Weston Shore, Southampton

Tuesday 21 April 

Bright and sunny but quite cold as I spent about an hour at Weston Shore which is at the top of Southampton Water as you approach the port.  No sign of a Whimbrel this morning but, as expected, scores of foraging Carrion Crows and Herring Gulls along with a single Great Black-backed Gull and Little Egret plus  handful of Rock Doves.  Also present five resting Mute Swans and a similar number of Great Crested Grebes on the water.  As I departed a couple of Starling flew past.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata 

Moving a mile south to Netley at the entrance to Victoria Park I picked up the Black-headed Gulls then walked across the road to check Sophie's Pond.  here I found a number of Mallard plus a male Mandarin Duck acting as foster father/guardian to a Mallard with seven ducklings, keeping all the other ducks and gulls well away from the youngsters.  

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata with Mallard ducklings

Also on the pond a single Mute Swan and Moorhen with a Woodpigeon watching the proceedings.

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Mallard, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling.

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.