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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Warsash and Solent Shore

Saturday 10 August

Out just after 10 to walk along the Warsash shore and on down to the Solent.  Still a good breeze but dry and cloudy albeit warming up by the time I was making my return walk back to Warsash.  As soon as on the shore a number of both Black-headed Gulls and Black-tailed Godwits along with a few Redshank, a pair of Oystercatchers and a sole Curlew.  Eight Carrion Crows were foraging on the beach and, approaching the School of Navigation pier the first Little Egret of the morning and a distant Heron.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Once beyond the pier scores of feeding Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of Herring Gulls.  Then it was on the Solent and the mudflats beyond the Spit held in excess of an hundred Oystercatchers with more flying in  as the tide gradually started its return journey.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Reaching the Scrape I found 17 Canada Geese and 15 Avocets along with both a Little Grebe and a moulting Shelduck.  Still a number of Black-headed Gulls about and a few Mallards before I not only found a couple of Moorhen but also a very distant Common Sandpiper on the narrow wooden ledge near the gathered Canada Geese.  And as I was about to move on the disturbance above proved to be a Common Tern being mobbed by another Black-headed Gull.  Continuing on down towards the Meandering Pool a Linnet was posed atop a bramble bush and, passing through the gorse area, not only more Linnets but also a quartet of Greenfinch.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Just  handful of Black-tailed Godwits on the meandering pool and making my way back I came across a male Stonechat in the gorse field.  Approaching the Spit a couple of House Sparrows and then a Pied Wagtail.  Looking across to the Spit not only had eight Little Egrets come to rest alongside a Heron but also a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls.  Five Woodpigeon near the pier and then a hovering Kestrel as I approached Strawberry Fields giving a final total of 26 species for the couple of hours.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Curlew, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

And the "mystery bird" would appear to be confirmed as a Knot!

Mystery wader - please help

Smaller then a Redshank but almost the front colouring of a summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit.  Mixing with both at water's edge. (Approximate 150 metres away)

Scrape island with resting Avocets, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls

Canada Geese Branta canadensis

Distant Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (left of geese)

Gathering of the Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

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New Forest Birding

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Friday 9 August

Collecting friend Richard Osman from Park Gate we were down on the Solent coast below Lymington by 9.30 to take a walk around Normandy Lagoon.  yesterday's very strong winds had abated somewhat and the sun was doing a vallient job in trying to warm up the area as we approached the seawall having already noted both Woodpigeon and a number of Black-headed Gulls.  With the tide out we quickly found our first Little Egret, a dozen Curlew and even more Redshank feeding on the mud along with a handful of Mallard and a dozen departing Dunlin before turning our attention to the lagoon itself which held a number of Canada Geese, Greenshank and a single Great Crested Grebe.

Feeding Curlews Numenius arquata

having moved further along the seawall to get the sun behind us whilst checking the back of the lagoon, we soon added a trio of Cormorant, Heron, Shelduck and even a lone Magpie.  Further on and round the corner we then found a number of Oystercatchers, with even more on the banks on the sea side of the path across the mud flats, plus more Redshank.  A Whitethroat posed for a few moments atop one of the bushes on the seawall and then we picked up both Black-tailed Godwit and a single Little Grebe.  At the far end of the seawall parallel to the coast and on the Avocet and Lapwing breeding territory we came across a half-dozen Pied Wagtail.  On an island in the fast filling Solent to our right a dozen feeding Curlew along with a pair of both Ringed Plover and Dunlin, the latter still with their black chests.  Starting our return walk towards the sailing club and Acre Pond, a handful of House Sparrows descended upon some brambles to fed on the blackberries and approaching Acre Pond a trio of carrion Crows in a garden on our left as splendid male Greenfinch rested on a nearby bush.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Finally, taking the road back to the car, we came across both Blackbird and Blue Tit.  Then it was the relative short drive round the corner to Lower Pennington lane to park at the far end for a refreshing coffee before setting on on a clockwise circuit of the nearby Pennington Marsh lakes.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Moving along towards the seawall we immediately recorded both Woodpigeon and Magpie and as we approached the Shoveler Pools a charm of forty Goldfinches feeding nearby.  All around us regular sightings of Black-headed Gulls and once we reached the narrow lagoon on the right a first sight of the very many Canada Geese and Black-tailed Godwits.  At the far back both a Heron and Little Egret whilst nearer to the front a good number of Coot and a pair of Mute Swans with their three well-grown cygnets.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa with a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Time to take a left turn at the sea wall and follow the path for a couple of hundred metres to check out the narrow lagoon below us.  A pair of Oystercatchers and a small number of Redshank before more Black-tailed Godwits and another two Little Egrets before returning to the turn but carrying on towards Butts Lagoon.  As we passed the remains of the metal sheets in the water a lone resting Turnstone whereas the concrete building at the end of the "pier" contained 18 resting Turnstone making use of the shade.  Similarly, moving past the first lagoon another dozen Turnstone working the water line whereas the back of the lagoon held a number of Mallard, a couple of Lapwing and more Little Egret close to the massed Black-tailed Godwits.  Butts Lagoon itself was relatively quiet save for the dozen or so Coot.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Checking Fishtail Lagoon we found very many resting Black-headed plus a couple of Herring Gulls. More Little Egrets along with a single Curlew and a Greenshank before heading back along the grass towards the car. A Linnet was busy preening itself (see photos below) and over the now muddy section we came across a passing Lesser Black-backed Gull and Cormorant.  The visiting Common Sandpiper was also found plus both a Moorhen and Pied Wagtail.  Finally, a handful of Starling were seen in the bushes to our right and then a single Wren before reaching our destination.

