Hamble River, warsash

Heron Ardea cinerea

Thursday 10 March

Time to get out and get some fresh air whilst still dry and reasonably calm, albeit a little on the cold side.  My walk up river was timed to coincide with the approaching high tide in the hope that the feeding birds at the water's edge would be pushed up towards the riverside path.  A male House Sparrow to see me on my way and arriving at the water's edge just after 12.30 I was greeted on the first mud flat by a handful of Brent Geese along with a pair of both Teal and Shelduck along with Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit.  Needless to say there were also a few Black-headed Gulls.

Female and male Teal Anas crecca

Passing the ferry landing stage I was aware that there was a Mute Swan coming down river towards me and more Teal along with a larger number of Wigeon feeding at the water's edge plus more Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits.  A Carrion Crow flew past and to my right a pair of Herring Gulls with a couple of Little Grebe on the main river.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Moving on upstream observing the small groups of Wigeon I came across a score or more Grey Plover resting at the far water's edge and to my right, in the conservation area, a lone Greenshank.  On this occasion very few birds in the area, jus a dozen Black-headed Gulls.  Turning to start my return journey, however, I did notice the newly-arrived Heron.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

The return journey, whilst providing plenty of Black-headed Gulls, Black-tailed Godwits, Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal, did confirm that numbers had somewhat reduced in the past week. A single Magpie was seen at the back towards the houses and on the shoreline a couple of Dunlin.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

However, it was not until I was back at the end of the riverside walk and about to take the hedged pathway back to the main road that  finally found a solitary Little Egret in the meadow to the landside and a trio of Turnstone on the rapidly reducing mudflat. The hedgerow itself produced both Chiffchaff and a Wood Pigeon to give a total of 22 species for the 3 1/2 km walk.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone,  Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (above and below)

Oystercatcher Haementopus ostralegus

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