Lower Hamble River

Wednesday 20 December

Wigeon Anas penelope, Brent Geese Branta bernicla and Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

It was a dry but dull and cloudy morning and having finally sent, I think, the last of the Christmas cards, I decided to take a quick walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back lest the wet stuff should decide to put in  further appearance.  By now the tide was just about at its lowest level, so much distant sightings and still really too far with just the binds.  Not to worry, the walk will have done me good and, perhaps, I'll get back out earlier tomorrow morning and take a walk in the opposite direction towards the Solent.  Hopefully, that will produces more than the 20 species recorded today even if there were at least 300 Dunlin and more than a score of Grey Plover.

A handful of the 300 Dunlin Calidris alpina

Nothing before the ferry landing point and very little until the next bay other than  few Carrion Crows and a Black-headed Gull.  Then, all at once, a score or more Wigeon along with the first large flock of Dunlin with a good 300 seen in the net stretch of beach.  A lone Little Egret was feeding in the channel on the meadow side of the path and a Little Grebe was fishing in the bay to my left.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

The next stretch of exposed mud produced more Dunlin along with a few Redshanks and a score or more Grey Plover.  On the flat mud of Bunny Meadow a Greenshank and a second mixing with feeding Grey Plovers and Dunlin on the opposite side.  Also on the muddy meadow a single Oystercatcher and the first of a few Herring Gulls.

Grey Plovers Pluvialis squtarola

Once at the conservation area I could pick up the few Teal and more recorded as I made the return walk. Also at this point the main flock of Brent Geese where previously I had only seen the odd handful. More Curlews, Dunlin and Grey Plovers were also noted.  Away at the back four sleeping Herons and yet another Greenshank close to both Teal and Wigeon.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Making my way back I came across a pair of Great Black-backed Gull and, my word, they made the passing Black-headed Gull look small.  A Kestrel was hovering above me and back at the pier I finally located a pair of Turnstone.  Strange to think the a pair of Woodpigeons were to be last birds seen before reaching home less than an hour after setting out.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow.

Teal Anas crecca

Redshank Tringa totanus

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Curlew Numenius arquata

Grey Plover P.squatarola with a Greenshank T.nebularia

Grey Plover P.squatarola

Sleeping Heron Ardea cinerea

Hovering Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Grey Plover P.squatarola, Dunlin C.alpina and Wigeon Anas penelope

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