Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

 Saturday 14 June

Lovely sunshine and mainly clear blue skies along with a strong wind for my mid-morning visit to Fishlake Meadows, Romsey. All the usual small birds including a family of Garden Warblers and most of the singing being done by the Cetti's Warblers and Chiffchaffs ably supported by Wren, Robin and Blackbird.

Walking along the canal path I also recorded both House Martin and House Sparrow with many Woodpigeon, a Carrion Crow and a quartet of Magpies. A Collared Dove put in an appearance on the houses on the other side of the canal but just a couple of Sedge Warblers.

Using the scope I was able to pick out some of the Greylag Geese and a number of Mutes Swans but it was a visit to the roadside viewing point that produced most of the Mute Swans and Greylag Geese along with a single Egyptian Goose and just a pair of both Gadwall and Tufted Duck to accompany the few Mallards along with a handful of Great Crested Grebes. But over 70 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Calling in at Romsey Abbey on the way home in time to see the female Peregrine Falcon sitting atop the flag pole but as I lifted the camera she was off to chase an approaching gull - so a flight shot instead! Action certainly needed as the four young falcons should be fledging within the next four or five days.

Departing female Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Just as well as too much leaf coverage and tall vegetation to get any decent shots of the smaller birds.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow.

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.