Titchfield Haven

Sunday 18 October

Anther lovely sunny start to the albeit breezy and much colder and with the eastern side of Titchfeld Haven National Nature Reserve closing tomorrow for two months for restoration work on the first hide, decided I would pop down early to look at the low water beach and walk the boardwalk before returning home to welcome guests for the day.

Jackdaws as I approached the shore then looking at the beach with the low sun in my eyes only able to pick out a Little Egret so straight on to the observation area to check the River Meon and the island below me.  Lots of Shoveler and Gadwall with the dozen plus Lapwing resting on the island.  Nearer the back on the water more Little Egrets along with a Grey Heron, pair of Little Grebe and many Coot. A couple of Cormorant were resting then flying back to the pen sea.  Closer inspection found both a Snipe and a single Redshank on the far bank.  Then I notice, in amongst the resting Gadwall both a couple of Teal and a quartet of Wigeon.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Moving on to the harbour I stopped at the bridge and in time to see the arrival of Marsh Harrier and a Kingfisher few up and over my head.  In the harbour itself the family of the three Mute Swans and the main Mallard flock along with a couple of Coot.  From in front of the sailing club I was now able to check the shore with the sun behind me and found a dozen Ringed Plover below along with a mix onf Black-headed and Herring Gulls.  At the water's edge a single Great Black-backed Gull and just off shore near the buoy a quintet of male Eiders.  But only two Turnstones note along with another handful of Redshank.

Male Eiders Somateria mollissima

On down to the boardwalk on the eastern side of the reserve with a Rook flying overhead and Chiffchaff, Robin, Wren and Great Spotted Woodpecker noted. From the Meadow Hide I found a trio of Canada Geese along with another Grey Heron and the still active Marsh Harrier, albeit it then found a resting place low down in well-leafed tree.

Resting Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

I finally moved on to the Knights Bank Hide at the end of the footpath and noted the hundreds of passing Woodpigeons that arrived in the area.  Form this hide not only the resting Marsh Harrier but also a distant Buzzard and a Kestrel that came to rest nearby alongside the cattle.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Time to return to the car and head home but also noting a Blue Tit as I made my way back along the boardwalk. Stopping to check the river and island from the road I found that more Redshanks had arrive to rest on the island along with a single Glossy Ibis. Then, putting away the scope, a look out to the Solent saw the two fishing Sandwich Terns.  Finally, passing through the top end of Titchfield, as expected found not only more Jackdaws but a few Starlings.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail Eider, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Great Sotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Wren, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling.

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