Warsash and Solent Shores

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Sunday 17 August

A beautiful sunny start to the day so, with Derek and Barbara Etherton a walk down to the harbour and along Warsash shore to the Solent before continuing on the Scrape and returning back home to prepare for lunch. At the edge of the slipway a Black-headed Gull and a trio of Turnstone.  On top of the pile of Lobster pots over a score of House Sparrows and no sooner had we started to make our way up the narrow path to Strawberry Fields than we were overtaken by the first dozen runners taking part in Southampton's marathon.  By the time we reached the shore we had been passed by well over a hundred competitors; great fun for them but not the best place to be for birding!

On the mudflats below the path numerous Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls plus many Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits and a few more Turnstone.  A couple of Carrion Crows were also foraging and then we found our first Curlew of the morning. Around us a a trio of singing Robins and a passing Woodpigeon whilst on the shore we then found a trio of Little Egret plus the first of the Oystercatchers.

More waders on the shore beyond the navigation pier including a second Curlew and a sleeping Greenshank.  A pair of Heron were moving around the site and on the far Spit we could see a couple of resting Cormorants. Nothing on the pool behind us until we found the Collared Dove pair on the ground and above the handful of Barn Swallows.  Arriving at the Spit more Black-headed Gulls and very many Oystercatchers on the far side.  But very interesting to see a pair of Greylag Geese fly over heading south towards the Solent.

Sleeping Greenshank Tringa nebularia

At this point Barbara started her return journey as her recent hip operation would prevent her walking over the pebbles and Derek and I took a quick walk to the Scrape so that I could show him what else would be on offer for a future visit. A Pied Wagtail was on the path ahead of us and, later, we were to find three more of its family.

Arriving at the Spit we immediately recorded Avocet and mallard plus many more Black-headed Gulls and a small number of resting Canada Geese towards the back.  At least four Common Tern and on the island to our left a resting Shelduck.  However, behind the island in the corner to our right not only an Avocet family but feeding in the water behind a Glossy Ibis.  Almost certainly one of the trio that had moved on from Bridge Street Floods area in nearby Titchfield as the water there had completely disappeared.  And feeding next to the Glossy Ibis, apart from the Avocets, a pair of Shoveler.  To add to the fun, a Sparrowhawk appeared from low behind us and was immediately mobbed by the Common Tern and forced away where it came down on the tall grass away to the left.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta with Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Tome to make a hasty return home to try and catch up Barbara but not before we were able to find first a Chiffchaff and then a pair of Dunlin at the water's edge near the navigation pier.  Most enjoyable, as was the lovely roast lunch at our local "Rising Sun" opposite the harbour car park!

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus with feeding Shoveler Anas clypeata

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Goldfinch

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.  

Pennington Marsh

Saturday 16 August

With friends Derek and Barbara Etherton staying the week-end following the end of their Greenland cruise before returning to Spain, naturally time would be found for a little birding.  So early afternoon, accompanied by Jenny, the four of us were at Pennington Marshes and parked up at the lend of Lower Pennington Lane.  No sooner through the gate than a total of six Dunnocks on the green track in front of us as we headed for Fishtail Lagoon.  A pair of Mallards and a Black-headed Gull flew over and then both above and off to our right many Canada Geese.

An almost dry Fishtail Lagoon

Stopping for a light snack on the bench overlooking, the now very dry with just a small pool of water, Fishtail Lagoon we could see the scores of Canada Geese and Herring Gulls but also a handful of Great Black-backed Gulls off to their right.  Meanwhile, as we switched our attention to the remaining water to our left, we noted the occasional Goldfinch and Linnet passing through the bushes below. Once down alongside the canal before climbing the steps to the seawall we had a juvenile Moorhen on the edges.  Just  few Oystercatchers to be seen but a couple of Ringed Plover and a Pied Wagtail at the water's edge.

