Workmans Lane and Solent Shore to Warsash

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Thursday 17 August

Away by 9.15 with Richard Osman to top of Workmans Lane then walk to shore, via a loop within the Horse Fields, before making our way back to Warsash.  Pleasant birding weather with just a slight breeze and not too hot. 

After the initial Magpies and Woodpigeons walking down Workmans Lane all relatively quiet until we reached the horse fields.  Yes, we had Robin, Carrion Crows and a few Greenfinch but it was the walk along the bottom of the horse fields that produced a number of small birds including Dunnock, Wren, Whitethroat, Linnet and Stonechat.  Then, once in proximity of the horses themselves, at least a dozen Yellow and even more Pied Wagtails.  And as we returned to the lane, a Collared Dove by way of change from all the Woodpigeons.

At the bottom of the lane a half-dozen Mallards resting at the side of the small private pond on our left and time to sit on the rocks for a coffee as we studied the bird life on the beach with the tide almost fully in.  A pair of Oystercatchers and amongst a couple of Black-headed Gulls six very busy Turnstones.  Just beyond an immature Herring Gull was sharing space with the small Black-headed Gull.  Meanwhile on the third marker post out at sea a single Cormorant was taking a rest.

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

So on towards the Meandering Pool with a Common Tern passing us as it headed in the opposite direction.  very little birdlife here, just a pair of Starling and three Mallards.  Then, as we moved on towards the Scrape, a flock of forty Starlings passed over the area and out at sea a quartet of foraging Sandwich Terns close in to the shore.

Fishing Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis 

Moving through the gorse area we found four Northern Wheatear and then it was the Scrape.  mainly resting birds including forty Black-tailed Godwits and twenty Avocet.  Also present a couple of Redshank and four Little Egrets.  A pair of Little Grebes were then recorded and a closer look at the nearest island found a Common Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls along with a pair of Teal and a single foraging Dunlin.  On the smaller island a further Oystercatcher and a pair of Moorhen.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

However, it was as we started off again that we both had a magnificent view of the female Sparrowhawk that flew low past us on the seaward side.  So impressed watching the bird until it disappeared over the gorse and out of sight that I completely forgot about the camera hanging on my shoulder; I just enjoyed the spectacle and memory of the moment.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Very little else to report until we were in the lee of the Spit and the water fully in leaving no exposed area. A lone Rock Dove flew overhead making its way to the trees at the back of the reedbed and on the opposite side of the water first a single Common Sandpiper then a pair of resting Ringed Plovers. In the thick blackberry bushes to our right over a score of House Sparrows were enjoying the soft fruit, as had we at the other end of the beach walk!

House Sparrows Passer domesticus

Birds seen:

Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Overlooking The Scrape

Mainly Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta with Black-tailed Godwits

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with Turnstones and Oystercatcher

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Common Gull Larus canus

Immature Herring Gull Larus argentatus with smaller Black-headed Gull

Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Peek-a-boo Dunnock Prunella modularis

Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

Turnstones Arenaria interpres

Even a Rat Rattus norvegicus put in an appearance!

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