Warsash; Lower Hamble River

 Sunday 16 November

The rain may have passed but this morning we greeted a massive drop in temperature and most cold as I took an hour's walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back.  The tide was on its way out but Bunny Meadow sand its adjoining footpath still covered but the off shore islands starting to appear and more exposed, including the former, on the return journey.  All seemed quiet on the way out but certainly some exciting birds noticed o the lower river as I made my return and back home in an hour.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

The first sighting of the shore produced single Black-headed Gull and Redshank along with a quartet of Brent Geese.  However, by the time I reached the conservation area 120 Bren Geese had been recorded but only a further 19 Black-headed Gulls.  A Little Egret appeared as I made my onwards closely followed by a Greenshank on the meadow side of the path.  More Redshanks and then the first of a quartet of Curlew.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

On the inland side a small number and a flock of 20 Woodpigeons on the move before reaching the main islands where I started to count Brent Geese by the score and accompanied  by a couple of Oystercatchers and the main Dunlin flock, probably at least 120.  Feeding with the Dunlin about a score of Ringed Plover plus a resting Cormorant.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Over on the still flooded meadow six Shelduck and a handful of Wigeon. Approaching the conservation area the grassy banks at the back of the meadow held seven of the nine Grey Plovers recorded. Once at the conservation area not only more Brent Geese but the main Wigeon flock along with about a dozen Teal.  A single Jackdaw was resting at the edge of the bank and more Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons noted.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Making may way back with more mud now exposed on the shore side of the path, I came across the single Great Black-backed Gull noted on the way up along with three Great Crested Grebes on the water close to the shore. passing the final inlet a Spotted Redshank put in a brief appearance on the inland side and then a Rock Pipit made a rapid departure form its shore foraging. As the smaller bird departed eight Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) landed on the shore. And, finally, as I made my way back to the road a Magpie on a roof top to give a final tally of 25 species.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Rock Pipit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

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