Hamble River, Warsash

Monday 9 February

A lovely sunny morning and only a slight, cold breeze so a quick walk up to the conservation area and back whilst the tide was ell out.  Not so many species about but a good occasion to try out the new settings on the camera.  Approaching the ferry pier a dozen Brent Geese along with three resting Mute Swans.  Just beyond the first of many Black-headed Gulls and a Curlew.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Making my way upriver more Brent Geese and then the first small flock of Wigeon accompanied by feeding Dunlin, Redshank and a couple of Grey Plover.  Lovely to find a Greenshank also feeding in a shallow bay.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

The larger temporary island off to the left held more Curlew, a Grey Plover and a couple of Shelduck.  Behind the Grey Plover a resting Lesser Black-backed Gull.  On the muddy meadow a couple of Carrion Crow and in the inlet the first of two Little Grebes to be seen.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Arriving at the conservation after seeing more Brent Geese at the water's edges the main Wigeon flock along with eight Teal.  Making my way back I came across two Little Egrets before finding a Cormorant near the ferry pier.  A quartet of Starlings passed over and in the tall trees eight Woodpigeon and a Blackbird. Final bird of the morning a Robin as I approached the exit path.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Grey Plover Pluvialis sqatarola

Curlew Numenius arquata between Wigeon Anas penelope

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Dunlin flock

Teal Anas crecca

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