Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Wednesday 19 April 

having forgotten to put the car on charge last night, it was a case of visiting the nearer Fishlake Meadows in Romsey rather then Pennington Marshes.  All being well that will be tomorrow's visit before the arrival of rain for Friday and the week-end.  Again!

A view over Fishlake Meadow

A lovely three hours in dry, if ,occasionally, windy conditions but the birds were singing and much to be seen as I walked the complete site in my wellies so as to pass the flooded track to reach the two screens and an extra trip up to the main road to check the southern water for the viewing gap on the bank. As soon as I arrived I noted the few Magpies and many Woodpigeon and then it was a question of recording all the small birds including Robin, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird and a number of Cetti's Warblers.  Moving on down the path from the car park I soon added many Blackcap and then the first of regular songs and sightings of Sedge Warblers - but not a sound of any Reed Warblers.  However, I did also find a lone, male Reed Bunting resting atop a small tree.

Distant Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenu

Even more distant male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Using both scope and bins to look across the meadow towards the distant water, I could see a Mute Swan and single Little Egret before coming upon handful of resting Cormorants.  The honking soon drew my attention to the many Greylag Geese present and feeding over the water this early in the morning a good number of both Barn Swallow and House Martins.  Then, immediately overhead a Buzzard being mobbed by a male Kestrel and the former was soon joined by its partner; beautiful sight.  Also in the area a few foraging Carrion Crow.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Carrying on round to take the flooded path towards the two viewing screens I was continually caroused by the singing Sedge Warblers and also picked up a pair of Gadwall on the first water along with the previously seen Mute Swan.  From the viewing points I was able to note the number of Canada Geese along with more Greylags plus a Coot, couple of resting Teal and a few Mallard and Gadwalls.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

On my way back to the car park I could hear a regular close by a Pheasant and finally found a couple of Dunnocks.  Yet more Wrens seen along with both Robin and Sedge Warbler and then a distant Great White Egret flying low behind the trees to land in a more exposed place at the end of the wood. Once again both Buzzards put in a close appearance as they moved out over the meadow from the adjacent wood. 

A shy Dunnock Prunella modularis

Leaving the scope in the car and changing back into trainers to walk to the roadside viewing point, I immediately found a small number of Chaffinches and a trio of House Sparrows on the path in front of me.  Once overlooking the lake a few Cormorant and a couple of Greylag Geese along with a handful of Tufted Ducks and a Coot.  On the far side a resting Little Egret and then a trio of fishing Common Terns.  Also present a pair of Herring and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls before finding my final birds of the morning with a trio of Great Crested Grebe.

The Greylag Goose Anser anser pair

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coot, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Herrin Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

More shots of the Buzzards Buteo buteo

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