Warsash and Solent Shore

Male Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Thursday 9 April

Some sunshine but cooler than yesterday's very warm sunshine and today with a moderate, cool breeze as I walked along the Warsash shore and on down to the Solent.  Mainly Black-headed and seven Herring Gulls with a small number of both Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks on the muddy beach below Strawberry Fields. Also in the are both Robins and Carrion Crow and upon reaching the navigation pier an Oystercatcher and the sight of 35 resting Brent Geese.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

A Heron flew over the Spit and once near the lee side a pair of Mute Swans.  Passing through the small spinney both Wren and Great Tit and then on down to the Scrape.  On the way a pair of Linnet and at least three soaring and singing Skylarks.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Once at the Scrape many resting Black-headed Gulls and a pair of Shelduck.  But also resting behind the ducks a male Goosander.  Also seen a lone a Little Grebe and a pair of Mallard.

Continuing on down to the Meandering Pool I found my first Wheatear of the year as I passed through the gorse area.  A most handsome male.  Upon arriving at the pool both a Little Egret and another pair of resting Shelduck.  A lone Cormorant was fishing just off the shore.

Male Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

The return journey produced first a Moorhen and then a Blackbird along with a Curlew before arriving at the navigation pier.  A Cetti's Warbler was calling and, finally, the only Woodpigeon of the morning approaching Strawberry Fields. Approaching home, the very last tree on the walk produced a single Blue Tit.

Soaring SkyLark Alauda arvensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Goosander, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Wren, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Linnet.

GreyHeron Ardea cinerea

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

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Normandy Lagoon

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

 Wednesday 8 April

A beautiful warm and sunny day for my morning visit to Normandy Lagoon south of Lymington on the New Forest's Solent coast.  Lots of birds to be seen from the minute I stepped out of the car to walk to the sea wall.  Dunnock, Blue Tit, Song Thrush and Robin either at the roadside or entry field along with overflying Black-headed Gulls and Canada Geese.  At the back of the entry field on my left a score of Black-tailed Godwits in the company of a handful of Woodpigeon and a single Carrion Crow overlooking both.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Once on the causeway and at the first ponds a number of Shelduck plus Avocets and Canada Geese.  In the neighbouring water a good-sized flock of Black-tailed Godwits accompanied by a pair of Ringed Plovers and a wandering past Turnstone.  No shortage of Oystercatchers and more Herring Gulls than usual plus the distant Tufted Ducks and a number of Mallard.  In the far distance a sleeping Spoonbill and a pair of Wigeon.  Initially, just the one Lapwing.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Moving along a stop to check out the main island and its flock of Black-headed Gulls where I also discovered at least a score of Mediterranean Gulls. A Pied Wagtail wandered into sight and the few Redshank were replicated by more on the empty lagoon behind me where the tide was well on the turn. The first of three Curlew was then discovered and time to move on to the southern wall overlooking the Solent.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

More Black-tailed Godwits just off the shore and on the beach inside Normandy Lagoon both a Redshank and three Little Tern.  Looking across to the main island I also found a single Common Tern plus more Mediterranean Gulls.  Taking advice from the neighbouring birder I, too, checked the outermost spit and discovered the four Sandwich Terns.  Meanwhile, the feeding Greenshank was moving towards me.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

But, then, perhaps the highlight of the morning.  Right in front of me, no more than two metres away, a pair of Dartford Warblers foraging in the gorse bushes immediately next to the path.  Lots of good but obstructed views and then one of the birds put in an appearance on the outside of the bush and even perched atop the next so a chance for many close photos. 

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

Moving on eventually to the far end of the lagoon I also came across a single Brent Goose after passing the posing Stonechat.  Behind the goose a trio of Starlings on the grass and then back to the southern wall to check the sea where I found both a Great Crested Grebe and single Eider Duck.  A close view of another Redshank as I made my way to 8 Acre Pond where nothing new to add but a Magpie in the garden opposite as I made my way back to the road.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Once at the small spinney at the road I quickly added Blackbird, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff and Great Tit. More Blue Tits and even a male Blackcap seen. The walk back to the car then produced both House Sparrow and Wren and as I moved off a Pheasant walked across the road in front of the car to give a final total of 45 species for the morning.

