Workmans Lane, Warsash and Sole shore

Friday 8 August

Another warm, sunny day but with a good breeze as friend Richard Osman and I drove up to the top of Workmans Lane in Warsash and proceeded to walk down to the Solent shore with, first, a diversion to access the horse field.  Having arrived at the shore, it was a straight walk right back to Warsash village and home for a break before Richard drove me back to Workmans Lane to collect the car.  A most enjoyable, if somewhat tiring, afternoon covering almost five miles in a leisurely three plus hours.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Midway down the lane we came across feeding Blue and Long-tailed Tits in the trees in front and then the first Woodpigeon as we approached the horse field entrance on the left.  Resting on the style a Robin.   Just inside the gate and a Magpie flew past and stopping to check the feeding horse we found at least seven Pied Wagtails.  Continuing along the track to the left-hand turn we found many Linnets and also at least eight Goldfinches including a couple of juveniles. A small flock of Starlings feeding on the blackberries near the donkey paddock and at this site also a trio of Stonechats along with the Linnets. Off to the left a solitary Rook and a handful of Carrion Crows in the field to our right.  A Dunnock took off from the bush immediately in front of us.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Taking the path off to the left we came across not only more Linnets but a pair of Wheatear.  On the field to our right in front of the small lake the adult Egyptian Geese with their nine well-grown goslings.  Above us a dozen or more feeding Barn Swallows and then the appearance of a male Sparrowhawk being aggressively challenged by a few barn swallows and Linnets before it came to rest in a dense bust in front of us.  Way at the back of the field to our right, almost adjacent to Workmans Lane, a Green Woodpecker was "yaffling."

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Moving and returning to the main track leading back towards Workmans Lane we watched a pair of Stock Doves take to the air and move away from us.  The Starlings were still feeding on the blackberries and a lone Herring Gull passed overhead. However, stopping once more to check the horses, in addition to the Pied Wagtails we managed to find a single Yellow Wagtail.  As well as feeding alongside a horse, the bird joined us on the track to drink from a large puddle.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

Back on the lane we continued on down to the Solent shore on Southampton water.  With the tide now on its way out exposing some lovely fresh mud, over 170 Oystercatchers and almost as many Black-headed Gulls.  Just a few Herring and off to the left a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls.  

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus (top)

Taking the coastal path towards Warsash we noted the half-dozen resting Mallard alongside the small lake at the end of the track down to the shore and in the tree on the opposite side a resting Greenfinch.  Then, with the wind doing its best to take off my hat we headed towards Chilling Head with many Barn Swallows feeding overhead.  Again, more Oystercatchers and Black-headed Gulls on the shore as we made our way north.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Reaching the gorse habitat between Meandering Pool and the Scrape more Barn Swallows along with a hunting female Kestrel overhead.  A few Linnets and a trio of Stonechat as we passed through the gorse area and once on the other side a Skylark above us and a pair of Meadow Pipits on the grass in front. But we also saw a air of Roe Deer at the back of the site.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

The Scrape itself produced 50 Avocets along with a Moorhen and a few more Black-headed Gulls. A lone Common Tern put in an appearance and then it was on towards the Spit where we found more gulls, especially Herring, and a single Yellow-legged Gull. On the far end of the Spit a pair of resting Cormorant. Continuing on back to Warsash the shore near the Navigation Pier produced a number of Black-tiled Godwits and a few Redshank.  A lovely afternoon's walk in Richard's pleasant company and resulting in a final tally of 36 species.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Birds seen: 

Mallard, Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

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