Workmans Lane, Warsash

 Thursday 13 March

Just after 10.30 and parked up at the top of Workmans Lane for the walk down to the coast of Southampton Water and back plus a side trip along the bottom of the horse field on the outward journey.  Robins as soon as I got out of the car and then the first of many Carrion Crows before making my way down to the entrance to the horse field.  However, the temporary pond on the field to my right held a dozen Curlew, some grazing and others settled at the edge of the water.

Curlew Numenuius arquata

No sooner had I entered the field than I saw the first of the seven Magpies seen during the walk along with the first Blackbird.  Nothing else until approaching the donkey paddock when a pair of Egyptian Geese took of from the side of the track and flew to the top of the field.  Continuing on I came across a trio of Pied Wagtails and a similar number of Starling feeding and washing in with the paddock containing the horses at the very top of the track.  At the back of the paddock adjacent to the large pond a group of ten Canada Geese.

Back to Workmans Lane and taking the path down to Chilling Head a pair of Long-tailed plus another couple of Great Tits.  Once at the end and able to check the water, with the tide now fully in, and just the single Eider mid-water.

Eider Somateria mollissima

Continuing on southwards along the coastal path I then took the narrow path back up to Workmans Lane and the car.  A couple of Greenfinches and in the field where I had seen the Curlew there were now five grazing Roe Deer.  Some warming sunshine but, basically, still very cold.

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Eider Duck, Curlew, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch.

Curlew Numenuius arquata

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