More New Forest Birding

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Wednesday 12 February

Finished even earlier than expected at the surgery for blood testing this morning so over at Acres Down in the New Forest by 9.45 on a cold and overcast morning with the temperature at 4C (but did rise to as high as 5C by 1pm!) in the hope that I might catch up with the local Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.  I did not, but a birder who had arrived on site ten minutes before me did get a fleeting glance of a female which stopped at the regular tree for a five second drum. However, I did see Marsh and Blue Tits along with Blackbird, Robin and Wren before I moved on to Blashford Lakes, just north of Ringwood.

Arriving at 11.15 I went straight to the Woodland Hide to check on the feeders and, much to my annoyance, once again found the pair of photographers who sit all morning, and longer, with their long-range cameras at the only opening window, made even worse by the fact that the glass (or is it some form of plastic) is always either both dirty of fogged over on the outside making visibility far too poor for comfort.  Not to worry though, I did find Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits plus Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird and many Chaffinches plus the occasional Goldfinch.  However, lovely to see the visiting male Goldcrest which spent a few minutes on a bush next to the feeder but, save for two mentioned above, no other birder was able to get a chance to photograph or even a decent view. But, finally, a chance to get a shot of a group of visiting Siskins through the glass.

Siskins Carduelis spinus

Moving on down to the Ivy South Hide I found the water packed with ducks. Turned out work being undertaken around the edges of Ibsley Water and many birds had moved across to be away from the noise and disturbance.  Lots of Wigeon as expected but also many Teal, Tufted Duck, a few Shoveler and even a lone, male Pintail.  Not so many Cormorants on site this morning but a dozen or so immature Herring plus a single Black-headed Gull.  A few Coot and two Greylag Geese made up the numbers.

Teal Anas crecca

Ivy North Hide produced more teal and wigeon plus a pair of Mute Swans and a Great Crested Grebe.

Then, moving over to Ibsley Water I found most of the ducks were at the back of the water along with a few Mute Swans and Cormorants.  Mainly Wigeon but also Tufted Duck and Shoveler and a few Pintails towards the eastern end of the water where I also found the solitary Black-necked Grebe.  No Egyptian Geese seen and what little of the island in front of the hide above water seen held a pair of Oystercatchers.  As I left towards the hamlet at the end of the road, I also noted a Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Jackdaw and Woodpigeon.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Making my home through the back road towards Fritham, I stopped at Cadnam Pond where I found a good number of Mallard along with a pair of Canada Geese and three Mandarin Ducks. 

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

In the stumps and small trees at the back of the car park where active laying of seed had been under way, no shortage of (mainly) Blue Tits along with Great and a single Coal Tit, lots of Chaffinches plus Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock.  Even a Pied Wagtail wandered across to see what all the excitement was about. Time to head of back to Warsash picking up a Starling as I passed by Fritham and then greeted by one of my "resident" Magpies upon reaching home.

Robin Erithacus rubelcula

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mandarin Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, 

Chaffinches Fringilla coelebs

Great Tit Parus major

Is this a very shy Robin Erithacus rubelcula?

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The Titchfields and Weston Shore, Southamton

Friday 7 February

Collected just before 9 by Richard and straight off to the Meon Shore at Titchfield Haven to make us of the free parking before 10am to check both the sea and neighbouring habitats. Dull and cold would be an understatement with the bitingly cold wind but we persevered and after noting the Pied Wagtail on the road parking alongside us we headed off to view both the Solent and main lagoon from the road.  In the far distant reserve scrape we could see a trio of Spoonbill and a pair of Shelduck whilst on the shore a few Herring and a Great Black-backed Gull plus a small number of Oystercatchers and Turnstone. back to take a closer look at the main lagoon which produced Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall and a Little Grebe plus a few Black-headed Gulls.

The harbour contained the usual high number of Mallard plus a trio of Mute Swans and a single Coot. A Blue Tit was picked up as we walked through the back entrance of the Visitors Centre and on over to the shore on the other side of Hill Head Sailing Club.  Here we found a quintet of Brent Geese plus a few Turnstone, just the two Sanderling, a resting Cormorant and half-dozen Eiders out on the main water.  A couple of Woodpigeon behind us but on the shore with the tide forever moving out a handful of Carrion Crows and a multitude of gulls.  Mainly Black-headed and a good number of Herring but also a further four Great Black-backed Gulls.  No shortage of Oystercatchers but no Redshank to be seen. A final stop near the toilet block as we made our way back to Titchfield village produced a few more Turnstone along with a couple of Sanderling and a Ringed Plover.  A Blackbird was noted as we left the shore to drive inland.

