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| Brent Goose Branta bernicla |
Monday 8 November
Time to head north to our little house in Stamford but not before a last minute check on the reported Snow Bunting on the shore just south of our new-to-be home. Parked up at the bottom of Cowes Lane, Warsash before 7.45 and greeted by Collared Dove, Starlings and Jackdaw before the walk down to the shore. A beautiful, clear, sunny morning with clear blue skies and no wind but, unfortunately, the low sun was direct into my eyes so took a 500 metre walk upstream to see what might be about. Both Magpie and Carrion Crow were soon observed and soon I came across a small group of both Oystercatchers and Brent Geese. Wood Pigeons were seen near to the trees at the back and then a pair of Mallard on the small pool along with the occasional passing Black-headed Gull.
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| Brent Goose Branta bernicla |
Time to turn and retrace my steps back to the start of the beach walk and continue on until I reached Workmens Lane. On the way more Oystercachers recorded along with the first of many Turnstone. A Little Egret flew away from me and then a short stay from a trio of Redshank before they, too, moved southwards to be found again at the end of my outward walk.
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| Oystercacher Haematopus ostralegus |
Once at Workmens Lane I could see at least a hundred or more Brent Geese on wither the shore or resting at sea. In addition to the feeding Oystercatchers there was a flock of many score resting on a sandspit a little way off shore. Feeding at the edges a small group of Curlew along with more Redshank. Then a party of Black-tailed Godwit arrived and, in addition to the Herring Gull, a single Greater Black-backed Gull was resting close to the shore.
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| Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus with Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa |
A few smaller birds were noted on the return journey with the advantage of the sun behind me including House Sparrow, a single Robin, Blackbird and very small charm of Goldfinch. Just the hour for this visit but21 species recorded. But all was not done! Approaching Cowes Lane and the car I stopped to check the open field to my left and there sniffing its way across the back of the field was a Fox. Regular stops as if had located some small morsel then back on its way again but never really breaking the low cover for a half-decent photo.
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| Our friend (or foe?) Reynard the Fox |
Birds seen:
Brent Goose, Mallard, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.
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| Curlew Numenius arquata with Oystercatcher and Black-headed Gull |
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| Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus |
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| Magpie Pica pica |
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| Robin Erithacus rubecula |
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| Turnstone Arenaria interpres |
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Not just many feeding Oystercatchers H.ostralegus but scores resting on a shallow spit off shore
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Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information
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