Male Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator |
Wednesday 3 January
Yesterday's gale has died down leaving a windy but relatively clear sky so, perhaps, a last chance to drive over the oysterbeds alongside the "Billy Line" on Hayling Island to see if the long-staying Long-tailed Duck is still present. Surely by now, especially as we now have a southerly wind, this visitor will be heading off back northwards asap?
Arriving on site by 8.50 so that I could still be back in Warsash before the arrival of second son and wife for the day I found the tide well out but many close Brent Geese. Also alongside the main car park almost thirty Shelduck and plenty of Black-headed Gulls. But just the one Redshank. Turning to the sea walk alongside the oysterbeds I found eight Mallards on the large pool to my left of the old railway track and the occasional passing Carrion Crow.
Very little to see on the empty beds as I made my way south but certainly no shortage of both Oystercatchers and Redshanks on the shores. The occasional Curlew and more small groups of Brent Geese also present. A lone Meadow Pipit flew across the path and a little later a small charm of Goldfinch.
Brent Geese Branta bernicla |
However, reaching the main, always full of water, main water not a sign of the duck or any other bird. And as I moved on to check the far end of the bay a sudden distant Little Grebe put in an appearance. Once at the lower car park I could see many more Oystercatchers and Brent Geese along with both Curlew and redshank. At the far end a handful of Dunlin at the water's edge and, for a change, mainly Herring Gulls.
Female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis |
Making my way back towards the car using the railway track I encountered a couple of Blackbirds, trio of Magpies, Robin and a pair of Long-tailed Tits. I did, however, make a quick return to the main pool and was delighted to find the the Long-tailed Duck had put in an appearance. Not only one lovely bird but also a trio of Red-breasted Mergansers, two females along with the male, so well worth the diversion.
Female Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator |
Then it was back to the car and just in time as the next shower arrived. Very short-lived so time to have a final look at the shore with the now incoming tide and delighted to discover a quartet of Avocet; another new bird for the month and year.
Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta with (below) Black-headed Gull and Shelduck |
Birds seen:
Brent Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Meadow Pipit, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch.
Female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis |
Female Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator |
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna |
No comments:
Post a Comment