Warsash and Solent Shore

 Friday 8 September

View of the Scrape with its Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and many more.

Still dry and warm with any breeze but a little, this hazy cloud kept the temperature down for my outward walk along Warsash shore and on down the Solent to the Meandering Pool before starting my return journey home. An immediate Black-headed and Herring Gulls along with both Woodpigeon, Robin along with feeding House Sparrows made an encouraging start to the early morning.

House Sparrows Passer domesicus probably taking on grit as they feast on the nearby ripe blackberries.

Once alongside Strawberry Fields I had a better view of the shore and recorded Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher whilst a Great Tit was very bust behind my back. Arriving at the School of Navigation pier the sight of very many Redshank along with more Black-tailed Godwits and Oystercatchers before finding the Little Egrets. A handful of Rock Doves was feeding on the muddy shore as were a number of Carrion Crows.  On the far side at the edge of The Scape the only Heron to be seen on this visit.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Once reaching The Spit I found a flock of 28 Canada Geese along with more Black-headed Gulls and a few Black-tailed Godwits.  On the Solent side of the Spit over 90 Oystercatchers feeding in the pebbly mud accompanied by a good number of Carrion Crows.

So many Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Moving on down to the Scrape I found a further nine Canada Geese along with seventy Black-tailed Godwits and 33 Avocet.  Also present over thirty Mallard and a couple of Teal. Just the single Little Grebe and Shelduck but also a half-dozen Barn Swallows feeding above the water.  No Coots seen and just the one Moorhen.  

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

So on to the Meandering Pool which had simple a pair of Mallard on the northern end but making my way back to the Scrape a single Great Black-backed Gull was making its way northwards. Once at the latter water I found a single Common Sandpiper on the far side before continuing homewards.  And resting on a post nearby a magpie wondering what to do next.

Magpie Pica pica

The mud around the School of Navigation finally produced both a Ringed Plover and couple of Turnstones.  Then, on the final path in front of Strawberry Field a Dunnock and both Blue and Great Tits.

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Of some interest, as I was walking southward a familiar noise form behind me caused me to turn and watch the paddle-steamer "Waverley" heading down water towards the Isle of Wight.

Paddle steamer "Waverley" making its way south past the Fawley Oil Refinery

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

The Canada Geese Branta canadensis flock in the shelter of the Spit.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Beautiful cobwebs in the early morning light

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