Lower Hamble River, Warsash

Saturday 18 February

Back from our Spanish visit and a first opportunity to get out for a little birding, albeit after lunch in order to let the tide recede.  A cloudy, miserable day with the feeling of damp, if not wet, in the air as I walked up past the conservation area and back taking 75 minutes for the 4kms.  As soon as I reached the river path I notice a trio of Brent Geese and single Black-headed Gull alongside a quartet of Black-tailed Godwits.  An octet of Turnstone flew downstream towards the mouth of the river.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Continuing on upstream the inlets with water held a number of both Wigeon and Teal along with a single Little Egret and a Greenshank.  Ere long more Wigeon plus a score or more Dunlin and a Little Grebe fishing just of the shore.  A quartet of Carrion Crow flew into the area to forage on the mud and then many more Wigeon and regular sightings of dozens of Black-headed but only the occasional Herring Gull.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Approaching the flat, shallow area of mud on the inland side of the path I counted 14 Shelduck with the same number of Canada Geese feeding on the grass of a nearby house.  Also present in the next garden a trio of Magpie and a handful of Meadow Pipits.  Meanwhile, at the water's edge, the only Grey Plover to be seen this afternoon.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

The conservation provided many more Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwits and Black-headed Gulls along with a dozen Teal.  Yet another Little Egret to make three in the area and more Carrion Crows whilst a Robin sang from the top of a bare tree and the first Woodpigeons put in an appearance.  Making my way back to the end of the path and on to the house I noted the single Great Black-backed Gull resting atop a mast of a moored yacht just off the water's edge and, right at the end of the walk, a pair of Mute Swans leisurely making their way downstream.

Male Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

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