Farlington Marshes

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Tuesday 27 August

Mixture of sun and cloud with a gentle breeze as I set off for a clockwise visit to Farlington Marshes, arriving by 9.15. Making my way anti-clockwise to the viewing area I soon encountered both Robin and Woodpigeons.  Once on the harbour wall with the tide half-out a number of Black-headed Gulls along with a handful of Oystercatchers and a pair of Curlew.  A small number of Herring Gull were then noted before arriving at the viewing area where I added the hovering Kestrel and a the first of the morning's Starlings.  On the pool in front of the viewing area a single Cormorant and a few Mallard.  Then a quartet of Shelduck put in an appearance.  A Greenshank flew over and out to the mudflats and a lone Mute Swan was seen a little further away.

Taking the path across the meadow alongside the river I note a score or more resting Lapwing along with many more Mallard.  A Great Crested Grebe was fishing mid-water.  However, the higher water level and the small bridge having collapsed I was forced to retrace my steps and fins an alternative path through the trees and bushes to my right before regaining the meadow path on the other side of the flooded area.  In doing so not only did I record a couple of Blackbirds but also a Green woodpecker that had been, presumably, feeding on ants immediately in front of me.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Once at the the brick barn the lagoon, too, was at a high level with no edges for the waders so just a large number of Coot and a handful of Moorhen.  On the water another pair of Little Grebe along with a Gadwall and more resting Mallards.  Behind the barn a Heron was resting atop the feeder and both Mallard and Moorhen were noted on the water along with another Little Egret.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis (right) with Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Moving further along I stopped to check the first few Canada Geese seen this morning and also noted the now apparent resident Barnacle Goose.  On the other side of the track amongst the the grazing cattle a pair of Cattle Egrets were noted. A half-dozen Linnets flew over and came to rest on a nearby fence and a little further on a male Reed Bunting was also seen.

Linnets Carduleis cannabina

Then followed the completion of the clockwise circuit where I recorded more Canada Geese resting/feeding in small groups and the occasional Magpie and Carrion Crow.  Even another three Herons before completing the walk. Ad once on the far seawall overlooking the mudflats towards Portsmouth eleven resting Harbour Seals.  Finally, once back at the viewing area, a Redshank and two more Curlew feeding in the gullies and mudflats to my left.

Eleven resting Harbour Seals Phoca vitulina with Portsmouth in the background

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Actually 2 Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis on show

Curlew Numenius arquata on the mudflats at low tide

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