Hayling Island

 Tuesday 7 November

Female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Off early in lovely sunshine but a very cold breeze to the "Billy Line" reserve at the Hayling Island Oysterbeds, arriving at exactly 9 o'clock as the tide was making its way out.  Once parked up at the northern end car park, I was able to pick out a small number of Black-headed Gulls along with a half-dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a handful of Redshank.  A Carrion Crow passed overhead and I was to see many more once further down the coastal footpath foraging on the outer banks of the abandoned oysterbeds.  However, the target bird for the morning was the long-staying female Long-Tailed Duck in winter plumage that had been present for the past week.  Would the duck still be on site as I made may way to the oysterbeds?

Curlew Numenius arquata

Once at the coast I was able to immediately come across very many Brent Geese and this first small flock was accompanied by a Curlew, Grey Plover and Turnstone.  Almost immediately a huge flock of Dunlin flew past and I was later to find a resting flock of at least 60 individuals.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

The next large bed held almost thirty Shelduck and then on the following small, grassy bed where I found both a Greenshank and Heron along  with more Redshanks.  Indeed, most of these beds held an isolated Little Egret.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Once again, on the more open bed I came across not only Dunlins but a score or more Grey Plovers.  The Carrion Crows seemed to be well occupied at the water's edge and it was soon time to arrive at the main water which would normally hold hundreds of Breeding Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls.  On this occasion, apart from the odd Little Egret and Black-headed Gull there appeared to be no bird life but then the passing solitary Great Crested Grebe.  I though the water completely empty as I approached what looks like an abandoned bus shelter but then, to my great surprise and pleasure, there was suddenly a lone bird n the water.  Yes, the visiting female Long-tailed Duck which had been busy feeding underwater.  Watching the duck for a considerable time she seemed to spend almost a minute on the surface followed by what looked  like two taps of the head on the water then a dive.  Each dive seemed to last for about thirty seconds so with this regular timing an opportunity to try and be ready for the next photograph.  Indeed, this was to be the last species seen on the walk before making my return to the car.

More shots of the female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Making my way back I took time to pay more attention to the many Grey Plover and then another Herring Gull followed by a pair of Magpies near the pool on my right having reached the old "Billy Line" and a last look at the large oysterbed on my left produced a pair of sleeping Wigeon.

Grey Plover Pluvuialis squatarola

With time to spare rather than straight home arriving in Warsash I deviated to drive down Workmans Lane and take a walk along the bottom of the horse fields.  Lots of Carrion Crows about along with a couple of Rooks and a pair of Magpies.  Towards the far end of the main track the field on the right held a pair of Oystercatchers and, suddenly, a flock of about forty Linnets accompanied the odd Goldfinch (and even a Robin) appeared near the last major puddle on the track to drink and bathe.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Time to check the main field on the right and, as expected, very many feeding Pied Wagtails and more Carrion Crows but also a handful of Jackdaws in the trees at the back.  A large flock of Starlings passed over as I made my way back to the car.  Strange to find some very large mushrooms growing in the grass next to the viewing point at the fence, some almost twenty centimetres in diameter, but would they have been edible? 

What might these Mushrooms be?

Taking another look in the nature reserve on the other side of the road I could seen that the many Carrions Crows had been joined by almost thirty Curlews who had come to rest along side the pond created in a dip following the recent heavy rains.   In the end, a most enjoyable and rewarding morning.

The resting Curlew Numenius arquata flock

Birds seen:    

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet.

The female Female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Pair of sleeping Wigeon Anas penelope

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.