Hook with Warsash Nature Reserve

Tuesday 2 September

By mid-morning the rain had cleared up so decided to take a walk along the Warsash and Solent shores and instead of returning the same way carried on to Chilling Head then up to Workmans Lane, across the horse fields to Hook Lane before continuing back to the top of Workmans Lane then along the main road back to the centre of Warsash and on down to home, a final round trip of 8km in less than three hours - and even managed to take shelter for five minutes when the late shower came on the final part of the walk.

Common Gull Larus canus with Redshank Tringa totanus

The tide was on its way out and straight away both Black-headed and Herring Gulls before stopping below Strawberry Fields to check the waders below where I found a good number of Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits along with both Oystercatcher and Turnstone.  Indeed, checking the gull next to one Redshank I managed to identify a Common Gull. Meanwhile, there was a group of House Sparrows in the nearby bush and both Woodpigeons and Carrion Crows on the field itself along with a distant Magpie.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Moving on towards the pier I found my first Little Egret and looking across to the distant Spit I could see a pair of resting Cormorant.  meanwhile, at the small pond a couple of Collared Doves and then, once past the pier, a chance to take a closer  look at the beach below.  Not just more Black-headed and Herring Gulls but also a number of both Black-tailed Godwits and the appearance of a dozen Ringed Plover.  Closer inspection also identified a single Knot.  

Knot Calidris canutus

Turning the corner to walk down to the Spit I became aware of the number of feeding Barn Swallows around me and, once at the Spit itself  more resting Black-headed Gulls.  Also present was a single Curlew.  On the Solent side of the Spit at least a score of resting Oystercatchers as the tide uncovered the shingle beach.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Continuing on down to the Scrape I found a raft of resting Avocet in the lee of the main island with a final count of 31 individuals.  Also on the water a trio of Shelduck, a few Mallard and more Black-tailed Godwit. A Moorhen was on the far water raft.

Mainly Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Rather than retrace my steps, I carried on to Chilling Head in the presence of more Barn Swallows then took the tarmac path up to Workmans Lane.  However, checking the cattle in the distant field on my left I notice a single white egret then stopped to take a closer look and found no less than five Cattle Egrets along with a couple of Yellow Wagtails.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Reaching the horse fields I came across the first Robins of the morning then walked to the far end before heading towards the stile and the path towards Hook Lane.  A large number of Starlings in both the field and atop the distant tree by the first house plus a dozen foraging Carrion Crows.  The final field produced a young Stonechat and then I noticed the pair of Goldfinches and a handful of Linnets feeding on the nearby thistles.  Working my way along Hook lane I came across a Dunnock on the path in front of me plus another couple of Robins before reaching the main road where the house on the opposite side of the road was playing host to at least eight Blue Tits in the large tree near the gate. From here it was simply a question of following the road back to the village centre then on down to home.

Juvenile Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Turnstone with Black-head Gull Larus ridibundus and Black-tailed Godwit

Redshank Tringa totanus with Black-tailed Godwit

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Juvenile Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

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