Hamble River, Warsash

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Saturday 4 April

family arriving a 11.30 so a quick walk across the road to the Hamble River and up to the first muddy island at low tide to see if the visiting American Golden Plover was still about and, hopefully, nearer and in better lighting conditions.  It was and much appreiated I am sure by the other eleven birders I met on the way, at the same viewing or as returning home fifty minutes later.

Approaching the ferry pier a couple of Oystercatchers plus 18 Black-tailed Godwits and 19 Brent Geese at the water's edge. No shortage of Black-headed Gulls and as I moved onwards both a Little Egret, a handful of Redshank and a pair of Shelduck.  Off away to to my right at the back of the meadow a quartet of Canada Geese.  Then on site to find the American Golden Plover walking around at the near edge of the mudbank in good light if a little distant.  Very easy to find most, if not all, of the necessary identification features, especially the elongated supercillium.  Wonderful.

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Leaving the other quintet of birders behind I carried on up to the conservation passing a pair of resting Mute Swans as a lone Cormorant flew upriver.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Reaching the conservation area with a few resting Black-headed Gulls I found a pair of sleeping Teal but the last of the Wigeons seemed to have moved on.  However, at the back of the water the pair of Mandarin Ducks seen earlier in the week were now wide awake in front of me.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Having found a Black-tailed Godwit at the back of the water I then discovered a lone Curlew but not before enjoying the sight of a Spotted Redshank on the left-hand side of the water with its moult almost completed and looking almost black and signs of the spots beginning to appear.  So not just the American Golden Plover to bring a smile to the face!

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

I thought my birding was complete but as I made my way back to the viewing for a second look at the American Golden Plover, a Great Crested Grebe fishing on the water, the Mute Swans making ready to depart and then a single Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Even a Pied Wagtail on the shore.  To complete the observations I managed to find one of the Grey Plovers whilst observing the visiting plover and a single Turnstone flew past before coming to rest near the ferry terminal.  A great morning and all completed in 50 minutes giving time to change before guests arrived.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (centre left)

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, American Grey Plover, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

American Golden Plover Americano Pluvialis dominica

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Teal Anas crecca

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