Warsash, Hampshire

 Tuesday 31 August

An overcast morning in Warsash with a light breeze and a misty drizzle trying to decide whether or not to turn into a more persistent period of light rain. Leaving the Dunnock feeding in the garden I drove to the southern end of the village to walk along Workman's Lane and on down the narrow track to the shore.  Once parked at the top a leisurely wander to the far end of the metalled road produced Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and a good-sized flock of low feeding House Martin.  Having reached the track leading into the horse fields I soon found a couple of Yellow Wagtail and back at the road both Robin and a pair of Magpie.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Then it was on down to the end following the track to the shire where I found the receding tide.  On the muddy exposed beach a small number of Black-headed Gulls and single Turnstone and Oystercatcher. 

Oystercatcher Haementopus ostralegus

Within minutes the Oystercatcher number had increased to a dozen and accompanied by 27 Black-tailed Godwit.  Also present a few Herring Gull and as a sandbar appeared just off shore a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

A flock of Starling came down to feed on the seaweed plus a pair of Collared Doves.  Before starting the return walk I was busy checking individual gulls when I located up to a handful of Mediterranean Gulls.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Re-joining the path leading back to Workman's Lane a trio of feeding Blue Tits which disturbed the nearby Chiffchaff.  The small pond below also held a couple of Mallard and a trio of Moorhen.  Once back on the metalled Workman's Lane the local reserve held many low-feeding House Martins along with both Sand Martins and Barn Swallows. Finally, on returning to the car a Chaffinch in the neighbouring tree.

What might have been a distant Peregrine Falcon turned, out when enlarged with binoculars, to be a metal owl scarer; a sort of "Long-eared Peregrine Owl"

Birds seen:

Mallard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin ,Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie. Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch.

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