Eider Duck Somateria mollissima

Approaching Titchfield canal car park at the top of Posbrook Road the ploughed field held a number of Rooks plus a few Carrion Crows and once parked we soon added both Blue Tit and Robin.  No sooner had we started to walk downstream along the canal path than we added Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow and Magpie but also a trio of House Sparrows in a dense bush to our right.  Once on the higher level to look over to Bridge Street flood we found a large number of Wigeon plus Moorhen, Coot,  Mallard, Lapwing and a couple of Cormorant.   Further to the right a Canada Goose and a pair of Shelduck.  Lots of Herring Gulls to the left but Black-headed Gulls to the right and a single Great Black-backed Gull around the middle on the near shore. A Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" away in the trees beyond the water.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Moving on down to Posbrook flood we stopped to check the small flood half way between the two main waters where we found a number of Shoveler and the Black-tailed Godwit flock.  A female Kestrel was hovering directly above us and then it was on to the bridge for the first close look at Posbrook flood.  Lots of Shoveler, more Pintail and Coot plus a couple of Heron.  A Blackbird was foraging on the other side of the canal and a handful of Jackdaw flew past. At the far end of the water we found yet another Heron along with the main Teal flock and a pair of Mute Swans. Whilst enjoying our coffee and refreshments (kindly provided by Richard) a handsome male Marsh Harrier drifted past  overhead as it maid its way down the reserve.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Making our way back to the car park we stopped once more at the small flood between the two main waters, here we found not only a small number of Canada Geese but the three resident Glossy Ibis showing very well and clear of obstructions.  Then almost back at the car a Dunnock happily resting inn clear sight to our right and, once again, more Great Tits.  Once warmed up a little and records updated, we started on our journey over to Weston shore a the top of Southampton Water, and noting the scores of Starling atop a tall tree as we drove away.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Thirty minutes later we were parked up in the main car park at the Netley end of the Weston Shore and immediately aware of the large gathering of Carrion Crows which now totalled more than 100 individuals. Close to us over a score of Rock Doves and on the shore and water itself no less than 18 Mute Swans.  Checking with the scope we soon added both Oystercatcher and Curlew.  Using the scopes we were able to check the reported site for the newly-arrived Long-tailed Duck where it was safely identified about 200 yards off-shore from the northern end of the shore beyond a small group of Brent Geese.  Almost opposite close to the Hythe shoreline just south of Hythe pier we found a Great Northern Diver. A final stop at the front next to Netley recreation ground produced a Great Crested Grebe close by on the water and behind us both Woodpigeon and Robin.  A quartet of Mallard and three Mute Swans on Sophie's Pond then back to the "Prince Consort" to get warm and enjoy a coffee/beer before heading back to Warsash after a most successful morning.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 5 February

I see Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are back at my favourite Almeria birding site.  Maybe not as many species that they might have hoped for but, nevertheless, all had a good time.  Congratulations to Mike and Kirsten and trust that Paul make a full and speedy recovery is once more back out with his birding peers.

Cabo de Gata   -   Wednesday 5th February

The La Perla team were out on tour today.  Nigel, a near neighbour and new to the group, drove me and Seamus down to Cabo de Gata.  From the motorway en route to the first hide we logged Woodpigeon, a pair of Hoopoe, Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Jackdaw and White Wagtail.  A scan of the shallow waters before us revealed Greater Flamingos, Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-legged Gull on the rocky causeway together with Little Egret and Mallard.  We were joined by Trevor.  Nigel found an Eurasian Curlew on the causeway and also saw an overflying Cormorant.  Also seen were Redshank, Thekla Lark, a Stonechat found by Trevor and some House Sparrows.  Nigel then spotted 3 Avocets just poking their heads above the bank.  We adjourned to the village cafe for coffee.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed, we made our way to the beach opposite the second hide track.  A scan of the near flat sea produced a couple of distant resting Gannet.  We trundled to the hide.  A male Sardinian Warbler appeared a couple of times.  I found 4 Spoonbill on the causeway near some Cormorants.  Also seen were Mallard, Yellow-legged Gulls which may have started to nest, a Redshank and of course many more Greater Flamingos.  Nigel found a Slender-billed Gull.

