Titchfield canal and Meon Shore

Tree-creeper Certhia familiaris

Tuesday 31 December

Last day of the year and with only a light shower during the night and our storm and tempest expected tomorrow, I took the opportunity of a morning visit to nearby Titchfield Canal.  Calm and broken cloud giving much better visibility than the past few days and all turned out well with 34 species recorded at the canal site.  Entering the car park I had views of both the local Jackdaws and Starlings and was, naturally greeted by the local Woodpigeons.

Checking the Brook Street Floods, I found very manty Black-headed, a few Herring and a trio of Great Black-backed Gulls.  Ducks were mainly Pintail and Wigeon along with a few Teal and Mallards plus a single Canada Goose.  Also present were a good number of Lapwing but only one Black-tailed Godwit seen in distant vegetation on the other side of the water.  Meanwhile, on the far side beyond the water, a couple of Magpies, a passing Carrion Crow and a very noisy Green Woodpecker.

Distant Bridge Street Floods revealing Pintails Anas acuta amongst others

Moving on down towards the bridge I noted both the Gadwall at the western end of the water and a lone Heron at the eastern end of the approaching Posbrook Floods.  Just inside the meadow  lone Herring Gull was taking a rest on the grass.  Not so many birds on this water but, again, more Pintail, a few Teal and a number of Shoveler.  In addition a number of Coot were recorded and a Cormorant was resting on the far side. From the bridge I also watched a pair of Blackbirds in a nearby tree which were then joined by a Song Thrush in search of the berries.  On the other side of the bridge a Wren was perched atop the fence and a Robin noted on the weeds upstream of the bridge.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Moving on down through the avenue I was intrigued to find half a dozen Chiffchaff moving about the old oil drums and water deposit behind the trees on the other side of the canal.  Not so much as interacting but definitely strange behaviour.  A further couple of Chiffchaff were feeding in the long grass between the path and the water.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

making my way back to the car park I took another look at Bridge Street Floods from the opposite direction and found not only a Shelduck but a pair of Egyptian Geese at the far end. Then back at the end of the path I stopped at the side of the pump station and watched first a Goldcrest in the bare trees separating it from the car park but also a party of six Long-tailed Tits whilst a Tree-creeper worked the nearest small tree not two metres away.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

The weather still fine, albeit a hint of a stronger breeze heralding what was expected within the next twenty-four hours, so I decided to take the road down to the shore at Hill Head and the Meon River harbour adjacent to Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve.  No shortage of Black-headed Gulls about and even a few Herring Gulls to be seen.  With the tide now fully in and a deep rather than almost empty harbour, initially just a handful of Turnstone and about a dozen Mallard.  A pair of Mute Swans with their well grown signet came toward me expecting the provision of food, but they were to be disappointed!  A Woodpigeon flew over the road and very little to be seen from the bridge looking towards the reserve.  That was until a couple of score of Lapwing accompanied by more Black-headed Gulls suddenly took to the skies but no sign of what might have alarmed the birds.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Once at the view point overlooking the lake a handful of Lapwing on the island in front along with more Black-headed Gulls on both the island and the neighbouring posts.  Just a couple of immature Herring Gulls on the island but looking closer able to identify ten Common Gull.  At the back of the water a small flock of Gadwall and at the far end towards the sea a similar number of Shoveler plus a quartet of Coot.

Moving across to the car park to look at the main beach I found eight Sanderling resting on the spit's shingle and a Cormorant flew towards us from the harbour entrance. I then walked back alongside the harbour to the far end and at the slipway looked across to find as many as forty resting Sanderling plus a score of Ringed Plover resting on the shingle at the end of the spit.  Indeed, somebody must have been feeding the ducks as not only had the Mallard flock more than doubled but there was also now more than a score of Turnstone on the harbour wall and adjacent fence. And on that note I made my way back to the car and drove home having reached a final (total) tally of 39 species for the morning - and still no rain as yet but the wind gradually gaining in strength so unlikely to be celebrating the New Year with some birding tomorrow.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Cormorant, Heron, Coot, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree-creeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, 

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More New Forest Birding

Sunday 29 December

Normandy Lagoon looking inland with many Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Back to the new Forest on Sunday morning, albeit still calm and murky/misty weather giving poor visibility.  This time to the Solent shore starting at Normandy Lagoon just south of Lymington with a follow-on to nearby Pennington Marshes. Arriving at Normand lagoon just before 10 there was already a mass of dogs and walkers but not seeming to interfere with my birding. Heading towards the lagoon from the car I quickly recorded Magpie, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow and Robin and once on the sea wall looking to the site aw many nearby Teal and Shelduck.  Right in front of me five Little Egret and a Heron and scoping further away soon picked up the nine Spoonbill and at at least a dozen Avocet.  

