Titchfield Canal

Sunday 19 May

Western end of Posbrook Flood

Lovey sunny day but a little on the cloudy side with a cool breeze when I arrived at Titchfield Canal to start my walk at 9 o'clock. Wren, Robin and Greenfinch in the car park as as soon as I reached the canal the first of four Cetti's Warblers recorded during my ninety minutes on sight. Both Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon passed overhead as I started down the path towards the bridge.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

Checking the Bridge Street flood to my  left I found four Mute Swan along with a similar number of Shelduck plus Mallard and Coot.  Off to the far eft in the muddy area a couple of Little Egret and  handful of resting Black-headed plus a couple of Herring Gulls. The wires above me held a singing Whitethroat and then the first of a number of Blackbirds during the morning. A pair of Canada Geese flew over towards Posbrook floods and, upon reaching that site, found another dozen along with a quartet of Greylag Geese. To the back at least three Herons recorded.

Rear view of Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Once just beyond the bridge having added Great Tit to the morning's list, a good view of Posbrook flood which held another pair of Mute Swan and a pair of Great Crested Grebe.  In addition to more Mallards, a pair of Gadwall at the back of the water.  Feeding above the water a couple of House Martins and a handful of Barn Swallows.

Moving along the avenue Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Jackdaw noted until reaching the seat at the end where I stopped to admire the distant circling Red Kite. A Song Thrush in the neighbouring tree and as I made my way back a lone Lapwing feeding on the mud close to the path.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Continuing along the gravel path back towards the car park a Buzzard off to my left and high above a couple of Common Swifts.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Once the scope left with the car a short walk up the canal path on the other side of the road past the stables produced a trio of Magpies and another Buzzard.  Then, as I exited the car park, a House Sparrow on a roof on the opposite side of the road next to the upper canal.

Magpie Pica pica

Birds seen: 

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

Male Blackbird Turdus merula

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

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