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We drove to the public hide.  Much of the same except I found a Greenshank and some Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

A Dunlin was seen.

Not wanting to risk the sandy beach route to Rambla Morales, we then headed home seeing a Magpie to complete our list.  27 species in total.  Great weather and good company.  Some good and bad news....Mike and Kirsten got married.  Congratulations!  But Paul Groves had a heart attack yesterday, but is recovering well.  A speedy recovery to him.

Regards

Dave

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New Forest Birding

Wednesday 5 February 

A little sunshine but still cold as I set off for Blashford Lakes in the New Forest arriving at 9.40 due to the mass of traffic on the M27. Once in the Tern Hide it was immediately apparent the increase in duck numbers on Ibsley Water with many score of Wigeon along with scores of both Pintail and Shoveler.  Still plenty of Tufted Duck but just a couple of Gadwall, small groups of Mallard and a handful of Teal.  Only two Great Crested Grebes noted but there two male Goldeneye, a Black-necked Grebe and a female Goosander. Lots of Canada Geese at the back of he water with a small number of Cormorant but just the one juvenile Mute Swan now almost completely moulted.  A couple of Egyptian Geese also on the water close to the island in front of the hide.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula with female Goosander Mergus mergaser in background

Moving over the main reserve just a smaller number of birds making use of the feeders at the Woodland Hide consisting mainly of Blue Tits and Chaffinches.  Also present the occasional Greenfinch and Goldfinch plus a few Great Tits, Siskins and a couple of Long-tailed Tits.  On the round Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock picking up the spillages.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Moving down to Ivy South Hide provided yet more Wigeon plus a Moorhen whereas Ivy North Hide had the main Teal flock along with a Water Rail. As I made my way to the far end of the reserve I also added both Woodpigeon and a number of Jackdaw.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

As I approached Cadnam Pool, near Fritham, on the way back I passed a couple of Mistle Thrushes on the ground and once at the water was able to find mainly Mallard but also two pairs of Mandarin Duck along with the long-staying Muscovy Duck and a couple of Canada Geese.  In the neighbouring trees a number of Chaffinches plus many Blue Tits along with both Robin and a single Coal Tit.  A Nuthatch also joined in the feeding fest.  The close by Janesmoor Pool held a true pair of Goosander.

Goosander Mergus merganser  (female above, male below)

Continuing on back to Southampton, a stop was made at the Old Cemetery to try and locate the visiting Hawfinches but no luck on this occasion.  Plenty of Magpies, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows along with Blackbird, Song Thrush and Blue Tit but no Hawfinches to be seen.

My final stop was at Bittern Triangle close to the River Itchen.  A short stay to let me walk down to the riverside park and dully find eight Black Swans along with a few Mute Swans.  No shortage of Black-headed Gulls and Rock Doves as a number of small family groups were bust feeding the birds.  Also noted a trio of Mallard plus a handful of Herring Gulls.  All in all a very rewarding morning producing 44 species.

Male (?) Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Female (?) Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Egyptian Goose, Muscovy Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Gadwall Anas strepera

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Female Goosander Mergus mergaser

Sunbathing Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo

Distant Jay Garrulus glandarius

Well-hidden Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Mainly Pintail Anas acuta

Teal Anas crecca

Wigeon Anas penelope

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Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes

Sunday 2 February

Cold but sunny and dry and no wind for the latest meeting of the Hampshire Ornithological Society's field visits, this time covering the Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes on the Solent coast of the New Forest west of Lymington and with a total of 27 members present led by the ever-cheerful, enthusiastic and experienced local birder, Ian Packer.  And, indeed, a most enjoyable and rewarding six hours with just on 70 species recorded.

Meeting at Keyhaven car park at 9.30 for a clockwise loop round the northern Keyhaven Marshes before proceeding on to the Pennington Marshes followed by the direct route back along the sea wall and path, I managed to take advantage of arriving early by visiting the Milford Conservation's hide overlooking the adjacent lagoon and so giving me an almost private view of the water and edges plus the feeding station immediately below the hide.  Here not only numerous House Sparrows and both Blue and Great Tits and the occasional visit from both Blackbird and Dunnock but what seemed like an almost tame Water Rail that spent most of the time foraging below the feeders. Off to the right of the boundary hedge a Kingfisher posed whilst waiting fir its next fishing dive into the water below.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

On the water a number Mallard and Pintail plus a feeding Little Grebe with both resting Black-headed Gulls and a Little Egret.  At the far end a flock of Teal and to the left resting Lapwing with a Redshank and few Oystercatchers and, up against the reeds, a cock and hen Pheasant.  But pride of place must go the visiting immature Little Gull which was happy to fly up and down the water albeit not near enough or at rest to try and get a good focus on the bird.

