Titchfield Haven Shore

Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Tuesday 20 May 

Still dry but more could this morning albeit the Sun was out by mid-morning and warming up nicely.  Meanwhile, I was up and away and at the shore below Titchfield Haven to see if the recently arrived Hudsonian Godwit was still about.  It was not.  Evidently the bird roosts elsewhere, probably further up the river and nearer to to Titchfield Canal, and returns to feed with the Black-tailed Godwit flock.  Unfortunately, I only had an hour to spare so back home, but hope to return tomorrow morning albeit rain forecast so the bird may be gone by then.  We shall see.

Meanwhile, lots to be seen, especially on the lagoon and adjacent harbour itself.  In the harbour no less than 19 Mute Swans with all but three asleep on the beach as the tide made its way out along with scores of sleeping Mallards and a single Back Swan.  But before I departed at 8.45 the sun was up, warmer and more beach with most of the swans either on their feet or back in the water.  Resting on a far fence five Oystercatchers.

Sleeping Black Swan C.atratus with Mute Swans C.olor and Mallards Anas platyrhynchos

Over at the lagoon seen from the viewing area an island full of nesting Black-headed Gulls and on the water itself a couple of Shoveler, quartet of Tufted Duck, eight Gadwall and a few Mallards.  The gulls were accompanied by a single Common Tern and also peent 18 Coot. A lone Great Crested Grebe drifted by.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Beyond the Reserve fence I could make out at least six Canada Geese and a similar number of Shelduck.  A few Woodpigeons flying around along with a Magpie and single Starling.  Reed Warblers below in the reeds and a Wren in the bushes to my right along with a couple of House Sparrows.

Making my way home the ride was now far enough out to attract a Herring Gull, Little Egret and Carrion Crow to the beach.  And no sooner off the beach and making my way back towards Titchfield than a couple of Blackbirds with the resident Jackdaws at Posbrook.

Male Shoveler Anas clypeata

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Wren, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow. 

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