Farlington Marshes

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Tuesday 27 August

Mixture of sun and cloud with a gentle breeze as I set off for a clockwise visit to Farlington Marshes, arriving by 9.15. Making my way anti-clockwise to the viewing area I soon encountered both Robin and Woodpigeons.  Once on the harbour wall with the tide half-out a number of Black-headed Gulls along with a handful of Oystercatchers and a pair of Curlew.  A small number of Herring Gull were then noted before arriving at the viewing area where I added the hovering Kestrel and a the first of the morning's Starlings.  On the pool in front of the viewing area a single Cormorant and a few Mallard.  Then a quartet of Shelduck put in an appearance.  A Greenshank flew over and out to the mudflats and a lone Mute Swan was seen a little further away.

Taking the path across the meadow alongside the river I note a score or more resting Lapwing along with many more Mallard.  A Great Crested Grebe was fishing mid-water.  However, the higher water level and the small bridge having collapsed I was forced to retrace my steps and fins an alternative path through the trees and bushes to my right before regaining the meadow path on the other side of the flooded area.  In doing so not only did I record a couple of Blackbirds but also a Green woodpecker that had been, presumably, feeding on ants immediately in front of me.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Once at the the brick barn the lagoon, too, was at a high level with no edges for the waders so just a large number of Coot and a handful of Moorhen.  On the water another pair of Little Grebe along with a Gadwall and more resting Mallards.  Behind the barn a Heron was resting atop the feeder and both Mallard and Moorhen were noted on the water along with another Little Egret.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis (right) with Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Moving further along I stopped to check the first few Canada Geese seen this morning and also noted the now apparent resident Barnacle Goose.  On the other side of the track amongst the the grazing cattle a pair of Cattle Egrets were noted. A half-dozen Linnets flew over and came to rest on a nearby fence and a little further on a male Reed Bunting was also seen.

Linnets Carduleis cannabina

Then followed the completion of the clockwise circuit where I recorded more Canada Geese resting/feeding in small groups and the occasional Magpie and Carrion Crow.  Even another three Herons before completing the walk. Ad once on the far seawall overlooking the mudflats towards Portsmouth eleven resting Harbour Seals.  Finally, once back at the viewing area, a Redshank and two more Curlew feeding in the gullies and mudflats to my left.

Eleven resting Harbour Seals Phoca vitulina with Portsmouth in the background

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Actually 2 Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis on show

Curlew Numenius arquata on the mudflats at low tide

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Warsash Workmans Lane and Solent Shore

Sunday 25 August 

The Scrape with  water at a higher level

A beautiful sunny start to the morning spoilt only by the cool northerly breeze.  Parking at the top of Workmans Lane I made my way down to the horse field but only managing to find a single Robin and a number of Woodpigeon.  Even the field seemed deserted with just a handful of Carrion Crows but as I made my way back to the lane first a  couple of Magpies then three different skeins of Canada Geese passing overhead giving a total of 67 individuals. 

Continuing on down the lane and on to the Solent shore first a Wren followed by a male Blackbird.  Once on the shore with the tide just about fully out, a good number of Black-headed Gulls and Oystercatchers to be seen.  A little searching also produced a Little Egret and then a number of Herring Gulls.

Avocets Recurvisrostra avosetta

Making my way towards the Scrape, with nothing to be seen on the Meandering Pools, a trio of Starling and then a couple of Linnet.   Indeed, as I made my way past the gorse enclosure I was pleased to see the feeding Roe Deer within forty metres.  

Roe Deer Capreolus capriolus

At the Scrape itself all looked deserted apart from a single Little Grebe and a Moorhen on the far side.  However, moving further on to look back at the water, I found a single later joined by three other Avocet.  nearby the "resident" lone Shelduck was also busy feeding whilst on the grassy island a Heron's head could just be seen. And as I was about to start my return journey a flock of twenty Black-tailed Godwits arrived, flew round a couple of times before settling next to the Avocets.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa with the Avocets

Walking back to Chilling Point the number of Herring Gulls feeding on the mud seemed to have increased and were now also joined by a two score Black-tailed Godwits.  Further out on a small shelf a Cormorant was drying itself in the sun.

Back up to Workmans Lane and a revisit to to the horse field.  A few more Carrion Crows now present along with a couple of Jackdaw.  As a flock of five Linnet flew over I made my way to the far end of the track to find the hunting Kestrel which, having apparently caught something on the ground, was now being mobbed by a Magpie which drove it away to the far end of the field.  The, stopping once more at the donkey enclosure, I found a very distant male Stonechat sitting on the fence. Time to return home and the last bird recorded at the top of the lane was a preening Collared Dove.