Best of a hurried and distant record shot of the Little Gull Larus minitus

Back to the car park to join up with the gathered members ready to set off back to the hide before continuing up the ancient highway to the back of Fishlake Lagoon.  Good to see so many familiar faces and especially Amanda Cameron and new member Laura Coulson from near Porchester who Richard and I had the pleasure to meet last month whilst birding at Farlington.  Arriving at the hide I stayed outside and checked the water-filled harbour where I found a Mute Swan and a couple of feeding Kingfishers. Then on a few yards over the bridge to check the far side of the lagoon where we recorded a passing Carrion Crow, found a pair of Gadwall and a distant Marsh Harrier.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Moving u the track of the ancient highway difficult to see much as too many people in a small area and the low Sun shining into our eyes as we tried to check out the silhouettes of the birds on the marshes to our right.  Mainly Canada and the many Brent Geese identified but approaching the bottom of Pennington Lane we had both Kestrel and Magpie off to our left and in front large flocks of Lapwing up in the sky plus a flock of approximately 300 Golden Plover above them.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Leaving the highway to walk back down tot the seawall with Fishlake Lagoon on our right chance to get a better view of the bird life with the Sun now beginning to be to our advantage. On our left the Golden Plovers had settle on the flooded meadow along with the very many Lapwing and e also found a distant Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Shelduck by checking the Heron at the furthest part of the meadow. Even a few Wigeon and amongst the Canada a couple of Greylag Geese.

Part of the Golden Plover Pluvius apricaria resting flock 

The bushes immediately in front of us produced both Blackbird and Song Thrush and to the right a Meadow Pipit flew south just beyond the hedgerow. On the flooded marsh itself numerous ducks and gulls including both Herring and Black-headed plus a single Great Black-backed Gull. Ducks included Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler along with Coot and another Little Egret,

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Then it was on down to the seawall and up the steps to overlook Butts Lagoon and the hope of a Bearded Tit.  However, whilst we were looking down into one of the favoured areas, the handful of members following behind were able to draw our attention that they were actually looking at a gorgeous male Bearded Tit right in front of them!  Fortunately, friend Laura was able to get the shot that appears below.

Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus (PHOTO: Laura Croucher)

Just as we were about to move off when a Bullfinch was sighted in the dip below Fishlake Lagoon and it then moved a tree on the steps up towards the field leading back to Pennington Lane so giving all members a chance to capture a sighting of this handsome male bird. On Butts Lagoon itself a Heron plus more Coots, Tufted Ducks and a few Lapwing. On the opposite side of the seawall on the Solent itself a Great Crested Grebe plus a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers.  At this point a large Dunlin flock arrive on the distant beach.

Record shot of the distant Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Turning eastwards we started off along the seawall separating Penington Marsh from the Solent and with a single Turnstone foraging on the wall itself we also found more Great Crested Grebes plus a nearby drake Eider on the Solent. Having stopped for lunch near the "jetty" a pair of Snipe was on the meadow.  Continuing eastwards we stopped to finally confirm that we had actually found a single Slavonian Grebe before pushing on adding a Cormorant as well as more Wigeon, Redshank and Teal. rather than start our return walk along the coast we continued another few hundred yards in the hope of a closer look a the Slavonian Grebe but it was not to be.  However, whilst searching Ian did find a lone Goldeneye which I think all members got a chance to view through one of the few scopes available. And away to our left we also found a lonely Rook before I was able to direct our attention to the distant Greenshank.

Common Gull Larus canus amongst a few Brent Geese Branta bernicla

And so the return walk commenced, with a stop to admire the Rock Pipit below the bank to our right, with the first stop back at Fishlake Lagoon where whilst checking all the many resting gulls we found a handful of Lesser Black-backs amongst the many Black-headed Gulls.  As an added bonus, Amanda was also able to find me the single Common Gull on the water between a few Brent Geese. Also, so many Shelduck and then I found the sleeping Spoonbill at the very far, western, end of thee water; a bird that took so long to lift its head and so confirm his species to many others who were in doubt!