Male Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Eider Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dartford Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

Redshank Tringa totanus

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

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Titchfield Canal

Sunday 5 April

Lovely sunny start to the day albeit somewhat on the cold side as I drove over to nearby Titchfield Canal.  The car park already full before 9.30 so carried on less then a mile towards Stubbington to check if the visiting Ruddy Shelduck was about.  It was not but, as well as a handful of Woodpigeon, there was also a pair of juvenile Egyptian Geese on show.  On the other side of the road at lest half a dozen foraging Rooks.  Back to the canal car park and room for me to start my birding at 9.35.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (left) with Robin Erithacus rubecula

Still sunny but feeling cold as I set off towards the canal path and neighbouring spinney at the back of the adjacent pumping station. Here I found both Blue and Great Tit along with a Jay and Magpie and the first of the many Chiffchaffs recorded in the following two hours. back on the canal path a nearby, noisy Green woodpecker along with Jackdaw and a Blackbird and time to check out Bridge Street Flood.  Whilst the Cetti's Warblers were in full voice behind me I recorded many Mallard, along with Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler and Shelduck.  Also on the water a small number of Canada Geese with five Cormorants at the far, southern, end of the water.  In addition at least 18 Black-tailed Godwits. But, what a surprise when I saw the Ruddy Shelduck wander into view at the extreme end.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Continuing on down the path to the hard-surfaced avenue I added Wren and Robin and, once opposite the Posbrook Flood a small number of Coot plus a couple of Little Egret, more Shoveler, Mallard and Shelduck.  Even a lone Mute Swan. Just the three Herring Gulls and then the site of both Red Kite and a male Marsh Harrier in quick order overhead.  Meanwhile, over the flood at least 40 feeding Sand Martins low over the water.

Record shot of male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Near the far end of the avenue I added both Long-tailed Tit and a Goldcrest with a Stock Dove alighting on a tall tree on the other side of the canal.  Checking out the exposed water at the back of the tall grass between the two floods I found a pair of Greylag along with a couple of Canada Geese.  back at Bridge Street Flood a Great Black-backed Gull had appeared.  So, 11.45 and time to return home having recorded a marvellous 39 species.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow.

Magpie Pica pica

Distant shot of the Stock Dove Columba oenas

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Hamble River, Warsash

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Saturday 4 April

family arriving a 11.30 so a quick walk across the road to the Hamble River and up to the first muddy island at low tide to see if the visiting American Golden Plover was still about and, hopefully, nearer and in better lighting conditions.  It was and much appreiated I am sure by the other eleven birders I met on the way, at the same viewing or as returning home fifty minutes later.

Approaching the ferry pier a couple of Oystercatchers plus 18 Black-tailed Godwits and 19 Brent Geese at the water's edge. No shortage of Black-headed Gulls and as I moved onwards both a Little Egret, a handful of Redshank and a pair of Shelduck.  Off away to to my right at the back of the meadow a quartet of Canada Geese.  Then on site to find the American Golden Plover walking around at the near edge of the mudbank in good light if a little distant.  Very easy to find most, if not all, of the necessary identification features, especially the elongated supercillium.  Wonderful.

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Leaving the other quintet of birders behind I carried on up to the conservation passing a pair of resting Mute Swans as a lone Cormorant flew upriver.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Reaching the conservation area with a few resting Black-headed Gulls I found a pair of sleeping Teal but the last of the Wigeons seemed to have moved on.  However, at the back of the water the pair of Mandarin Ducks seen earlier in the week were now wide awake in front of me.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Having found a Black-tailed Godwit at the back of the water I then discovered a lone Curlew but not before enjoying the sight of a Spotted Redshank on the left-hand side of the water with its moult almost completed and looking almost black and signs of the spots beginning to appear.  So not just the American Golden Plover to bring a smile to the face!

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

I thought my birding was complete but as I made my way back to the viewing for a second look at the American Golden Plover, a Great Crested Grebe fishing on the water, the Mute Swans making ready to depart and then a single Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Even a Pied Wagtail on the shore.  To complete the observations I managed to find one of the Grey Plovers whilst observing the visiting plover and a single Turnstone flew past before coming to rest near the ferry terminal.  A great morning and all completed in 50 minutes giving time to change before guests arrived.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (centre left)

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, American Grey Plover, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Teal Anas crecca

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