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

The preening Linnet

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Little Egrets Egretta garzetta

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

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Farlington Marshes

Wednesday 7 August 

A pleasant, warm start to the day but upon reaching Farlington Marshes just after 9 I discovered that there was a rather keen westerly breeze blowing in.  Not top worry as I set off to complete and anti-clockwise circuit of the reserve including the usual diversion on the return walk to take me through the meadow back up to the entrance track almost at the viewing point.  Good job I did as I managed to find both one of the visiting Greenshank and a Whimbrel to add to the dozen Curlew previously seen.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Woodpigeon and Greenfinch recorded before reaching the seawall and then, looking out over the mud flats at low tide, lots of Black-headed and a handful of Herring Gulls.  Also present a handful of Curlew and a single Redshank.  As I approached the viewing point overlooking the "lake" a Kestrel was hovering above the path in front of me and once a the seats over thirty Black-tailed Godwits feeding at the water's edge along with a few Redshank, a trio of Cormorant and a couple of lapwing.  Scoping the area, I soon added a number of Coot along with a single Great Crested Grebe before finding the distant flock of 80 plus Dunlin.  Close to the Dunlins at least four Lapwing.  Meanwhile, a party of approximately 50 Starling seen flying over the  trees I had just passed through and, hiding in the reeds on the far side of the lake, my first of four Herons recorded during the morning.  At this point I also picked up the Buzzard resting on the fence post beyond the reeds.  Somewhat strange to find a nearby Magpie but beyond the Buzzard a score of resting Canada Geese on the open meadow.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

As I moved on and round the first corner a Little Egret flew in towards the water and then, up ahead on the wall, a Carrion Crow.  No sooner had I reached this point than I noticed three more Carrion Crows in the meadow to the left.  Two more Heron were added as I continued on and, finally, my first Oystercatcher of the morning along with yet more Curlew.  Arriving a the southernmost point of the wall as I turned inland I happened on the very distant Grey Plover out at the water's edge and, even at this distance, could see the handsome summer plumage.

Very distant record shot of Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Moving on towards the Deeps a couple of Barn Swallows flew across but nothing to record on the relatively new creation other than a lone Black-headed Gull. Away in the background just beyond the handful of beasts, a group of seven Little Egrets and, a little later on, I was to find two more groups of five individuals as well as the occasional other odd Little Egret.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Approaching the lagoon near the "Visitors Centre" I stopped to admire the small number of feeding butterflies, mainly Common Blues and Gatekeepers.  A flock of approximately twenty Barn Swallows was feeding over the field next to the reeds left of the above VC and once at the seats and resting to check out the wildfowl, I also heard and saw both Reed Warbler and a couple of Bearded Tits.  On the water itself at least a score of Mallard along with a pair of Gadwall and two well-grown juvenile Shelduck. Three more Heron were recorded at this site and, retuning to the water, perhaps a score of Coot plus a couple of Little Grebe.  But not a single Moorhen seen.

Juvenile Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Time to return to the car but taking the path trough the meadow back towards the viewing point as previously stated.  Lots more Coot and, especially, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls plus two more Little Grebe.  Once back up on the seawall track, a second search of the lake produced a single Greenshank whilst on that little mud left exposed produced the single whimbrel to be seen during the morning.  Finally, whilst putting everything away in readiness to depart a pair of Raven flew over car.  Good way to end the morning's session.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Reed Warbler, Bearded Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Greenfinch.