Sleeping Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Meanwhile, away in the far distance over the trees, in reply to Ian's disappointment that we had not seen a Buzzard all day, lo and behold a Buzzard being mobbed by a Raven!  A long stop to try and find the Dartford Warbler in the gorse area that we had been informed about by a passing birder coming in the opposite direction but, finally, our Laura managed to achieve a "lifer" by being the member who first saw the bird, albeit I did not.  But for me it was a case of pressing on so as to be back in car park before my ticket expired (6 hours!) yet still time to come across a female Reed Bunting on the hedgerow in front and below me, on a small pool, a Spotted Redshank to complete the local birding list.  But I did also find a Pied Wagtail as I drove through Brockenhurst and a Collared Dove aside the road as I made my through the usual Lyndhurst traffic congestion.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Water Rail, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Bearded Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.

Cormorant Phalacocorax carbo

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Brent Geese Branta bernicla

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Titchfield Haven and Canal

Saturday 1 February

A dry, dull and cloudy day with a hint of dampness but still at the Meon shore at Titchfield haven by 9am where the ide was just starting its return journey.  Just a single Great Black-backed Gull and an immature Herring Gull on the beach near the toilet block so on to the far end of the car park so that I could explore the harbour area as a Magpie passed over the road.  With the tide out just a score of Mallard plus the three Mute Swans and checking the lagoon from the observation area a dozen Shoveler along with a handful of Lapwing, Coot, Cormorant and a quartet of Gadwall.  A score or more Black-headed Gulls resting on the posts in the water and both Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon flew over.  On the far side and overlooking the fence into the reserve I could make out Wigeon and more Lapwing along with a couple of Shoveler.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Nothing else to add from the nearby road bridge so a walk through the marina car park to check the waders and birds on the southern side of the harbour.  Here I found the Brent Geese flock of about thirty individuals along with at least two score Sanderling, a handful of Ringed Plovers and a quartet of Redshank.  The over-active Turnstones, numbering at least forty, seemed happy to fly between beach and harbour depending upon how much food was being thrown into the latter by visitors.

Sanderling Calidris alba

In addition, a single Little Egret, maybe fifty Oystercatchers and hundreds of resting/feeding gulls, mainly Black-headed but also a further four Great Black-backed and a score of Herring Gulls. No need to say that always at least twenty Turnstones present.  Further out into the Solent six Eider Ducks but did not find the flock of Common Scoter that arrived five minutes previously but there was a solitary Great Crested Grebe.

By just after 10 I was back to the Titchfield Canal car park in readiness to walk to the far end of the avenue and back.  I had  thirty Rooks in the large ploughed field as I approached and up on arrival both Robin and Blue Tit quickly followed by a Blackbird and Great Tit.  A few Woodpigeons to be seen and a couple of Carrion Crows before finding the first Magpie since arriving at the shore.

Reaching the overhead wires I checked the field to my left but nothing other than resting Woodpigeons whereas the floods to my left contained scores of Black-headed along with a handful of immature Herring Gulls.  Checking out the rest of the flood southwards I soon found a number of Shoveler, Mallard and a few Gadwall plus a single Shelduck. Just the odd Coot and Moorhen but, almost at the end of the flooded area, the three resident Glossy Ibis were well exposed near a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits and a smaller number of Wigeon.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Moving on down to Posbrook Floods I soon found more Shoveler and Mallard plus many Coot and a number of Pintail.  Also present were eight Greylag Geese and a small number of Tufted Duck.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

The walk down the avenue and back from the anal bridge produced very little other than more Robins and Great Tits plus a sight of the singing Song Thrush. A quartet of Jackdaws flew up the water and a Cormorant was seen flying in the opposite direction.  The return walk produced a Heron coming in to land on the stream between the two floods and also in time to see the arrival of the three previously recorded Glossy Ibis.  A tree to the far left from the canal bridge produced a dozen Starling and a little further on a single Greenfinch atop a tall, bare tree.  Finally a trio of Canada Geese and a number of Moorhen before reaching the car park.  So ended the walk with a final morning's tally of  42 species.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Eider Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis,  Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch.

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