Lower Hamble River, Warsash

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Sunday 30 November

Starting this morning I should be wearing a slim during the day for the next week but the sun was shining brightly, no wind and the tide at a perfect setting for a walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back.  Surely the sling-wearing could wait for a couple of hours?

There may not have been many birds about, excluding the 300 plus Dunlin, 120 Wigeon and 100 Brent Geese but still an opportunity to try out the new Canon EOS7 with the RF 100-400 lens. Not too bad for a first use with the camera catching the eye but distant shots still a little soft so time to download the User Manual and discover where I am going wrong.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Nothing on the first beach but once past the ferry landing stage birds began to appear with the first Brent Geese, Redshank and a Black-headed Gull. Foraging along the seaweed line below me a Rock Pipit and then the first 150 Dunlin. Just a handful of Wigeon at this stage along with the only Little Egret seen during the visit.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

On the meadow side of the path a Greenshank and seven departing Starling.  Moving further on more dunlin and Brent Geese plus Redshanks and a couple of Curlew.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

A resting flock of ten Grey Plover was a delight to see plus a few other individual nearby.  A Cormorant was resting as a second flew over form the meadow. Continuing on up the path a few Teal to my left a quartet of Carrion Crow on the flat, now exposed, meadow.  Also on this area a dozen Black-tailed Godwit and fourteen Shelduck.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Nearing the conservation area I cam across a handful of Ringed Plover on the now distant river edge followed by a further fourteen resting on the bank above.  Meanwhile, on the inland side of the path a couple of Heron in the far, grassy edge plus two Oystercatchers.  Once at the conservation area a few more Teal and Redshank but mainly the hundred or more Wigeon along with a few more Black-headed Gulls.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Making my way back downstream I finally found a handful or so Herring Gulls along with a dozen Jackdaw and a pair of Woodpigeon.  Only 23 species but at least making the most of what will probably be the only sunny day for the coming week and then both Magpie and Dunnock in the garden as I reached home.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Rock Pipit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Wigeon Anas penelope

Wigeon Anas penelope in flight

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