Titchfield Haven and Canal

Thursday 14 August

Just after 9 I was at the Solent shore in Hill Head (Titchfield Haven) with at least six hours before full tide.  A few Herring and Black-headed Gulls on the wide and empty shore along with a few Oystercatchers and two Sandwich Terns, the latter departing almost immediately.  However, still a trio of Common Terns on the shore.  Looking at the shore in front of the mouth of the River Meon I also added both a Little Egret and a dozen Redshank. A couple of Carrion Crows were also noted.

Juvenile Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Making my way to the viewing point overlooking the Haven's lagoon I soon added a resting Cormorant and lapwing plus a number of Mallards and a single Gadwall.  A Heron moved across from the edges to the island and so revealed the Little Grebe.  At the far end of the water a single Moorhen and looking across to the reserve's hide I saw a short flight of six Canada Geese.  However, pride of place to the male Goosander in eclipse plumage.  In the harbour itself two score Mallard plus many Coots and a pair of Mute Swans.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Leaving the area at 10 I drove back to take a walk along Titchfield canal. Arriving at 10.15 it was still breezy but bright sunshine and very warm.  I did not expect to find the site without water with just dry, grassy areas where normally both Bridge Street and Posbrook Floods would have been filled with water and abundant water birds. Greenfinch, Woodpigeon and Magpie as I set off down the path but very little to be seen.  Reaching the avenue and looking over what had previously been Posbrook Flood, a large mix of mainly House Martins accompanied by both Barn Swallows and Sand Martins feeding low over the grass.

At the far end of the avenue as I started back I quickly recorded Wren, Robin and Nuthatch and then stopped to watch the feeding frenzy of a dozen Long-tailed Tits.  Both Blue Tit and Jackdaw were added to give a very disappointing twelve species but a total of 31 for the morning in very short time.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Goosander, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch.

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