Warsash Shore and Solent

Thursday 28 September

A few minutes after 8.30 this morning when I set off in cloudy and almost still weather to walk along Warsash shore to the Spit and then on down the Solent to both the crape and Meandering Pools before returning.  A couple of hours which finally produced 31 species.  Being  only two hours from high tide the water had pushed the birds up the muddy shore to give excellent, if dull, views of the Oystercatchers, Curlews, Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Naturally there many Black-headed and the occasional Herring Gull and closer observation also produced a trio of Turnstone turning over the soggy vegetation. passing Strawberry Fields a pair of Carrion Crows and a half-dozen Woodpigeon were noted along with both Robin and Blue Tit. Having already seen my first Little Egret I was to find a further quintet before reaching the Spit and six Mallard took off from the water.  Also present a dozen Rock Doves.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

More activity on the mud flats just after the School of Navigation including many more Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks and in the lee of the Spit a small group of Ringed Plover.  On the water itself a small flock of seven recently arrived Wigeon and a dozen resting Black-headed Gull.  More Carrion Crows and Oystercatchers could also be seen on the far side of the Spit.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Making my way to the Scrape I encountered the first of a quartet of Magpies and once arrive with a view over the water counted eight Avocet along with a score or more Teal.  Just the single Moorhen and Little Grebe.  On the far side a Kestrel was resting in a small dead tree. Making my way to the Meandering Pools, where just a further quartet of Teal were noted, A lone Sandwich Tern, was working its way up the Solent very close to the shore.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

The gorse area once again produced a number of Linnets and a lone Greenfinch before finding a single Whitethroat. 

Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Making my way back to the mouth of the Hamble River a noted a Cormorant making its way down the Solent.  A Wren was seen in the brambles near the drain and then back on the final walk near Strawberry Fields a trio of Collared Doves.  The final bird of the visit, a Pied Wagtail, was found feeding on the floating weeds back in Warsash at the edge of the slipway.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarellie

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus with Teal Anas crecca

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa with Redshank Tringa totanus

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