Common Blue Polyommatus icarus butterfly

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus butterfly

Little Egrets Egretta garzetta with
  Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Little Egret E.garzetta (front) with Coot Fulica atra and juvenile Shelduck T.tadorna

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New Forest Birding

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea with 2 Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegypytiaca

Sunday 4 August

Another very pleasant day so off early to join the HOS meeting at Appleshade Wood, Linwood in the New Forest.  But, first, a fifteen minute stop at Eyeworth Pond on the way where I found 12 Mallard on the water and a small mix of Marsh, Blue and Great Tits along with a few House Sparrows and Chaffinches.  A moulting Robin put in an appearance as did both Nuthatch and Moorhen.  Approaching the pond I also recorded Woodpigeon, Magpie, Starling and Collared Dove.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

So on to the car park at Appleshade Wood where I was in time to join the other twelve members of HOS led by local birder and fellow member, Tina Vaughan as we walked a clockwise circuit of just on three miles. As we set off we all heard/saw the Jay and other members heard both Goldcrest and Nuthatch.   An early stop to check the forest trees produced a couple of Long-tailed and a Great Tit plus a departing Blackbird.  These were quickly followed by our first Tree-creeper.

Continuing on we added woodpigeon, and Robin along with a couple of Chaffinches plus another Tree-creeper.  Two Spotted Flycatchers were a great sighting and at just about the highest point on the walk we came across a trio of Meadow Pipits.   At this point we also saw a pair of circling Buzzards to add to the earlier brief sighting of an individual raptor. 

Buzzard Buteo buteo

A couple of Song Thrushes were seen by all and a few heard both Stock Dove and Nuthatch. Another short stop also produced a few Blue Tit along with another Tree-creeper. I think most heard the short drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a few of us also noted the pair of Goldfinch. For me, the bird of the walk was the Grey Wagtail that visited the small pond for less than a minute but, I think, seen by most members if not all.  In addition, I think Tina had also recorded the calls of both a Wren and a Stock Dove to give a total of just over 20 species for the walk which was most enjoyable in delightful company and offering magnificent vistas over the nearby New Forest.

Having completed our walk by noon, being so close I drove onto Blashford Lakes arriving fifteen minutes later and able to spend ninety minutes checking out the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water and the three hides on the man reserve itself. No sooner inside the Tern Hide and I was greeted by scores, possibly a hundred even, of Egyptian Geese along with nineteen Mute Swans. Also on the water a large number of Herring and a handful of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. In addition, many Coots to be seen.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Ruddy Shelduck and Egyptian Geese resting on the small island

Along with the Egyptian Geese on the water a I found a trio of Greylag and a similar number of Canada Geese.  Also a number of Great Crested Grebes including youngsters still in the "humbug" stage of their first moult. Five Tufted Duck were also noted. On the nearby island shore and in front of the hide bot a Pied Wagtail and a couple of Lapwing.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Then, revisiting the small island to take a closer look at the "strange" small goose, I realised I was looking at a Ruddy Shelduck.  The bird spent much time preening but did lift its head occasionally and finally moved out onto the water.  Also on the island a pair of well-grown chicks from the parent Common Terns that were keeping a close eye on their off-spring.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Time to move across the road and very little noted at the South Ivy Hide but walking to the hide from the first car park I did record a Jay and then a Garden Warbler foraging in a tree as I approached the hide. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming to my right and on the way to the Woodland Hide both Woodpigeon and Blackbird were noted.

Once inside the hide very little activity other than the frequent visits to the feeders by both the small number of Blue and Great Tits. Just the one Dunnock seen and only a trio of Chaffinches.

So onto the South Ivy Hide which, again, produced very little . A handful of Black-headed Gulls and at least a quartet of fishing Common Terns.  However, the Cormorant nest atop the trees to the left now contained three well-grown youngsters as well as the watchful parents.

The Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo family at nest

Making my way back towards the car I found a Robin quickly followed by a very songful Blackcap.  Near the main reception, as well as Blue and Great Tits a Nuthatch was making full use of the feeder. Finally, walking along the narrow path to my car I cam across a very active and noisy Willow Warbler.

Moulting Robin Erithacus rubecula

Having returned home, I was most surprised on updating my records to discover that I had actually seen 43 species during the morning.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Tree-creeper, Jay, Magpie, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Coot Fulica atra

Ruddy Shelduck and Egyptian Geese

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Mute Swans Cygnus olor with both Egyptian Goose and Greylag Goose Anser anser

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