Titchfield Canal

Sunday 5 April

Lovely sunny start to the day albeit somewhat on the cold side as I drove over to nearby Titchfield Canal.  The car park already full before 9.30 so carried on less then a mile towards Stubbington to check if the visiting Ruddy Shelduck was about.  It was not but, as well as a handful of Woodpigeon, there was also a pair of juvenile Egyptian Geese on show.  On the other side of the road at lest half a dozen foraging Rooks.  Back to the canal car park and room for me to start my birding at 9.35.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (left) with Robin Erithacus rubecula

Still sunny but feeling cold as I set off towards the canal path and neighbouring spinney at the back of the adjacent pumping station. Here I found both Blue and Great Tit along with a Jay and Magpie and the first of the many Chiffchaffs recorded in the following two hours. back on the canal path a nearby, noisy Green woodpecker along with Jackdaw and a Blackbird and time to check out Bridge Street Flood.  Whilst the Cetti's Warblers were in full voice behind me I recorded many Mallard, along with Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler and Shelduck.  Also on the water a small number of Canada Geese with five Cormorants at the far, southern, end of the water.  In addition at least 18 Black-tailed Godwits. But, what a surprise when I saw the Ruddy Shelduck wander into view at the extreme end.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Continuing on down the path to the hard-surfaced avenue I added Wren and Robin and, once opposite the Posbrook Flood a small number of Coot plus a couple of Little Egret, more Shoveler, Mallard and Shelduck.  Even a lone Mute Swan. Just the three Herring Gulls and then the site of both Red Kite and a male Marsh Harrier in quick order overhead.  Meanwhile, over the flood at least 40 feeding Sand Martins low over the water.

Record shot of male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Near the far end of the avenue I added both Long-tailed Tit and a Goldcrest with a Stock Dove alighting on a tall tree on the other side of the canal.  Checking out the exposed water at the back of the tall grass between the two floods I found a pair of Greylag along with a couple of Canada Geese.  back at Bridge Street Flood a Great Black-backed Gull had appeared.  So, 11.45 and time to return home having recorded a marvellous 39 species.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow.

Magpie Pica pica

Distant shot of the Stock Dove Columba oenas

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