Farlington Marshes

Friday 18 September

Another dry day so over to Farlington Marshes arriving at 9.30 for an anti-clockwise circuit plus walk up the river n the return stretch.  A cool breeze blowing when exposed but lots of birds to be seen starting with a Magpie in the car park and followed by both a Black-tailed Godwit and Moorhen in the small pond as I approached the sea wall.  Once on the wall with the tide fully out, numerous Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls on the mud flats along with a quintet of Curlew and a number of Lapwing. Also present a couple of Little Egret, three Mute Swans and a pair of overflying Grey Herons.   Even a trio of Carrion Crows to add to the collection of feeding birds.

Curlew Numenius arquata

On the meadow in front and alongside the main lake a number of Lapwing and Meadow Pipits plus both Pied Wagtail and Robin.  On the water many Teal and Coot plus a handful of Shelduck and a solitary Avocet sleeping on the nearside bank.  However, in addition to a handful of Black-tailed there was also a single Bar-tailed Godwit.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Continuing on past the viewing point, where I also picked up a lone Oystercatcher, a small flock of linnets in the bushes on the corner then anther Lapwing on the mudflats.  All the very quiet until across to the far sea wall where, meeting another couple of birders, we first confirmed a Lesser Whitethroat and then found a Whinchat atop a low bush next to a resting Woodpigeon and at the now dry Deeps a pair of Wheatear.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Across the water towards Hayling Island a Cormorant was resting atop a large post and above the trees towards Langstone a quartering Osprey which was then mobbed by a Peregrine Falcon. All very exciting!  The dry Deeps, apart from the Wheatears, only produced a couple of resting Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons).  On the other hand, the walk on towards the path turning inland did suddenly present a passing Goldcrest which spent a minute or so in the tree in front of me and more Little Egrets out on the mud flats.  At this point a trio of Barn Swallows put in a brief appearance.

Canada Geese and Redshanks but what is the mystery bird hidden in the centre?

Once at the old barn and the lagoon and a number of Mallard plus a pair of Shoveler on the water and accompanied by a few Lapwing and Coot. Art the far corner at least eighty resting Redshank and more Canada Geese which were then to be seen all the way up the river towards the main lake.

Taking the grassy path to the river I cam across more teal and mallard and a stop at the first bench provided a couple of Willow Warblers, Pied Wagtail and more Linnets.  

Record hot of visiting Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Ahead of me at least sixty resting Redshanks at the waterside amidst the Canada Geese plus probably a dozen Dunlin.  One strange birds was, I imagine, a Black-tailed Godwit still in full "ginger" colouring asleep between a pair of Canada Geese but unable to get close enough, or the bird take an interest in what was going on around it, to make a definite identification.  Certainly, much larger than the Redshanks. A couple of Cetti's Warblers to my left and then a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull amongst the other gulls and before moving away from the water to return to the car noted a handful of recently arrived Pintails, still to moult out of their juvenile feathers.

Mainly Redshanks Tringa totanus but at least five Dunlin Calidris alpina at front

A very rewarding morning that eventually produced 40 species and still able to make my departure by 12.30.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Whinchat, Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Linnet.

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