Hayling Island and Farlington Marshes

Sunday 8 February  

What could only be described as a cloudy, dull and miserable day, albeit dry and and calm, as I arrived at the Hayling Island Reserve based on the old "Billy Line" and Oysterbeds just after 9.30.  Again, not helped by the fact that a sea mist had crept in very much restricting visibility out on the water until it started to lift about an hour later.  Notwithstanding, Robin, Dunnock and Carrion Crows as I made my way to the old Billy Line and the signal to check both the inland estuary and the open water.  In the harbour a couple of Brent Geese along with a handful of Redshank and a score or more Dunlin.  Both Black-headed and Herring Gulls were also noted.  On the nearby open water beach a lone Curlew plus both Grey Plover and Oystercatcher.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Moving on down to the path to the former oysterbeds I picked up more Redshanks, Curlews and Grey Plovers plus a couple of Turnstone.  A pair of Mute Swans were noted out on the open water and then both Blackbird and Goldfinches in the bushes adjacent to the path.  A pair of Mallards were recorded as was the Shelduck and a quartet of Shoveler.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Passing the main inland pool with its mid-water bank there were hundreds of Black-headed Gulls staking out their nesting territory and amongst them four Mediterranean Gulls.  The majority of he latter's breeding birds appear not to have arrived yet.  Behind me I found both Woodpigeon and Magpie plus a couple of Blue Tits.

Then on to the path leading out to the main water's edge where time with the scope, and especially when joined by three fellow birders, we eventually found not only the visiting Red-necked Grebe but also a single Great Northern Diver.  I had already found a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and four more were to be discovered along with another couple of Goldeneye to add to that already seen by myself.  To complete the picture, also a couple of Great Crested Grebes.  The muddy bed of the now empty pool held at least ninety Brent Geese and a few Curlew and Redshank.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla grazing at the Deeps

Making my way back to the car park along the former railway track I came across more Blue and a couple Great Tits plus another Blackbird and a Greenfinch. A single Coot was on the inland pool and from the car park itself I noted the handful of Wigeon on the opposite side of the harbour.

Departing Hayling Island I made a stop at Farlington Marshes, arriving just before noon, so that I could take a clockwise circuit of the reserve.  Lots of Coot, a few Oystercatchers and a couple of Mallard in the lagoon near the old barn the onwards noting the hundreds of Brent and Canada Geese.  A little Egret was seen at the other side of the field on my left and on my right a half-dozen Pied Wagtails feeding near the Brent Geese.

Blackbird, Herring Gull and Carrion Crow were noted as I made my way up to the sea wall and then it seemed to be a continuous stretch of feeding Dunlin until the path turned right at the far end, well beyond the Deeps, here must have been thousands.  Not only Dunlin but also a few Curlew, a Turnstone, more Oystercatchers and even a handful of Grey Plover.  Out on the water a Great Crested Grebe and a single, female Pintail.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

At the Deeps itself  good number of Shoveler plus a score of Teal, many Wigeon and, of course, many more Brent and Canada Geese.  On the edges the first couple of the seven Moorhen I was to see between here and the viewing point on the western side of the reserve.  At this point a flock of well in excess of 100 Starlings flew over and into the area.

Pintail Anas accuta

Reaching the viewing point on the western track leading back to the car park at least 50 Pintail on the open water with the tide almost right in plus a small number of Teal.  From the viewing point I noted the Wigeon and large resting flock of Lapwing and scores of Shelduck resting in the field beyond the lake.  Just the one resting Heron behind the Lapwings and then the arrival of a cock Pheasant, appearing to be collecting dropped feathers and down so, presumably, nest building in the area. At last, finally, I came across a trio of Woodpigeon to take the sites total of species up to 31, the same as that at Hayling Island.

Cock Pheasant  with Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Great Northern Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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