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia with Wigeon Anas penelope and Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

On the banks many Lapwing with foraging Dunlin, over forty Ringed Plovers and a couple of Turnstone at the water's edge.  As I checked out the whole water I soon found not only many Wigeon but a good number of Pintail plus Mallard, Shoveler and Tufted Duck.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Making my way to the far side I also picked the Brent Geese and a Little Grebe plus both Redshank and Greenshank.  Away to the south on one of the grassy spits out into the Solent proper a resting flock of at least fifty Oystercatchers. Nearby a Great Crested Grebe and a few Cormorant were constantly moving between this are and the lagoon.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

My return walk to the car took me towards Acre Pond and before leaving Normandy Lagoon I also managed to se both a female Reed Bunting and male Stonechat. On Acre Pond a good number of Coot plus more Wigeon, Mallard and a lone Canada Goose and another Heron.  In the nearby trees I also recorded Blackbird, House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Song Thrush.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Arriving at the bottom of Lower Pennington Lane I just managed to squeeze into the last available parking spot before starting and anti-clockwise triangular walk that took me first to Fishtail Lagoon before heading off via Butts Lagoon to Pennington Lagoon.  Dunnock and Woodpigeon as soon as I arrived and with flooding in the main meadow to my left no Golden Plover or geese but a dozen or so well-dispersed Lapwing.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Stopping a few times as I worked my way past Fishtail Lagoon I soon found a variety of bird life including the occasional Heron  and Little Egret plus three Spoonbill at the far end.  Nearer to me many Teal and Wigeon and soon I was also noting the scores of Pintail.  Mallard, Shoveler and Shelduck were also present as were a number of Brent Geese.  Quite close on the eastern bank not just a dozen or so Dunlin but a feeding Snipe.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago (left) with Dunlin Calidris alpina

Once at the sea wall I could look back on the nearer deeper water of Fishtail Lagoon and check the may Pintail and score of Brent Geese for the reported long-staying immature female Long-tailed Duck.  Eventually found, the bird looked so small and despite her constant diving I did manage to finally get a distant record shot before the bird disappeared.  More Cormorants were seen here as was a couple of foraging Mapie.

The distant immature female Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Moving towards Butts Lagoon a Curlew flew past eastwards and then many Coot noted on the water along with both Mute Swan, Shoveler and Mallard.  This water and the adjacent start of the Pennington Lagoon not only produced more Pintail but a good number of Tufted Duck and three more Snipe.  An Oystercatcher was feeding on the far bank and then it was time to turn inland and head back towards the car.

Male and female Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Stopping on the higher ground after leaving the lagoon, I first found a distant Kestrel resting atop a tall bush to me left and then, to the right, A similar sighted Carrion Crow.  The first of the large ponds on the right not only produced both Mallard and Teal abut also a quartet of Gadwall.   A Redshank dropped in and ere long I was back at the car. But before departing I took a walk down the lane towards Keyhaven to have a closer look at the large pond on the right where I found a number of Herring Gulls and a few Coot.  A Robin was watching me from a nearby hedge and as I looked over the water a Marsh Harrier drifted westwards above me, so bringing the morning's tally to 46 species.

A few of the many Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Lots of male Pintail Anas acuta to be seen today

Wigeon Anas penelope

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New forest Birding on Boxing Day

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Thursday 26 December

Probably best to describe the weather for my Boxing Day morning visit to Blashford Lakes in the New Forest as still, damp and cloudy.  Approaching the sight even a light mist which certainly restricted viewing when I arrived the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water at 9.40 as poor , if not difficult, nevermind think about using the camera.

Great Tit Parus major

Immediately obvious were the numerous Coot and Wigeon and looking closer through the gloom, using the scope, I was also able to pick out Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shoveler and Gadwall.  Just the one Great Crested Grebe but a dozen Mute Swan and even as many Canada Geese at the back of the water.  very few gulls to be seen but I eventually found a handful of immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  At the very back of the water I was fortunate enough to pick out the standing Grey Heron.  A handful of Cormorant were resting on the perching post on the left of the small island in front of the hide and, finally, I found a male Goldeneye.  Just a shame that the murky weather prevented taking a photograph.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Female Wigeon Anas penelope

Moving across to the car park on the main reserve I noted a Carrion Crow and then straight to the Woodland Hide where, with already six birders in attendance, I still managed to find a seat in front of the opening window.  Already a steady stream of visiting Blue and Great Tits along with a quartet of Dunnock and a Robin feeding below the feeder.  A couple of Blackbirds flew across the front and came to feed in front of me and then the fun started.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

First a Tree-creeper was seen climbing up the tree to my left and then the visit of a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and whilst on the feeder joined by a visiting Coal Tit.  Only a few visits by the Nuthatch and it seemed to have its head permanently inside the feeder, so just a shot of its backside!

