Solent Shore, Warsash

 Wednesday 1 September

Yachts and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa lining the shore at the mouth of the River Hamble

Finally out of the house for a last birding walk before our departure back to Spain.  Dry, but cloudy and  breezy walking the shore of the Solent south from Warsash.  With the tide well out by now, scores of both Black-headed Gulls and Black-tailed Godwit making the most of the feeding opportunity on the muddy flats.  Indeed, by the time I returned there was a continuous line of Black-tailed Godwits in front of the moored yachts.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Finally making my way round the confluence of the river to access the shore of Southampton Water numerous gulls, including a small number of Herring Gull, scores of Black-tailed Godwits and a good number of Redshank all busy feeding on the newly-exposed mudflats. More concentrated viewing also identified a Little Egret and many Oystercatcher.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus with hungry youngster

Very little to be seen until I reached the Scrape (pond) at the back of the shore where I found a number of Mallard, a handful of Little Grebe and single Little Egret and sleeping Heron.  But plenty of ripe blackberries to whet my appetite!

The Scrape on Hook with Warsash Nature Reserve

Making my way back to Warsash the tide had receded sufficiently to reveal the long spit at the mouth of the Hamble upon which a couple of Cormorant were resting.  There were now five Carrion Crow on the mudflats and the first of three Curlew were noted.  A large flock of Starling flew down to the shore line to forage.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Almost at the end of the walk before I saw my first Wood Pigeon, most surprising, and then a Robin singing its heart out from the top of the sailing club headquarters and with the best possible view over the water.  Rather than first, my sole Magpie was the last sighting of the morning.

One very happy Robin Erithacus rubecula

Birds seen:cula

Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Oystercatcher Haementopus ostralegus

Redshank Tringa erythropus

Curlew Numenius arquata

Curlew with Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher

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