Distant record shot of the Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

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RSPB Pagham Harbour and Medmerry

 Friday 23 August

RSPB Medmerry

A lovely sunny start to the day following last night's storms but still a strong wind that did, at least, fall back a little by late morning.  Off early with Richard Osman and arrived at RSPB Pagham Harbour a few minutes after 9.  Lots of food on offer at the feeding station and immediately a number of Greenfinch plus Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits.  A charm of at least two dozen Goldfinches visited the area and also lots of Woodpigeon and a sole Collared Dove about as we moved on down to the hide overlooking the lake. 

At first the lake looked almost deserted until we noticed the well-concealed birds resting on the edge to our right. Many Black-tailed Godwit and Mallard plus a handful of Teal and Avocet.  A few Lapwing also present and at the far end both a Heron and Little Egret. Just the one herring and a few Black-headed Gulls to be seen.  The feeding station opposite the hide saw the feeders almost flapping about in the wind but it did not stop visits from both Blue and Great Tits along with a couple of House Sparrow and Chaffinch.  More Goldfinches were seen.

Walking the few yards to the river at low tide we picked up many more Mallard plus Little Egret and a couple of Redshank and a handful of Black-headed Gulls.  making our way back to the car park  Cormorant flew over the lake and a pair of carrion crows were seen departing from the trees ahead of us.

Next the three mile drive over to neighbouring RSPB Medmerry where we were once again greeted by the first of very many Woodpigeon and a couple of Barn Swallows.  Just before reaching the first view point looking down at the empty expanse of mudflats and grassy meadow, a Kestrel was seen to rise and depart before we observed a number of Black-headed Gulls and many Woodpigeon, both on the ground and in the neighbouring trees.  To the back we counted a grand total of 280 Canada Geese along with both a Little Egret and a Herring Gull. The Starling flock totalled around seventy and moving on through the gorse we came across our first Linnet of the morning followed by a small charm of Goldfinch.

Resting Heron Ardea cinerea, Canada Geese Branta canadensis and Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

A pair of Carrion Crow were seen atop the brick barn to our right and then we arrived above the large lake below us to our right.  Here another forty Canada Geese along with hundreds of Starling and many Mallard plus a Gadwall and handful of Teal.  Four Moorhen and three Coot along with both a Heron and Little Egret before noting the dozen or so Lapwing.  Away to our left on the opposite side of the track a further 21 Cormorants were resting on the bank of the now empty river.

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo and Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

The walk to the beach itself produced nothing new and as we made our way back to the above lake more Barn Swallows were noted.  Then a pair of Oystercatcher flew in to rest and away behind the old buildings just beyond the lake a passing Marsh Harrier.  Continuing on back towards the car park a Magpie was heard below us to our left and then a second seen as we approached the first viewing point. Finally, as left the track to the the footpath into the car park a couple of Greenfinch atop a small tree and once at the car itself a Wren in the scrub and thick bushes behind us giving a total species of 33 for the morning.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Distant Isle of Wight from Medmerry beach

Medmerry beach

Distant Portsmouth from Medmerry beach

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Workmans Lane, Warsash

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Sunday 18 August

Good weather promised for the morning so with Richard Osman back down to Workmans Lane at the Hook end of Warsash. A single Magpie in the field behind the houses then nothing until almost at the entrance to the horse fields.  Having stopped to check both sides of the road and finding a Carrion Crow in the horse fields but nothing in the field on the opposite side, I heard a quiet tapping sound behind me and turned to find  Great Spotted Woodpecker having a good feed on insects found on a telegraph pole.  (Probably need to replace that pole sooner rather than later!)

Moving along the track at the bottom of the horse filed it was immediately obvious that the herd of horses being held in a small pen at the far end had been released and were now spread over the whole field so, possibly, less chance of finding the desired Yellow Wagtails. This certainly proved to be true once we reached the donkey paddock with not a single wagtail of any sort recorded.  But lots of findings in the donkey paddock.  First a couple of Stonechats then a couple of Whitethroat feeding on the blackberries behind the donkey stable.  Then having found a least four Stonechat our first Whinchat and, at the far right-hand end, a Wheatear.  A juvenile male Blackbird came to feed along with a young Greenfinch.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

Checking the main field once again and finding no sign of a wagtail, we checked the corvids and recorded a minimum thirty Rooks along with a similar number of Jackdaw and almost as many Carrion Crows.  Even a pair of feeding Magpies.

Rook Corvus frugilegus

As we made on round the field to the stile at the far end we finally managed to find a single Pied Wagtail and also recorded a few Linnets along with another Whitethroat and a flock of at least sixty Starlings.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Taking Hook Lane then a walk through the woods to gain access to the path across the common, we first encountered Goldfinches then Greenfinches before stopping to admire the ever-calling Buzzard resting in an old tree.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Once back at the car to deposit the scope, we then took an anti-clockwise circuit along the back of the common and down to the main road before returning to the car for our home ward drive.  The Buzzard was still calling and above us we could see its circling mate.  A Chiffchaff as we passed through the woods and then, in the garden of the last house, we watched as a Buzzard (maybe the previous one seen above us) drop down on to the grass at the far side to take an interest in whatever was on the ground. In the tree above a Collared Dove took absolutely no notice.  Finally, walking back along the road, we noted a juvenile Herring Gull resting on a chimney and then an adult flew past to join another three houses along before both returned in the same direction passing the juvenile without showing any interest. Strange or interesting?

