Lower Hamble River

Friday 27 October

A quick walk across the road late morning to check o the state of the Hamble River at high to view the progress being made on repairs to the riverside walk produced rather a shock to the system!  Not only was the path still closed from the ferry per north but the water was lapping up against the path at a very high tide and the breaks in the raised riverside path had enable the water to break through and completely flood the inner Bunny Meadow.

Flooded Bunny Meadow looking upstream from the ferry landing stage

Looking further up river from the terminated path one could see that most of the path was now underwater and the obvious gaps as mentioned above.

The thin line in the centre is the now damaged and flooded path

However, there were still some birds to be seen the path including a pair of Wigeon making the most f the flooded meadow plus a fishing Cormorant.  Just a single distant Herring Gull on the far right and further up river it was possible to make it a lone Little Egret and a couple of Black-headed Gulls. A handful of Canada Geese were resting at the water's edge adjacent to one of the larger properties. And no sooner birds noted and photographs taken than the rain returned so ending a couple of hours of sunshine.

The much puddled riverside path looking north and showing how the river has almost covered the path

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Wigeon, Cormorant, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull.

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Farlington Marshes

Thursday 26 October

Farlington Marsh looking east

Car into MG garage in Farlington but necessary to retain for day so off to nearby Farlington Marsh for an anti-clockwise circuit of the usual trail and coming across a dozen or more birders awaiting the reappearance of the three Short-eared Owls that had been seen earlier in the morning.  Beautiful sunny weather and hardly any breeze so a complete circuit rather than just a walk to the abandoned Visitors Centre and back.  And having, packed everything into the car after the two hours forty-five minutes to cover the three miles, a heavy knocking on the roof told me that the rains had appeared and so heavy that I had to wait for storm to settle down before driving back to Warsash.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Making my way to the abandoned Visitors Centre I quickly came across a number of Moorhen followed by a couple of Mallard. Once clear of the very puddled track and at the lagoon in front of the VC I found many Teal and Moorhen along with a few Shoveler and Coot.  A handful of Lapwing were resting on the right-hand side and a Robin was quite active behind me.

Teal Anas crecca

Thinking nothing ventured, nothing gained I decided to carry on to the junction in the path ahead to check out the fields in front of me.   Away to my left a Little Egret and then on the field on front of me as well as a small herd of young steers a second Little Egret and a lone Cattle Egret near the beasts.  Away at the back over a score of resting Curlew as a pair of Carrion Crows put in an appearance.  A couple of Meadow Pipits were moving about the field and looking back across the field to my right towards the distant reedbed I was rewarded with a Buzzard resting atop a fence post.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

In order to try and get a better view of the Cattle Egret with the sun presently shining straight into the camera, I continued up the track to the sea wall.  After all, there might well be a few resting birds on the water which was just approaching high tide.  A Magpie flew past on my right  and then, once on the sea wall, I counted a group of eleven Little Egrets and 21 Brent Geese just off the shore.  Behind me a pair of Sky Larks seemed to be enjoying the morning sunshine as they flew around the sky above me.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Having come this far I thought I would continue in as far as the Deeps before retracing my steps with the sun (then) behind me.  Lots of Black-headed Gulls about and a distant flock of Starling away to my right at the far side of the marsh.  The first sight of the local Canada Geese revealed at least a hundred and I was to more than double the number by the time I moved on to the far side of the site.  A Herring Gull passed overhead along wit the first Woodpigeon of the day and, after finding my first of four Grey Herons I was at The Deeps.  All very quiet here apart from a lone Pied Wagtail and, as yet, no activity on the newly created gravel islands, presumably constructed in time to settle before the return of both terns and Little Ringed Plovers next Spring.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

At this point I noticed the large gathering of birders at the southern end of the marsh which indicated to me that something special was being studied or had been recently reported.  So, continuing on and finding a lovely Dunnock foraging in the bushes below, a local birder informed me that the attraction was the four Short-eared Owls that had been seen yesterday.  A distant Kestrel away at the northern end of the marsh and a small flock of Shelduck flew over as I approached the waiting birders.  Nothing had been seen of the owls for over an hour when a few of the birders had recorded three individual hunting the over the grass below.

Distant Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Meanwhile, behind me over the water a large flock of Oystercatchers flew eastwards towards a small island to take their rest.  Deciding after a short rest to continue I found a Blackbird in the bushes below quickly followed by a couple of Stonechat and a very small charm of feeding Goldfinches.  

Small charm of Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

More Meadow Pipits and another pair of Sky Larks brought me opposite a small gravelly island just off shore which was playing host to a very large flock of Dunlin and a number of Grey Plover as well as Oystercatchers.  The few Brent Geese resting on or near the island drew my attention to the even larger flock of these geese actually on the water; a number of individuals in excess of 500.  The Brent Geese have well and truly arrived back for the winter.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla with very many Dunlin Calidris alpina

As I turned north to head up to the viewing point I noted the pair of Mute Swans and then I was at the sheltered reedbed.  A couple of Little Grebes and a good number of Mallard plus more Coots and Moorhens noted as I started to check the waters below me.  At least a score of Pintail, more Shovelers plus Wigeon and Redshanks before finding a handful of Gadwall.  On a fence post at the back a resting female Marsh Harrier and then a trio of Cormorants passed overhead.

