Hook with Warsash Nature Reserve

Sunday 1 September

Off from home at 9am and so much for the dire predictions of an amber weather warning of heavy thunderstorms and lightning with sudden, dangerous risk of flooding as, arriving at the top of Workmans Lane we started our clockwise circuit via a diversion to the horse fields then on to the Solent shore and back to Warsash via the Scrape. Dry and relatively calm to start with and just  few scattered clouds but becoming warmer and warmer without a single drip of rain (all day) and the temperature reaching its predicated afternoon high of 27C before noon.  Great to be out and about and enjoying the continuation of summer!

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima

By the time we had reach the track along the bottom of the horse fields we had recorded Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin and Woodpigeon and once near the horses themselves a quartet of yellow wagtails of to the left.  Beyond the horses many more Carrion Crows along with a trio of Rooks. In the donkey paddock area a couple of Stonechat and a handful of Linnet but neither Whinchat nor Wheatear. A walk to the far end also provided neither but upon returning a charm of almost twenty Goldfinch drinking from the puddles on the track and resting in the nearby leafy bushes. A couple of Whitethroat was a pleasant addition and then a raven passed overhead moving from the horse field to the distant trees beyond the donkey paddock.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

A Dunnock suddenly appeared at the bottom of the e large bush to the right of the donkey field gate and, whilst watching the mix of Goldfinches and Linnets in the bushes at the back of the stable a Sparrowhawk swooped down and chased a, presumably Linnet, but without success before disengaging its predation and moving away.  A very high and distant Herring Gull was noted in the same distant area followed by a trio of Barn Swallows making their way eastwards.  Making our way back to the lane, not only Carrion Crows and a few Rooks away to our right but now joined by a dozen Jackdaw taking advantage of the horse trough for some liquid refreshment.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Moving from the lane to take the tarmacked path down to Chilling Head we herd regular calls from a nearby Green Woodpecker and once on the shore the sight of five Cormorants on the water.  A male Kestrel was hovering above us to the right and a couple of Black-headed Gulls were seen close to the shore moving up Southampton Water. Soon we were at the Meandering Pools where we found a single Little Egret and a Black-headed Gull.  Continuing on, passing through the gorse are we added a Skylark plus another Stonechat and a couple of Linnets. Then, at the far end where we re-joined the beach, a couple of Wheatear resting on the new fence pots.  A third Wheatear was then found a little further along towards the Scrape.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Once at the Scrape with its high water level given that the tide was at its zenith, a small number of resting Mallard on the first islands and a handful of Avocet.  A few more Black-headed Gulls resting on the "shelf" towards the back along with a couple Herring Gulls, single Oystercatcher, more Avocets and a score of Black-tailed Godwits.  A lone Moorhen was working its way along the shelf between the gulls and waders.  On the water itself at least four Little Grebe and a newly-arrived Little Egret from the north.  Meanwhile a Cetti's Warbler was calling from immediately below us.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Once past the first viewing point we stopped to look back at the water and now giving us a clear view of the northern end and noted the single Heron resting at the side of small island along with a few more Mallard and another Moorhen.  The long-staying single Shelduck was making its way across the water surrounded by a quintet of Mallard. 

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

So back to the Spit where we came across eight House Sparrows and a quartet of resting Little Egrets at the far end. Finally arriving at the harbour, on checking the little pie aside the car pack Richard found a wandering Pied Wagtail to complete the morning's birding after almost three and a half hours during which we had walked just over three miles.  Time to adjourn to the "Rising Sun" for a pint!

Pied Wagatil Motacilla alba yarrelli

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Back-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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