Warsash and Solent Shores

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Sunday 17 August

A beautiful sunny start to the day so, with Derek and Barbara Etherton a walk down to the harbour and along Warsash shore to the Solent before continuing on the Scrape and returning back home to prepare for lunch. At the edge of the slipway a Black-headed Gull and a trio of Turnstone.  On top of the pile of Lobster pots over a score of House Sparrows and no sooner had we started to make our way up the narrow path to Strawberry Fields than we were overtaken by the first dozen runners taking part in Southampton's marathon.  By the time we reached the shore we had been passed by well over a hundred competitors; great fun for them but not the best place to be for birding!

On the mudflats below the path numerous Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls plus many Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits and a few more Turnstone.  A couple of Carrion Crows were also foraging and then we found our first Curlew of the morning. Around us a a trio of singing Robins and a passing Woodpigeon whilst on the shore we then found a trio of Little Egret plus the first of the Oystercatchers.

More waders on the shore beyond the navigation pier including a second Curlew and a sleeping Greenshank.  A pair of Heron were moving around the site and on the far Spit we could see a couple of resting Cormorants. Nothing on the pool behind us until we found the Collared Dove pair on the ground and above the handful of Barn Swallows.  Arriving at the Spit more Black-headed Gulls and very many Oystercatchers on the far side.  But very interesting to see a pair of Greylag Geese fly over heading south towards the Solent.

Sleeping Greenshank Tringa nebularia

At this point Barbara started her return journey as her recent hip operation would prevent her walking over the pebbles and Derek and I took a quick walk to the Scrape so that I could show him what else would be on offer for a future visit. A Pied Wagtail was on the path ahead of us and, later, we were to find three more of its family.

Arriving at the Spit we immediately recorded Avocet and mallard plus many more Black-headed Gulls and a small number of resting Canada Geese towards the back.  At least four Common Tern and on the island to our left a resting Shelduck.  However, behind the island in the corner to our right not only an Avocet family but feeding in the water behind a Glossy Ibis.  Almost certainly one of the trio that had moved on from Bridge Street Floods area in nearby Titchfield as the water there had completely disappeared.  And feeding next to the Glossy Ibis, apart from the Avocets, a pair of Shoveler.  To add to the fun, a Sparrowhawk appeared from low behind us and was immediately mobbed by the Common Tern and forced away where it came down on the tall grass away to the left.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta with Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Tome to make a hasty return home to try and catch up Barbara but not before we were able to find first a Chiffchaff and then a pair of Dunlin at the water's edge near the navigation pier.  Most enjoyable, as was the lovely roast lunch at our local "Rising Sun" opposite the harbour car park!

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus with feeding Shoveler Anas clypeata

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Goldfinch

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