From the seawall we could see distant Cormorants and many Oystercatchers on the exposed muddy banks to off shore to the right but passing Butts lagoon all looked completely empty until on the far side nest to a single Black-headed Gull we found a feeding Snipe at the edge of the reeds.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Stopping at the seat before turning left we were checking the Cormorants, etc when we found a single Eider on the open water between us.

Eider Somateria mollissima

Moving on we came to the just about bone dry adjacent first pool of Pennington Lagoon.  We found a couple of Dunlin but not before finding more and more Ringed Plover taking the final total to a dozen. As we turned to take the track back towards the car a small number of Barn Swallows above and then checking behind a bush Derek found a Whitethroat.  Both Magpie and Woodpigeons in the field beyond to our right. Approaching the end of the track a calling Chiffchaff in the nearby hedge.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

With Jenny having disappeared to collect some very ripe blackberries, the three of us took the short walk down the lane to see what could be seen through the trees on the fresh water lake at the former Efford Landfill site.  Black-headed Gulls and a few Coot but also a single Little Grebe. In the trees between us a dozen feeding Goldfinches.

Time to head back to Warsash and as passed through Lymington both a pair of Collared Doves and a number of Jackdaws.  Then, on the M27 towards Junction 2 a Buzzard flew across the motorway.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Eider, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Snipe, Whimbrel, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Linnet.

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.  

Titchfield Haven and Canal

Thursday 14 August

Just after 9 I was at the Solent shore in Hill Head (Titchfield Haven) with at least six hours before full tide.  A few Herring and Black-headed Gulls on the wide and empty shore along with a few Oystercatchers and two Sandwich Terns, the latter departing almost immediately.  However, still a trio of Common Terns on the shore.  Looking at the shore in front of the mouth of the River Meon I also added both a Little Egret and a dozen Redshank. A couple of Carrion Crows were also noted.

Juvenile Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Making my way to the viewing point overlooking the Haven's lagoon I soon added a resting Cormorant and lapwing plus a number of Mallards and a single Gadwall.  A Heron moved across from the edges to the island and so revealed the Little Grebe.  At the far end of the water a single Moorhen and looking across to the reserve's hide I saw a short flight of six Canada Geese.  However, pride of place to the male Goosander in eclipse plumage.  In the harbour itself two score Mallard plus many Coots and a pair of Mute Swans.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Leaving the area at 10 I drove back to take a walk along Titchfield canal. Arriving at 10.15 it was still breezy but bright sunshine and very warm.  I did not expect to find the site without water with just dry, grassy areas where normally both Bridge Street and Posbrook Floods would have been filled with water and abundant water birds. Greenfinch, Woodpigeon and Magpie as I set off down the path but very little to be seen.  Reaching the avenue and looking over what had previously been Posbrook Flood, a large mix of mainly House Martins accompanied by both Barn Swallows and Sand Martins feeding low over the grass.

At the far end of the avenue as I started back I quickly recorded Wren, Robin and Nuthatch and then stopped to watch the feeding frenzy of a dozen Long-tailed Tits.  Both Blue Tit and Jackdaw were added to give a very disappointing twelve species but a total of 31 for the morning in very short time.

Male Goosander Mergus merganser

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Goosander, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch.

 For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world. 

Warsash and Solent Shore

Wednesday 13 August

A still, cloudy morning but not cold and ideal for birding, especially as it seemed to have kept many of the dog-walkers away from the coast. With low tide at 8.30 I was away by 11 o'clock to walk along Warsash shore past the Spit and on down past the Meandering Pool before starting on the return walk.  Certainly a most pleasant and rewarding time with some unexpected observations.  No sooner had I reached the harbour than my first Woodpigeon and a few Black-headed Gulls along with a Heron. More Black-tailed Godwits, a couple of Collared Doves and a Carrion Crow and I had arrived at the maritime pier.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Once a the pier chance to survey the water in front of me and note more Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and Little Egrets.  A Heron was near the water's edge and a second over towards the Spit. Continuing on round to the Spit itself, more of the same including both Black-headed and Herring Gulls.  Then, relatively close, a couple of Greenshank.  Also present a few Mallard and then a dozen Starlings flew over.  In the Spit inlet a couple of Curlew.  Whereas I had already noted about a dozen Oystercatchers in the are, looking at the far side of the Spit from the Solent shore I could see a flock of at least forty more.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

What I did notice from afar were three Sandwich Terns resting on the very end of the Spit and once I reached the Solent shore a fourth was making its way north flying low and close to the shore to, presumably, join the above trio.

