Hayling Island and Titchfield Haven

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Thursday 3 September

Cloudy but dry to start with sun breaking through and additional warmth by mid-morning.  First a visit to the "Billy Line" at Hayling Island where the tide was full out and fewer birds than expected on show.  In the top harbour from the car park a couple of Curlew plus both Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits along with a score of Black-headed Gulls.  Just the single Little Egret hiding away at the outer corner.

As I moved down to the line trail itself almost a score of Barn Swallows feeding low overhead and then the appearance of a at least a score of feeding Starlings.  Very few Black-headed Gulls working the oyster beds but many, many more out on the main shore beyond.  However, the second bed did produce another, double-ringed, Curlew.

Curlew Numenius arquata

From the main track before turning in towards the oyster beds I managed to find a trio of Whitethroats in the bushes along with a pair of Linnets and a couple of Goldfinches and a Dunnock on the path itself.

From beyond the bed on the shore two tightly packed groups of Sandwich Terns, maybe a total of forty individuals. A single Herring Gull flew overhead followed by a lone Great Back-backed Gull, both of which were picked up on the return walk resting in the first oyster bed.

The flock of Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

Reaching the end of the walk a Cormorant flying in from the sea and on the mudflats many feeding Oystercatchers.  Also on the mud and near the water's edge another seven Little Egrets.  Then it was back along the old railway line to the car park and noting both four Carrion Crows and a trio of Magpies on the way.

Time to move on with a thirty minutes drive via Fareham to Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve.  From the outside I came across many Mallards a lone Mute Swan and a dozen Turnstones in the Meon harbour whilst on the Solent shore more Turnstones along with a number of both Redshank and Ringed Plovers.  In addition to more Black-headed there were also a number of Herring and at least three Great Black-backed Gulls.

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Next it was the walk to the Meon Hide inside the reserve where the whole water seemed to have been overtaken by 200 Canada Geese.  Still plenty of resting Black-headed Gulls and five fishing Common Tern.  Also to be seen very many Teal and Mallard and, hidden amongst the geese, a lone Greylag Goose and a number of Lapwing.  Off to the right a dozen feeding Black-tailed Godwits plus the occasional Coot and maybe a dozen Moorhen.

A few of the hundreds of Canada Geese Branta canadensis

Looking beyond the reeds to my left a quintet of moving Little Egrets and a small number of Starlings foraging on the islands between the Canada Geese.  Before leaving to make my way back to Warsash a Cormorant flew over the water and both distant Carrion Crows and a Woodpigeon were seen, making a final morning's tally of 30 species.

Lapwings Vanellus vanellus amongst the Canada Geese Branta canadensis

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Redshanks Tringa totanus resting between Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 2 September

May only have been 22 species for the opening visit of the new season for the Arboleas Birding Group but, my word, it included some very special species including Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike and Black-eared Wheatear amongst others.  So, all looks very positive for the coming months and, all being well, Dave himself will soon be back to fully fit and well-recovered.  Looking forward to reading about the coming exploits.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 2nd September

Before I do the bird report I'll give you an update on my mobility.  Short precis...started having pain in left knee. After 10 days went to the GP. X-Ray.  He concluded I had a bone spur between the joint.  Put me on tramadol/paracetamol and anti inflammatory meds.  Sent report to the Traumatology dept.  Went back for results a week later.  Seen by locum.  Traumatolgy didn't want to see me.  Do be dealt with by medication and physiotherapy.  Still in pain.  Given stronger painkillers.  After 4 more days of increasing pain went to A&E. Doctor checked X-ray.  Said I had ripped my meniscus and ligaments.  New tablets. Got Physio appointment. Assessed.  I have damaged my right hand tendon.  Got scan in a couple of weeks.  Walking much better with heavy duty knee brace!

I met Trevor at the Overa hotel and he drove me up towards the Sierra de Maria.  Birds were very few and far between.  First bird was a House Sparrow in the town.  Arriving at La Piza I attempted to refill the bird feeders with peanuts....Not having Nigel's fancy funnel I lost half a bag onto the ground but managed to half fill one of them.  The 6 or so Jays were having a field day picking the nuts up off the ground!  Next to arrive was a Nuthatch!  As we sat drinking luke warm coffee/tea we added Great and Blue Tit.  We were joined by Steve and Caroline.  I'd say it was the dream team only because I'd only had one hours sleep!

Nuthatch (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We commenced the loop.  The only bird I caught a glimpse of was a Woodchat Shrike.  Behind us Steve and Carolyn had added Kestrel and Carrion Crow.  At the village we only saw Goldfinches.  Carrying on we spotted flocks of Woodpigeon and the odd Crested Lark.  I was elated to find two perched Bee -eaters on a shrub.  At the cliff face we added some Barn Swallow.  Trevor spotted a Black Wheatear. I stayed with the vehicles as the others ventured to the far side.  I heard a Red-legged Partridge.  Nothing else was added to the list.

Bee-eaters (PHOT): David Elliott-Binns)

Moving on we had a fleeting sighting of a Black-eared Wheatear and a Hoopoe.  At the cave village we added Collared Dove.  The hamlet produced a second Kestrel, seen by Carolyn.  Stopping at the trough we saw three Turtle Doves.  Heading back to La Piza, a Griffon Vulture flew over our car, only seen by Steve and Carolyn who were behind us.  They headed home as Trevor and I had lunch.  We added Chaffinch to the list.

Turtle Dove (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

"Only" 22 species seen, but some good birds in there.  It was a cool 22c when we arrived and rose to 31c later on.  A great day birding to start our autumn series off.

Best wishes sent to Peter (1), Les and Carol

Please find below an email I received from Jennifer Dickinson.  What an amazing donation.  I'm organising a plaque to be put up next to Adrian's in the Botanical Garden for Bill Dickinson, Juda Hudson and Richard Hirons. 

Regards,

Dave

Attached is some information regarding the money raised in Bill's memory which was donated to the Andalucian Bird Society, and the very nice response from them and Salarte.  I know that you were intending to donate your field meeting's collection for 2025 to them in Bill's name, and thought you and your members would like to see a photograph of the plaque which Salarte has sited at the main entrance to the Trebujena Marshes.

It is comforting to know that some good has come from Bill's very very sad passing and that he will still have a small presence among the birds and salinas that he cared so much about.

Best wishes

Jennifer

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