Farlington Marshes and Titchfield Meon Shore

Sunday 14 December 

A lovely clear start to the day, somewhat on the cold side but the sun trying its best to increase the warmth.  Farlington Marshes for a two hour clockwise tour of the site and on the way back to Warsash a chance to call in at two further sites for a short stay.  Arriving just before 9 o'clock few birds to be seen as the tide was only just on the turn and very little of the estuary uncovered.  Both Woodpigeons and Carrion Crows in the trees as I made my way to the sea wall and then the sight of very many Brent Geese along with Black-headed Gulls and a small gathering of Oystercatcher, Redshank and a couple of Curlew exploring the recently revealed mud.

A small group of Pintail noted as I made my way down the viewing point where I found scores of Shelduck along with a similar number of teal and many Coot.  A handful of Mallard and a few Cormorant and beyond the far fence the sight of many Canada Geese grazing in the field.

Continuing on around the sea wall I first came across the handful of Mallard followed by both a Cormorant and Magpie along with a Little Egret and many more Brent Geese plus Redshanks and Oystercatchers on the shore.  On the land side of the wall so many Canada Geese but no sight, on this occasion, of the single Barnacle Goose that has been hanging out with its cousins.  But, a little beyond the Canada Geese a trio of cock Pheasants.

Reaching the Deeps many Wigeon plus more Shelduck and a dozen or so Shoveler plus a few Mallard.  On the field beyond a number of Lapwing whilst, flying upstream on the channel between here and Hayling Island, a hundred plus Dunlin.  Also on the shore line more Oystercatchers and Curlews and a single Whimbrel flying out towards the water and beyond.  A couple of Rock Pipits foraging amongst the seaweed and then, as I approached the old barn, the first Moorhen of the morning.  Once at the pool in front of the barn, a number of Teal, Mallard and Moorhens behind the barn but noting on the water.  However, scores of Coots on the grass to the side and another cock Pheasant resting in a small paddock.   Finally, two Pied Wagtails and then a male Blackbird as I made my way back to the car.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Thirty minutes later I was parked up in the mudy Chilling Woods on Meon Road and walking to Brownwich Pond where, eventually, I did find the recently arrived Ferruginous Duck, albeit right at the back of the pond against a wire fence and difficult to photograph other than showing what looked like a whit spot on the end of a dark "blob."  But, out on the water, a pair of Mute Swans, eight Tufted Duck, a couple of Coot and a handful of Mallard.  But right in front of me at the outlet when I arrived a pair of Grey Wagtails but, unfortunately, they were taking off before I could lift the camera. making my way back to the lane for the walk to the car a pair of Pied Wagtails on the muck heap.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Having come so close the the sea at Hill Head, I decided to make the short journey to the Meon Estuary at Titchfield Haven to check the beach, with the tide now well out.  Right in front of me a score of Sanderling along with half-dozen Gadwall on the water itself.  Nearby a few Brent Geese but the main flock along with hundreds of gulls, including the nearby Herring Gulls, was further away and I did not bother to take out the scope as I had found the small waders I hoped to see, but also a handful of Turnstone and Oystercatchers.  As expected, both Lapwing and Cormorant on the island in the lagoon on the inland side of the road.  So ended a most enjoyable morning with a finally tally of 38 species.

Sanderling Calidris alba

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, 

Sanderling Calidris alba

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus with sanderling

Gadwall Anas strepera

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