Geese held very many gulls, mainly Herring but also Lesser Black-backed and two Great Back-backed Gulls.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Arriving at the Centre's car park across the road I first went straight to the Ivy South Hide where I found more Coot and Cormorants along with a a dozen Gadwall. next t was back through the trees to Ivy North Hide which proved to deplete of birdlife.

Roosting Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo

Before departing for home I took the long walk through the trees to reach both the small viewing hide overlooking Ivy Lake, which produced more Mute Swans and a Moorhen, and Rockford Lake off to my left.  Here I found a couple of small, gravel islands close to the shore which contained resting Black-headed Gulls and a pair of Common Terns with their two well-grown chicks.  

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

The walk through the trees also produced three Nuthatches, Great Tit, Robin, Blue Tit, a couple of Chiffchaff and a Song Thrush.  All in all, a most enjoyable and rewarding morning and well worth the journey.

Record shot of the Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

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Farlington Marshes

Friday 21 August

Back to lovely sunshine and almost clear blue skies with just a very gentle breeze as collected by friends Richard Osman and Adrian Enzner, we set off for a morning at Farlington Marshes with the tide already half-way out. Driving down the lane to our far end parking spot both Starling and Carrion Crow on the lamp posts and no sooner underway than both Robin and Woodpigeon recorded.

Onwards to the viewing platform overlooking the lake and noted a Great Tit in the trees to our left and a Common Sandpiper on the small pond with Adrian also noting the overflying Rook.  As we approached the sea wall many Black-headed and Herring Gulls along with five Curlew, a quartet of Oystercatchers and a Little Egret on the harbour mud flats but just a single Lapwing and seven Shelduck on the lake.

Having also seen a score of Canada Geese at the water's edge in the harbour we then made our way back to the steps and access to the field path towards the river.  Here we found scores of Canada Geese and and almost as many Mallard.  In the neighbouring hedge at least seven Linnets and a pair of Magpie.  Fifteen Black-tailed Godwits and a lone Avocet also resting alongside the many geese. Continuing on we cam across a small charm of Goldfinches and both Adrian and Richard saw a pair of Blackbirds.

Once at the old barn and looking back at the lagoon we found no less than 61 resting Redshank along with a score of Lapwing plus both Coot and Moorhen.  A single Black-tailed Godwit was feeding close to the fence in front of the seat and was still present when we return less than an hour later.  A Dunnock had been recorded along with a pair of Whitethroats as we reached the end of the field and whilst at the lagoon observed at least six Barn Swallows.  Overhead, a pair of circling Buzzards.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

As we moved on towards the eastern sea wall, we stopped to watch the steers being examined and inoculated which also gave us chance to see the three Cattle Egrets depart from the area.  By the time we reached the turn in the path we had closer views of the Cattle Egrets.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Once on the sea wall we walked on to the Deeps but, stopping at the seat for a rest and drink, watched as a pair of Bullfinches flew past along the arrow valley between the brambles and meadow.  On the sea side at very low water we found more Canada Geese plus both a Heron and a few distant waders.  The Deeps proved very disappointing with hardly any water to be seen and the only bird being a single Pied Wagtail.

Returning the same way back to the lagoon, as mentioned above the Black-tailed Godwit was still feeding in exactly the same position and more Lapwings had arrived to join the other resting birds.  Above a Swift arrived to make the final tally for the morning 34 species.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Swift, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch.

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Titchwell Haven

Wednesday 19 August

The drought finally ended with light rain starting before 6am and continuing till around 11.45.  Lovely sunshine but then a heavy, half-hour downpour around 12.45.  However, all cleared up and able to visit the members only opening of Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve from 6 till 8pm.  Glorious sunshine but a very strong on-shore breeze.  And that's where the good news ended as, unbeknown to me at the time, I had left my rucksack by the front door so no camera, bins or even a notebook.  Good job the scope was already in the car's boot!

Sheltered from the wind once inside the Meon Hide and already scores of Canada Geese had arrived to join those already present.  Similarly, scores of Common Terns including many youngsters still being fed by parents.  Black-headed Gulls by the dozen with similar number of Mallards.  No Herring Gulls present but these, along with a pair of Mute Swans and their two well-grown cygnets, were seen on the open sea with the Solent having reached hight tide.

Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Checking the water in front of the hide a good number of Teal, mainly at the back, along with a small number of Gadwall and five Shelduck.  A lone Egyptian Goose was resting on the furthest island.  Also present a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a quartet of Oystercatchers but just the lonely two Lapwing. Beyond the water in the now dry pool a lone Heron.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Continuing to scan the water with the scope I also found  a handful of Moorhen and on the small gravel island immediately in front of the hide, a Common Sandpiper with a second resting on the adjacent wooden perching rail. A Woodpigeon flew over and at the very far back above the trees a quartering Marsh Harrier.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

An early departure enable me to reach home in time to watch the three Welsh Male Voice Choirs competing at the national Eisteddfod.  Not a bad way to the end the day.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Lapwing. Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Starling.

