Hayling Island Oysterbeds

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

Male Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

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