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Eventually, a pair of Goldfinches arrive and quickly followed by a handful of Siskins.  There were already visiting Chaffinches but this morning no sign of a Greenfinch.

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus (above) and Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Moving on down to the Ivy South Hide a passed a dozen Mallard on the scrape to my right and once inside the hide, with the mist now beginning to clear, many more Wigeon and Gadwall plus eighteen resting Cormorant. A Heron flew across the water and towards the back I could see more Tufted Duck along with quite a few immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  But just the one Black-headed Gull.

Immature Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus with
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo behind

My final walk was to the Ivy North Hide where, again, I found very many Wigeon along with some Gadwall and Cormorants.  Nearer to the hide over a score of Teal were observed.  And as I drove away from the main reserve towards Ibsley itself a dozen Jackdaws in the trees to my right.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Male Teal Anas crecca

A drive through a very busy country lane to Eyeworth and as I passed through Fritham a half-dozen Starlings on the wires and then to Eyeworth Pond to park I was able to count 45 Mallard on the water.  Even here a packed car park but, both sitting in the car and standing at the door, I was able to watch the busy feeding activity of the many small birds, plus a pair of Moorhen, that visited the food put down by visitors.  Many Blue and Great Tits but also a half-dozen Marsh Tits.  Foraging on the ground Dunnock, Robin and House Sparrows accompanied by visiting Blackbirds, Chaffinches and a Nuthatch.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Great White Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Tree-creeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (female above, male below)

Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit

Backside of a Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus above and females below

Immature Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

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Weston Shore, Southampton

Wednesday 25 December

What a way to start Christmas day!  A short drive over to Weston Shore at the eastern top of Southampton Water as it meets the dock on a receding tide in calm weather with  hint of breaking sunshine and not too cold.  The hour spent checking the far water with the scope followed by a walk northerly walk along the shore from the car park and back finally produced 18 species in the hour before returning to start on the preparations for Christmas Dinner (but not counting the turkey as an extra species for the day!).

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus with immature Herring Gull Larus argentatus (above) and Carrion Crows Corvid 

corone

The morning stated with over 110 Carrion Crows plus almost as many Black-headed and a smaller number of Herring Gulls foraging along the shore.  Also found were the first of eight Oystercatchers and a quartet of Curlew.  A pair of Mute Swans added to the initial sightings.

Curlew Numenius aquata

Using both scopes we were able to check the far side of the water and near to Hythe pier we picked out the visiting Red-necked Grebe and not so far away a Great Northern Diver.  Also present a couple of Cormorants flying down river.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Moving northwards past us a small group of eight Brent Geese and, once landed, we also managed to find the perching, distant Great Black-backed Gull.  This area also produced a further two Curlew and more Oystercatchers nevermind the many Carrion Crows and (mainly) Black-headed Gulls. It was also interesting to find a total of seven Mallards on the shore.  A handful of Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) joined in the fun whilst atop a tree on the other side of the road in front of one of the tower blocks a resting female Kestrel.

Female Kestel Falco tinnunculus

Making our way back towards the car for the return journey home we came across a distant Woodpigeon, close Blackbird and finally a singing Robin in the bushes to make 18 species in the hour's visit.

Mute Swan Cignus olor

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Carrion Crow.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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Hamble River, Warsash

 Sunday 22 December

Wigeon Anas penelope

A dry, sunny start to the day so I took the opportunity of a quick walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back.  Mind you, by the time I was almost half-way the wind picked up and it became even colder! A lone Redshank as I approached the river quickly followed by a single Black-headed Gull.  Once past the ferry pier a Turnstone and more Redshanks and Black-headed Gulls.  A resting Grey Plover was well s[potted close to the water line and then the first flock of resting Wigeon.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Moving on up the river I found a few Teal and a single sleeping Greenshank.  There were now more Brent Geese to be seen albeit the total of just over fifty individuals were well separated from start to turning point.  On the exposed meadow mud flat many more Black-headed Gulls and 18 Shelduck. A group of a dozen Woodpigeon were feeding on the lawn of a large house to the rear.

Sleeping Greenshank Tringa nebularia

On the river side at the entrance to the bay leading to the inlet water supply, a few Brent Geese and a further pair of Oystercatchers accompanied by a handful of Dunlin.  Once at the conservation area another small flock of Wigeon and a pair of Herring Gulls with a Heron resting in the long grass to the rear.  A lone Carrion Crow was foraging on the bank.

Oysterctchers Haematopus ostralegus with Dunlins Calidris alpina

Making my way back to the start, a sleeping Curlew was found a the water's edge and then a single Blackbird on the path from river to road.

Sleeping Curlew Numenius arquata

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Heron, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Carrion Crow.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Teal Anas crecca

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