Pintail Anas acuta

Finally, after consulting a birder  I met on the far side travelling in the opposite direction who had just crossed the marsh below and confirmed that (other than the gate entrance below) the path was free of mud, I took myself off in that direction to get a closer look at the flock of bids resting "up river" as it were.  Apart from noting the very many Redshank, I also found a few Black-tailed Godwits and a good number of Lapwing.  A single Greenshank was a rewarding sighting along with more Teal and Wigeon.  Ans till there were more Little Egrets to be seen plus the occasional Heron.  A cock Pheasant few out from behind a small bush and then I was back on the main track leading to the car.  Almost within sight of the end when a lone Wren was recorded as my last sighting of the morning.

Mainly hundreds of resting Redshank Tringa totanus

And, as already referred to, no sooner had I got back into the car to record my sightings than I heard the gentle tip-tap on the roof as the rain commenced, within seconds turning into a massive downpour which necessitated a delayed start to me return home.

Pintail A.acuta and Teal A.crecca

Bird seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch. 

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Very distant resting Curlew Numenius arquata

Departing Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Teal A.crecca

Mainly Redshank Tringa totanus

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Oxey Marsh and Normandy Lagoon

The hinting Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Saturday 21 October

Into the new Forest and on to the Solent shore south of Lymington to join the HOS (Hampshire Ornithological Society) field meeting around Oxey Marsh and Normandy Lagoon under the leadership of the ever enthusiastic and positive expertise of Ian Packer.  Awful weather forecast but the four sudden, sharp showers came as we entered the narrow avenue at the start and protection by the still well-leafed trees.  Then it was out on the open Oxey Marsh for an anti-clockwise circuit via the Solent seawall to Normandy Lagoon and back.  Nevermind rain, in still conditions the weather improved and became quite sunny and warm which saw at least four of the group of nine removing layers to their respective rucksacks rather than the other way round.  Having reached 50 species by the time we turned inland to towards Normandy Lagoon we were about to experience a shock change in the weather.  Once at the lagoon, with not even a small bush never mind a single tree in sight, the heavens opened with a further prolonged series of showers but, at least, a ten minute pause whilst we ate out picnic lunches on steps at the far end of the lagoon. Then it was off again to the far end and back and by this time the showers had turned into continues rainfall; that light penetrating rain that thoroughly soaks one.  So much for an hour on the operating table the previous afternoon with the last words form the surgeon, "Make sure you keep the arm dry for the next two days!"  Taken back home by my friend Richard Osman like a drowned rat or bedraggled rag doll that the cat brought in after a night on the tiles to a welcoming hot bath - and my left arm dangling over the side.

Not one but three Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria alongside the Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Departing the parked cars we quickly added Robin, Carrion Crow and Chaffinch before reaching the back of Acre Pond where we came across the Canada Geese flock and a few Mallard. The adjacent trees were alive with Woodpigeons, Blackbirds, Goldfinches and Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits along with more Chaffinches. Even a Bullfinch was singing in the tall bushes behind us which was eventually seen in silhouette before giving a better showing.  A Cetti's Warbler was calling loudly and on the roof of the cottage to our right, both Starlings and House Sparrows.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Following the narrow channel to Oxey Marsh we found a pair of Little Egret and off to the field on our right a handful of Greylag Geese along with the first of the Magpies seen during the morning. Crossing Oxey marsh top the Solent's sea wall we found a small number of Meadow Pipits and, looking up, managed to find a single House Martin and a quartet of passing Barn Swallows. A small pool to our left held a pair of Little Grebes and a larger pool on the opposite side held Oystercatchers, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and the occasional passing Black-headed Gull.  With Ian, Amanda, Brian and myself finding all sorts of bird life our day's list was rapidly expanding.  And on reaching the top of the seawall to look back over the marsh we also found a couple of Stonechat a passing Herring Gull, Greenshank and a Pied Wagtail on the beach to the south. I think Amanda was first to see the Kingfisher flash past and then the bird reappeared to rest on the fence for a minute or so giving all the chance for an excellent view.  Not just an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull passing over but a lone Curlew found "hiding" on the grassy bank above the Oystercatcher.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa with Greenshank Tringa nebularia in background

