Saturday 6 November
Now back in Warsash on Southampton Water at the mouth of the Hamble river and just this one chance for a quick venture out before sorting Internet problem and completing the Day 2 Covid test, etc. Tomorrow up early for a morning visit to Keyhaven near Milford on Sea with the Hants Ornithological Society so it was a quick drive through the village top take the path to the shore at the end of Cowes Lane, A Snow Bunting had been reported as present for the past few days but upon arrival at the site was inundated by dog walkers returning form their early morning shift.
Walking down the lane I had a first Blackbird followed by Magpies and Carrion Crows along with a handful of Jackdaw. No shortage of Wood Pigeon and then once on the shore itself the tide was just beginning to recede. No sign of the Snow Bunting but a walking northwards produced first a Cetti's Warbler followed by Linnets and a Stonechat. A couple of Little Egret flew over and then the sight of eight Brent Geese on the water a couple of metres off shore. As I watched a further score flew past along with the occasional Black-headed Gull.
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| Five of the two score Brent Geese Branta bernicla |
Returning to the entrance gate, and noting the five Teal on the small pool, I then continuing on southwards where the newly exposed mud had produced a small group of Turnstone along with three Redshank. A dozen Oystercatcher were feeding a little further on and in the not too distant bay I could see a further two score of Brent Geese. Looking towards the sea I was impressed the with eighteen Curlew that flew north and then inwards to a neighbouring field.
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| Foraging Turnstones Arenaria interpres |
Still no sign of the visiting Snow Bunting as forty-five minutes later I made my way back to the car for the short trip home and some breakfast. Stopping at a gate to check the field between me and the shore I noticed the resting Roe Deer and almost immediately in front the flock of Curlew that had passed me not fifteen minutes earlier. To my right a Herring Gull was resting on the front lawn of a large house whilst Magpies and Jackdaws squabbled on the roof and a small flock of Starlings flew across the area.
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| Distant Roe Deer with accompanying resting Curlews Numenius arquata |
Birds seen:
Brent Goose, Teal, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.
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