Titchfield Canal and Workmans Lane

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

 Wednesday 30 August

With friend Richard Osman we were at the Titchfield canal car park by 9.30 and, once a quick tour round the spinney at the back, off down the canal side path to the far end of the avenue.  Lovely sunny weather, no wind and perfect for birding. The initial short circuit produced a number of Woodpigeons plus Chiffchaff, Robin, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Blackbird and Great Tit. Once back at the car to collect the scope we also noted a passing quintet of Starling and, of course, the first of the morning's Carrion Crows.

Stopping to check the distant water of the Bridge Street Floods, we had numerous House Martins feeding above whilst on the far side of the "river" a trio of Glossy Ibis.  Just a handful of Mallards, a pair of Teal and the odd Black-tailed Godwit.  However, also walking the shallows was a lone Greenshank and tucked in against the nearside bank a very brief glimpse of an Egyptian Goose.

Very distant record shot of Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

A large flock of Rock Doves was seen on the far side and then approaching Posbrook Floods a quartet of Heron and a Little Egret on the water.  Also present a half-dozen Black-tailed Godwit and a handful of Mallard.  This area not only produced both Wren and Magpie but a single Barn Swallow amongst the overhead House Martins and then a couple of Cormorant flying up river.

Making our way back to the car park we stopped to watch a quartet of Greenfinches busy devouring the now ripe blackberries when they were joined by first a pair of Whitethroat then a female Blackcap.

Greenfinches Carduelis chloris

A last look in the little copse behind the car park and then a drive to the relatively nearby Workmans Lane at the western end of Warsash.  On this occasion, parking at the entrance to the horse field made it worthwhile to carry the scope to the occupied fields where, from the donkey paddock, we not only found a Wheatear, Stonechats and Whitethroat but also a pair of Whinchat.  And as we were about to depart a single Garden Warbler put in a brief appearance in front of us.

Distant record shot of Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

A pair of Barn Swallows cam to drink from the puddle on the path behind me and then a female House Sparrow atop the nearest bush.  Moving towards the end of the track we stopped to watch the numerous Linnets and then a closer study of the main horse field on our right which not only produced very many Jackdaw along with a number of both Carrion Crows and Rooks but, eventually, a couple of Yellow Wagtails.  A most rewarding morning which produced 37 species.

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

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