Titchfield Canal

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Thursday 7 November

Another dry, overcast and grey day but with an encouraging breeze starting to pick up, so off to Titchfield Canal with friend, Richard Osman to wander down the path and back covering almost three miles.  very much hard going having to look for birds other than those on Bridge Street Flood and a few on the more distant Posbrook Flood.  But not all bad news as just over three hours later we had actually recorded 30 species.

First to park in the small parking area we quickly encountered both Magpie and Woodpigeon and a walk to the back of the car park produced a Wren.  As we approached the overhead wires a female Kestrel moved over and came to rest atop a pylon. As we set up to check the distant Bridge Street Floods we had a passing Carrion Crow.  On the water, a very large flock of resting Black-headed Gulls along with a score of Black-tailed Godwit, almost as many Lapwing and a small number of Teal and Pintail plus a couple of Moorhens.  Moving on down the path we not only found a quartet of Mallard close to the water but also a Water Rail nearer to us. The nearby tree also produced both Blue and Great Tits.

Female Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Reaching the bridge we stopped to check the Posbrook Floods and found a quartet of Gadwall and a single Little Grebe.  Very little bird life here other than a few Mallards and Coots plus a pair of Shoveler and another pair of Pintail.  meanwhile we continued to come across both Robins and Cetti's Warblers  and walking through the avenue added Blackbird and Jackdaws. A Cormorant flew eastwards and then we were away from the avenue for a long extended walk.

Away to our right a large flock of Rooks near the farm building and then a Raven passed over to be mobbed by a quartet of Carrion Crows.  A handful of Starlings moved by us overhead and then a first Chiffchaff of the morning.  A second (male) Kestrel was seen hovering over the field to our right and remained for long enough to attempt some flight shots.

Hovering male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Once back in the avenue and a stop to re-check the waters of Posbrook Floods and not only a Heron but a passing Marsh Harrier noted by Richard.  Finally, we found a small flock of Long-tailed Tits as we approached Bridge Street Floods and on the opposite side of the path a Goldcrest.  Once back at the car and the scope deposited, we then took the short walk up the canal on the eastern side of the road as far as the church.  Still no sin of the long-staying Glossy Ibis this morning but we did finally get to see a Chaffinch.

Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Little Grebe. Cormorant, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Water Rail, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Chaffinch.

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