Hook with Warsash Nature Reserve

 Sunday 19 March

A lovely sunny start to the morning and time to be out of the house rather than tying bird reports!  Accompanied by Jenny we drove to the top of Workmans Lane to park the car then set off down said lane to the shore.  Whilst I continued the whole way back to Warsash and then home, Jenny took the path from the shore back up Cowes Lane to collect the car.  She would probably have been pleased to miss the additional birds but back in the car to avoid the arriving more cloudy and cooler morning!

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

No sooner had we started down the lane than we quickly added Robin, Dunnock, many Great Tits, Blackbird and Carrion Crow to the list.  Approaching the large field on the right we found  quintet of resting Curlew along with a single Roe Deer.  Crossing the lane to check the horse fields we then added a Magpie and a pair of Herring Gulls before finding a trio of resting Roe Deer which appeared to be youngsters until one stood and, presumably, all were simply taking a knap whilst the sun was shining. Woodpigeons abounded along with all the Carrion Crows and reaching the entrance to the horse fields we had another Blackbird as well as a passing Song Thrush.  A short walk into the fields produced both a Kestrel and Greenfinches before restarting our walk.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Having noted more Great Tits on the local feeder we spent some time watching Magpies to our right whilst unsuccessfully trying to located the noted Little Owl. However, we did find the pair of Jay. A couple of Chaffinches were also foraging in the area and moving on we quickly added both Chiffchaff and Pied Wagtail.

Jay Garrulus glandarius

At the end of the lane we discovered that the tide was once more just about fully in following immediately after the first of the double tide feature of Southampton Water. A Moorhen and a pair of Mallard were on the small pond on our left but nothing apart from a single Brent Goose on the open water.  On the other hand, the hedge to our right held both a Blue Tit and lonely Goldfinch.

Son on tot he shore walk and nothing to add before Jenny took the path towards Cowes Lane.   A Little Egret arrived nearby at the same time and then I made my way towards the Meandering Pool where I found a small number of Teal along with a single Shoveler. At the back of the water a flock of approximately forty Starlings were working the hedges.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Arriving at the Scrape I found a Canada Goose, pair of Oystercatchers and a handful of sleeping Curlew at the back of the reedbed as a Coot moved out into the channel.  Once in sight of the open water, I added the resident pair of Mute Swans, along with a pair of Gadwall, more Teal and Wigeon plus four Shelduck.  A pair of Little Grebes were diving for food and even a one Redshank was noted on the far bank.  However, the sight of a single, male, Tufted Duck was most unusual for this water.  Nearby, one of three Linnets came to rest and then a Wren put in an appearance below me.  

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

So, leaving the many Black-headed Gulls behind I moved off and headed towards the Spit. With the water at high tide most of the birds had moved away but there was still a good number of Black-headed Gulls to be seen along with both a single Redshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Nothing else to report until back at the School of Navigation pier where I found a pair of resting Herring Gulls and a couple of Rock Doves. In the trees below Strawberry Field a pair of Collaerd Doves were taking a rest and from there to home it was simply a case of another handful of Black-headed Gulls. So ended a most pleasant walk and without the need for a heavy coat.

Herring Gulls Larus argentatus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Robin Erathicus rubecula

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Canada Goose Branta canadensis with Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus and Curlew Numenius arquata

Three more Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

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