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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Warsash and Solent Shores

 Saturday 17 August

Sun still shining and tide now almost out so a second walk of the day down to and along Warsash shore to the Solent. Not too many Black-headed Gulls at first along with a few Black-tailed Godwit and the occasional Oystercatcher.  Approaching the pier at the School of Navigation far more Oystercatchers and Black-tailed Godwits along with a number of Black-headed and a handful of Herring Gulls.  On the other hand, only a couple of Carrion Crows so far.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Once at the Spit and able to observed the inner water and neighbouring mudflats, very any Black-tailed Godwits and Black-headed Gulls along with a single Little Egret and a passing Woodpigeon.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Moving on down to the Scrape a quartet of resting Canada Geese along with 17 Avocet, a single Shelduck and Little Grebe plus forty Mallard. Scoping the water I also added a trio of Moorhen and a Coot before finding the single Common Sandpiper.  Only a handful of Black-headed Gulls but a couple of resting Common Terns.  Then, over to the far back right of the water, the appearance of a Great White Egret which stayed for a couple of minutes before departing northwards towards Warsash.

Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos

Making my way to the Meandering Pools all was quiet save for a couple of Magpie on the far side and then an incoming Grey Heron. So back towards home and recording a number of Linnet on the way plus a flock of Starling.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

However, back in the small copse next to the former observation post foundations both Chiffchaff and a Common Redstart noted before then finding a Collared Dove departing from the beach as I approached Strawberry Fields. A very pleasant couple of hours.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Redstart, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

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Workmams Lane, Warsash

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima

Saturday 17 August

Such a pity to stay in the house on a lovely morning so I took a quick drive to the other end of the village to enable me to walk down Workmans Lane and across the horse fields and back. All very quiet initially with just three Carrion Crows and a Blue Tit.

But once on the track at the bottom of the Horse fields I soon added a Dunnock before reaching the occupied horse paddock towards the end.  No less then six Pied Wagtails counted and on the opposite of the track at least 90 Carrion Crows foraging on the field.  Just off to my right in the donkey paddock a single Wheatear was posing atop a fence post. So on the end and a walk along the top side of the field where I found a Linnet and dozen Starling.  Above me a pair of Barn Swallows. Away in the distance a continuously calling Buzzard.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli

Returning to the original horse field the number of Pied Wagtails had now increased to seventeen along with a quartet of Yellow Wagtails.  The Wheatear was still present but now joined by a male Stonechat and more Linnets.  Very few Woodpigeons noted this morning but I did find a lone Greenfinch on the way back to the car.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima

Birds seen:

Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

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Titchfield Canal and Mean Harbour

Friday 16 August 

A late morning visit to Titchfield canal on a bright, warm and sunny day arriving a for an 11 o'clock walk along the canal to the end of the avenue and back.  All very quiet to start with apart from the circling Buzzard with its mate sitting on a dead branch above the Barn Owl's nesting tree and continually calling.  Just a few Woodpigeons to start and not a single corvid seen all morning. Difficult to see Bridge Street Floods but I did pick out a Coot and Mallard.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Once down into the avenue I soon recorded a Robin and then, looking over to Posbrook Floods a pair of both Mallard and Gadwall along with a total of 5 Grey Heron and 9 Little Egrets. Singing away around me both Blue and Great Tits along with a Nuthatch. At the far end a little walk through the tall grasses at the back of the water produced a single Reed Bunting.

Gadwall Anus strepera

Making my way back I then added a Lapwing moving across the reeds along with a couple of Cormorant.   Finally, with all the Little Egrets and Herons in sight also the long-staying Glossy Ibis. A couple of Wrens along with Chiffchaffs were then noted and once back at Bridge Street Floods an Egyptian Goose was standing at the muddy edge.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Next it was a drive down to Titchfield Haven and the Meon estuary.  From the cliff top overlooking Hill Head beach  many Black-headed along with a few Herring Gulls plus a single Little Egret and a dozen Oystercatchers.

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus with gulls

Walking down to the estuary I picked up a score of Turnstone plus double that number of Mallard.  From the bridge and viewing point, the pool held Cormorants, many Coot plus both Mallard and Gadwall.  Also present both Little and Great Crested Grebes along with a Mute Swan and her four cygnets.  Only a handful of Black-headed Gulls along with a quartet of Common Tern.  Beyond the fence in the reserve proper I could see a good flock of both Canada Geese and Black-tailed Godwits. Then a single Woodpigeon plus over seventy Starling flew across the road towards the harbour above my head.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Heron, Buzzard, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Starling, Reed Bunting.

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