Warsash and Solent Shore

Skylark Alauda arvensis

Friday 26 July

Back to some sun once again but still a fair amount of cloud and at least no discernible wind. Time for a walk along the shore from Warsash and down to the Solent and then on till the Scrape before making my way home. Lots of Black-headed Gulls about and then both a Carrion Crow and the fist of over seventy Black-tailed Godwits recorded during the walk. Both House Sparrow and Robin were seen as I walked past Strawberry Fields and then the sight of a flock of fifteen feeding Redshank along with a sole Curlew.

Carrion Crows Corvus corone

Approaching the School of Navigation the first of the morning's handful of Herring Gulls and a small family party of Starlings atop a tree to my left.  Not just Woodpigeons as I continued on but also a single Collared Dove and then a couple of Magpies foraging near the small pond just beyond the pier.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Reaching the Spit the inlet held a good number of Black-headed and a quartet of Herring Gulls but also a single Yellow-legged Gull.  A couple of Mallards were also recorded.  On the Solent shore of the Spit at least forty Black-tailed Godwits and a similar number of Oystercatchers flew in. Above me a Common Tern which finally moved off southwards.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

Making my way to the Scrape I found another Magpie and, upon arriving, a pair of Avocet on the water along with more Black-tailed Godwits, Black-headed Gulls and a dozen Mallard.  Even the Common Tern had arrived and feeding just beyond I noticed the Little Egret.  Off to the right of the water a pair of Little Grebe.  Almost on front of me a Reed Bunting alighted for a minute or so.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Walking through the gorse area to the Meandering Pool and back I was able to find a quintet of Linnet, pairs of Skylarks and Greenfinches followed by a male Stonechat.

Greenfinches Carduelis chloris

Finally time to return home and passing just beyond the Spit came across a Common Sandpiper feeding alongside a Black-tailed Godwit and then, approaching the sailing club in Warsash, a lone Turnstone feeding at the water's edge.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Birds seen:

Mallard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Robin, Stonechat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Heron Ardea cinerea

Magpie Pica pica

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Redshanks Tringa totanus

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