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Titchfield Haven

Goosander Mergus merganser

Sunday 16 August

Off nice and early to call in at the old cemetery for St Edmunds Church in Crofton, Stubbington at 7.30 for thirty minutes.  No sign of the recent Spotted and Pied Flycatchers but did come across a Green Woodpecker along with Blackbird, Robin and Blue Tit.  Then it was on down to the Meon shore at Hillhead for 50 minutes before spending an hour in Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve.

Arriving in the shore at 8.20 with the ide well out I was amazed to count at least 220 Common Terns on the shore line along with a scattering of both Herring and Black-headed Gulls along with a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls.  Also found near by a dozen Sanderling, a handful of Redshank and a small number of Oystercatchers.  Even a single Little Egret and a lone Starling.

In the Meon harbour itself thirty Mallard a few Black-headed Gulls and a lone, immature male Goosander.

Goosander Mergus merganser

Back to the roadside viewing point and the lake also held  more then a score of Common Terns along with a small number of Black-headed Gulls, a Moorhen, seven Coot and a few Mallards. A couple of Cormorant flew over.

Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Time to enter the reserve and spend just about an hour on the Meon Hide.  Until I left and saw the arrival overhead of maybe 60 Canada Geese, just a half-dozen on the islands in the water.  On the other hand, the number of Common Terns with well-grown youngsters must have totalled more then fifty and one pair still feeding four very small fluffy chicks. On that far island also seven Avocets making  a total of ten on the water along with five Shelduck. And many more Gadwalls in sight this morning.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta (left) with Common Terns Sterna hirundo (front) and Canada Geese Branta canadensis

A steady movement of Moorhens and on the small island immediately on front of the hide the two well-grown juvenile Common Terns being fed by parents and a pair of Common Sandpipers.

Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos

At the back of the water, in addition to the single Heron to the right another eight resting on the dried lake behind along with  Lapwing.  Nearby three Black-tailed Godwits and resting on the bank at the very far back of the water what looked like a Black Tern but turned out to be a Gadwall.  Immediatlkey in front a Teal.  Photos taken and whilst the bird was smaller then the young Mallard nearby.  Once the photos were enlarged the bird looks more duck than Tern so necessary to seek some advice to identify the bird.

Four of the nine Grey Herons Ardea cinerea

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Goosander, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Gadwall Anas strepera with a Teal Anas crecca in front.

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Titchfield Haven

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Friday 14 August

Collected Richard Osman at 8.15 then straight to the Meon mouth at Hill Head to check and visit Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve.  Arriving twenty minutes later we first checked the lake from the roadside viewing point before walking on the harbour and sailing club to check the Solent itself before returning to enter the reserve itself.  Already very warm and sunny so will only be staying until just after 10.30.

Also the first visit to Titchfield Haven Reserve this year where we found the water in front of the Meon Hide awash with bird life, mainly Canada Geese and Common Terns but also the close Common Sandpiper and a lone Gadwall amongst the Mallards.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Lots of resting Common Terns on the lake plus a number of Black-headed Gulls and, on the water, a dozen or so Mallard.  On the far bank a handful of Redshank and couple of Moorhen plus a juvenile Water Rail and a lone Lapwing. Making our way to the harbour more Black-headed Gulls and Mallards and then, from the sailing club, lots of Herring Gulls along with a single great Black-backed Gull and a small number of Turnstone.  Richard noticed the overflying Cormorant.  Working our way back to the car and then on the nature reserve entrance we found a Goosander fishing in the harbour.

Some of the many Common Terns Sterna hirundo found on the roadside lake

Once in the reserve straight to the Meon Hide where we spent much time checking the mass of birds present.  Scores of Canada Geese and Common Terns along with plenty of Black-headed Gulls.  The small island immediately in front of the hide held a pair of juvenile Common Terns still being fed by both parents and a single Common Sandpiper.  A second sandpiper was found on the island beyond.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Towards the back on the remaining islands and far shore more of the same but also a single Black-tailed Godwit, a couple of Oystercatchers and three Grey Herons.  But centre water towards the back we also found a quartet of Avocet.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Eventually we left the hide and made our way down the western side to the Pumfrett Hide we came across both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and from the hide views of the back of the Meon water with a half-dozen Black-tailed Godwits, the Oystercatchers and Common Terns.  Also closer views of the Herons and another along with three Lapwing and a handful of resting Black-headed Gulls and the dried up lake to our left.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea and so many Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Working our way back towards Titchfield and Richard's home, as expected, we came across the Jackdaws near the cemetery in Posbrook Lane.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Goosander, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Water Rail, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Mainly Canada Geese Branta canadensis accompanied by Common Terns Sterna hirundo with a lone Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta in the foreground right.

Titchfield Haven from the Meon Hide

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