Titchfield Haven Shore and Canal

Sunday 22 March

Lovey sunny start to the day and reasonably warm and little breeze as I headed off to the shore at Titchfield Haven for an hour before returning to Titchfield Canal.  Upon arrival lots of Black-headed Gulls on the lake from the observation platform along with six Mute Swans and a similar number of Gadwall.  To the far left bot h a Redshank and a Shoveler whilst, from the road bridge, I found a single Great Crested Grebe with its recently caught morning breakfast. beyond the fence in the reserve proper a good number of Avocets along with both Teal and Wigeon then the Shovelers close to a resting group of Oystercatchers  handful of Canada Geese.  In the neighbouring bushes Dunnock, Blackbird and Robin.

Drake Gadwall Anas strepera

Next on to the harbour where, apart from a few Mallards, there was a collection of over 80 Turnstones, most resting in he shade of a stranded yacht on the mud.

A few of the Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Continuing on to the shore proper with the tide well out, a massed huddle of Sanderling resting at the water's edge and totalling just about an hundred.  A little further out a lone drake mallard and well out on the Solent a singe Common Scoter.  Returning to the car I checked the lake once more and noted 8 Shoveler along with both Coot and Lapwing.

The huddled mas of resting Sanderling Calidris alba

So back to Titchfield Canal by 10.20 where finding a parking place was proving most difficult with so many visitors, all seemingly on a dog walk.  Having succeeded, I first took a walk upstream past the stables and found all the usuals including Woodpigeon, Magpie and Carrion Crow along with a handful of Mallards and both Blue and Great Tits.  But sign of the Glossy Ibis.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collubita

Collecting the scope from the car I then proceeded down the canal path to the trees at Posbrook Food before returning.  No sooner under way than both Blackbird and Robin plus the first pf many Chiffchaffs to be seen and heard.  A Nuthatch visited the tall tree behind the pumping station and a small flock of Jackdaws flew over.  Once at the Barn Owl field a pair of Stock Doves at the Barn Owl nesting site. next a passing Buzzard alighted in the trees behind me and, after recording the nearby Wren, checked Bridge Street Flood where I noted many Wigeon, Gadwall, Canada Geese and Teal before finding a handful of Shelduck.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Continuing on down to the bridge and avenue I also added Lapwing and the first of four Herons to be seen during the visit. Also lovely to hear the calls once again of at least four Cetti's Warblers. A pair of Herring Gulls in the field to my left and then, once at Posbrook Floods a single Mute Swan and many Shoveler plus Wigeon and Teal.  More than a handful of Coot present along with a single pair of Tufted Duck and two Little Egrets.  Then, just by chance, fortunate to see the single Glossy Ibis in a gap in the tall grass in front of the water before it disappeared from sight.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Making my way back to the car park, first a Kestrel flying past as I left the avenue and hen stopped to watch a Red Kite being harried by a Herring Gull before it was joined by a second Red Kite and the pair circling above my head.  Off to the far right beyond the water a very continuous calling Green Woodpecker which was then answered from a second individual behind in the trees close to the barn Owl field. Then, with the last sighting being that of a Dunnock I was back at the car at exactly 12 noon.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

An enjoyable morning's birding which resulted in 43 species being recorded.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Eider, Common Scoter, Great Crested Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Sanderling, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus - Well, that's breakfast taken car of!

Gadwall Anas strepera

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Herring Gull takes on Red Kite Milvus milvus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

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