Hamble River, Warsash

12 September 2026

Dry and calm so another chance to take a walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back at about mid-tide and before all the dog walkers descend on the area.  Once across the road from home and at the riverside a couple of Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits plus a handful of foraging Turnstones. But just a couple of Black-headed and a single Herring Gull.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Once past the ferry landing stage more Black-headed Gulls and Black-tailed Godwits along with a couple of  Little Egrets.  Ten, opposite the first of the exposed islands, many more Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks pus scores of Ringed Plovers running around the island. Just the one Curlew noted at this point and no Great Black-backed Gull this morning.  The Greenshank on the island's near shore had now been joined by a second individual first seen on the meadow.  Alone Woodpigeon passed over and then immediately overhead a score of Canada Geese making their way up to the empty Bunny Meadow where I eventually found a resting flock of forty-four.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Towards the far end of the main island, apart from a Carrion Crow, a came across a pair of Little Stint amongst the many Ringed Plover.  Looking at the distant end of Bunny Meadow I picked out the only Oystercatcher of the morning but much nearer to me a lone Common Gull with a few Blacked-headed and a pair of Herring Gulls a little further away.

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Once at the conservation area a quintet of Teal around the wreck plus a couple of Redshank. On the river's edge behind me four Dunlin and forging around the conservation area a single Pied Wagtail.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Time to make my way back home and stopping at the main island I managed to find a pair of Grey Plover.  A Collared Dove was on the beach next to the ferry pier and on the land side of the path a lone Lapwing on the last stretch of mud.  Finally, a Magpie in a garden at the back of the meadow.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Teal, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Redshank Tringa totanus (rear) with Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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