Normandy Lagoon and Pennington Marshes

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii

 Sunday 16 June

What a beautiful, sunny start to the day and even the wind had abated to an acceptable breeze. So, off to Normand Lagoon near Lymington with Barbara and Derek Etherton and the planned follow-on site of Pennington Marshes.  Arriving at the entrance gate at 9.20 we quickly recorded Robin, Wren, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon and the first Whitethroat before setting off to the seawall and the search for the visiting breeding pair of Roseate Terns.

Once on the seawall we quickly noted the resting Canada Geese and immediately in front of us a Ringed Plover with a Little Ringed Plover on the far side of the first shallow water. The first Redshank was also noted along with a few Avocets, many with their recently hatched youngsters. A Cormorant flew off and a couple of Little Egrets were seen. A little further away a pair of resting Shelduck and an Oystercatcher and then we noted not only our first Common but also a fishing Little Tern.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Mallards and Tufted Duck along with a Great Crested Grebe noted on the man waters and even a Carrion Crow flew across the back.  However, it was the very many Common plus the fishing Little Terns that drew our attention as we, successfully, concentrated on locating the visiting Roseate Terns.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

Also lovely to see the occasional lapwing plus the three Redshanks that sat calling away on nearby posts making us aware of their hidden chicks.  As for the Avocets with their recently hatched youngsters, a delight to watch.  Leaving this site with the sight of Chaffinch, Magpie and Blackbird we made the shirt drive to Pennington lane.

Redshank Tringa totanus

At the entrance to the Pennington Marshes by 11.30 we immediately came across many singing Whitethroat and a few, high Swifts as we mad our way slowly across the meadow towards Fishtail Lagoon. Magpie, Carrion Crow and House Sparrow were recorded and then, at the northern end of the water, a resting Heron. Close by many Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls whilst behind us a couple of Sky Larks, Chiffchaffs and a number of both Chaffinch and Linnet. 

Heron Ardea cinerea

Moving on alongside the view overlooking the water we added a pair of Mute Swans with their cygnets plus a number of Shelduck and a departing Cormorant. Just a few Mallards but almost 50 resting Black-tailed Godwits at the back of the water.  In the near vicinity, Avocets and a few Coot plus a number of Little Egrets. Near the shore the reeds held a number of Reed Warblers and then a passing Song Thrush.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor with cygnets

Having found the distant Canada Geese, Tufted Ducks and Lapwing, a small flock of Starling on the shore and we also became aware of both the House and Sand Martins above us.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Checking the Coot and Mute Swans on Butts Lagoon in front of us we also found a single Little Grebe.  Walking to the western side we found a couple of Little Tern feeding in the channel and then a Common Tern plus our first and only Redshank at this site.  The return walk took us across the northern end of Butts Lagoon to take the eastern path back to the car and this produced both Sky Lark and Linnet. On the path back we also added Blackbird and Pied Wagtail and, finally, a couple of Barn Swallows.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

With no rush to get home, we drove to Keyhaven itself and walked from the car park to the lagoon where we discovered we could not open the gate to the hide.  However we were able to look over the northern water to our right and found both Black-headed and Herring Gull.  A Kestrel flew over and then back to the gate from where we could check the empty basin in front of us and found Little Egret, Mallard and Oystercatcher. And in the harbour basin itself a pair of Mute Swans with five cygnets.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor with cygnets

A Carrion Crow flew past and back on the sandy shore we then added Avocet, Shelduck, Lapwing and Coot, and at the very far back in the shallow water, a Spoonbill.  A couple of Woodpigeon plus a male Blackbird were flying between the nearby trees and as we set off for home we came across a female Pheasant.

Fishtail Lagoon overlooked by both Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight including the Needles

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Roseate Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Sky Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Avocet taking no messing from the wandering Little Egret Egretta garzetta

The Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus colony on Tern Island

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii on nest (centre) with Common Tern Sterna hirundo and chicks at front

Departing Common Tern Serna hirundo

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

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