Then it was off northwards along the seawall and noting the first Cormorant of the morning along with a couple of Great Crested Grebes on the open water of the Solent.  Checking a spit just about to be covered by the incoming tide, we found not only a single Mediterranean Gull on the far right but three Knot on the opposite end.  Also present a handful of Dunlin and a couple of resting Cormorants.  No sooner had we started off gain that we stopped to check the quintet of large ducks a little further out and Ian's trusty Swarovski travelling scope confirmed Eider Ducks.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Our next stop was at the stat of the turn north-west towards Oxey Lake where, with a Dunnock flitting about in the bushes behind us, we tried to identify the distant birds on the exposed grassy island and lagoons.  We had son revealed the small number of Wigeon and then, along with more resting Cormorants, over a score of Brent Geese.  In the meantime, Brian, I think, had found a dark object well offshore beyond a couple of buoys that looked too big for an Eider but not right for the suggested Cormorant.  To me the head looked wrong and not the "usual" poise of such a bird so, once again, the scope into action and after much study we could see all the identifying criteria to confirm a resting Shag, my "Bird of the day."  T make matters even better, looking at the far spit we could see a group of about four Cormorant with and "odd one out" at the far end so presenting us with a second Shag.  Now what on earth was a Shag doing in this area rather than on a rocky, exposed shore?

Resting Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo on Oxey Lake

Moving on round the corner to take a look at Oxey Lake a Raven passed overhead and the inland pools contained more Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks.  Diligent searching found Little Grebes, Heron and another Greenshank as well as more Wigeon and Teal.  Bushes on the far side then produced another Stonechat along with a quartet of Linnet.  But, it was the shout from behind that made us all look up as an Osprey appeared overhead and gracefully circled around looking for a tasty meal.   At the same time, eventually most of us also noted the distant pair of Buzzards circling above the far trees. And as a final bonus before we moved on to cross Moses Dock to the Salterns Marsh, we had a visit from a Turnstone to the beach below us and an in-flying small flock of Wigeon.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Once on the far side of Moses Dock we were able to look back to the inside of the far side and see the very large flock of resting small waders. mainly Ringed Plovers of varying age and totalling well over fifty plus also a good number of Dunlin.  On the shore below us a number of foraging Turnstones plus another dozen Dunlin.  Then it was Acre Pond which held a few Mallard and Canada Geese plus a dozen Little Grebe.  And by this time we had recorded very many Little Egret, fast approaching a score.

Mainly a mixture of adult and juvenile Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Hundreds of Dunlin Calidris alpina noted during the morning

No sooner had we moved on than it became obvious that we were going to get the first shower since starting out.  It may only have lasted six minutes but by jove it threw it down.  On to Normandy Lagoon and more showers whilst completely exposed it more intermittent rain. But the visit did produce a further six species.  The first island held a lone Bar-headed Goose and the last time I had seen one of these foreign geese I was on the Somerset shore at Steart Nature Reserve when the general consensus was that it was probably an escapee from the relatively nearby upstream Slimbridge Wildlife Reserve.  Could this be the same individual?  Who knows.

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (taken from Internet) *

At the far side amongst the Canada Geese flock we found a couple of cock Pheasants and on the island in front a single Great Black-backed Gull.    No shortage of Lapwing here along with the many Dunlin and more Redshanks and a single Greenshank and even a trio of Shoveler exited the site to distant pastures new.  However, it was whilst looking at a Lapwing on the nearest island form half-way along the seawall that I saw a Turnstone moving past the bird at the rear of a narrow spit.  Not so much the Turnstone but the hidden "brown" bird that caught my attention behind the low scrub that it passed.  What could it be?  Much debate and then the necessary use of the scope so that Ian was able to confirm not one but two Golden Plover - and then I found a third when looking at the photograph below.  And so ended the session as the steady rain set in and we still had a long, very exposed walk back to the cars!

Lapwing V.vanellus (left) with two Golden Plover P.apricaria  and a Greenshank Tringa nebularia

By the time we set off back to the cars we had reached that memorable Heinz number of 57 species and were then added a pair of Jackdaws that flew over the cars as we reached our destination.  Only two short of  round 60 but dipped on Greenfinch, Collared Dove and Wren amongst others!

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

* Rain lashing down on the outward journey and the bird had moved on by the time we returned

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Eider Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Shag, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Osprey, Buzzard, Oystyercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Redshank Tringa totanus

Two of the many Herons Ardea cinerea

Our wandering, searching Osprey Pandion haliaetus

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Hamble River

Sunday 8 October

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

A beautiful, warm and sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky.  A mid-afternoon walk at low tide saw jenny and I walking up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back.  A good variety of birds to be seen despite the presence of many walkers.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Lots of Black-tailed Godwits, Teal and Ringed plovers plus at least seven Little Egrets.  Shore waders included many Redshank, Dunlin and Turnstones with both a Curlew and Oystercatcher at the conservation area.  Also in this area the resting Teal along with about fifteen wintering Wigeon.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Over to the back a small resting flock of Grey Plovers and near the house at the back of the meadow Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Magpie.  Just the one Woodpigeon but also a couple of Feral Pigeons.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Teal, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Resting Teal Anas crecca and Wigeon A.penelope

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