Distant resting Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

On down to the Scrape and fewer birds than I had expected; no doubt, most out n the mudflats busily feeding up.  Just the single Moorhen but at least 7 Avocet and a the same number of Canada Geese just before the latter took their departure.  Four more Little Egrets and a couple of Common Tern were also noted.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

In the immediate bushes around the seating area in front of the Scrape at least a couple of Whitethroat and a quartet or more Stonechats.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Between here and the Meandering Pool I immediately picked up a couple of Wheatear with  third as I approached the gorse area.  This, latter, area also provided more Stonechats and Whitethroats.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Stopping a little way beyond the Meandering Pool I was able to pick out the small flock of resting Mediterranean Gulls below the wall on the beach at the bottom of the path down from Workmans Lane, albeit I only managed to find 23 of the reported two dozen.

Very distant Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus

Time to head on back to Warsash which produced a small flock of House Sparrows and near Spit a lone Cormorant.  At the water's edge below Strawberry Fields a lone Common Sandpiper amongst the Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits and then a dozen Turnstone. All in all, a most enjoyable couple of hours or more.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Stonechat, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

Juvenile Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

 For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world. 

Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Tuesday 12 August

Another hot day to follow so left home early but delayed by traffic works on M27 so did not arrive at Fishlake Meadows, Romsey until just after 8.30.  Fortunately, lots of shade from the full-leaf trees but little to see initially.  A Blackbird before the first seat plus the first of many Woodpigeons but, almost immediately, a single Bullfinch on my left as I walked down the canal path.  Overhead a Black-headed Gull and in the distance, on and over the lakes, a pair of Mute Swans followed by a resting Great White Egret on the tree platform, that then moved on when joined by its namesake.  A third Great White Egret was also found when I finally arrived a the screens overlooking the water. A Common Tern came into view at the same time.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Moving on a couple of Dunnock on the path in front of me and in a tall tree to my left a pair of Carrion Crows along with more Woodpigeon. With a Robin to my right and a Magpie behind me I carried on down to the gate to take the path towards the entry gate for reaching the screens.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

However, apart from another Robin on the ground of the track the other side of the canal bridge, I paused to watch the well-grown juvenile Wren taking a leisurely, but active, dust bath on the track a few metres ahead.  Fascinating to watch.  Both Blue and Great Tits were seen and another Robin on the rails to my left.  No sooner had I moved on when I stopped to study the pair of Reed Buntings on the path a little ahead of me.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

But the best was still to come as almost opposite the Reed Buntings I was able to watch a handful of what looked like juvenile Willow Warblers with at least one parent busy feeding in the trees to my right.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Next it was on to the screen overlooking the water where I found the third Great White Egret along with a quartet of Greylag Geese and a pair of Mallard. A singe Common Tern flew around before settling and then I made my way back towards the car park noting the the Willow Warblers were still active, the Wren was back for more dust bathing and another Dunnock on the canal path.  Off to my left the first Chiffchaff recorded during the morning.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Rather than straight to the car I carried on under the road bridge and along the road to visit the watch point over the water.  A number of resting Lesser black-backed Gulls along with a trio of Great Crested Grebes before finding a resting Canada alongside a pair of Egyptian Geese.  A third Egyptian Goose was swimming mid-water near a pair of Coot.  Right at the back I found the handful of eclipse Tufted Ducks and as I collapsed the scope a Grey Heron flew in to rest on one of the submerged trees.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Making my way back to the town a Jackdaw on a roof top and then a Red Kite flew across the main road in front of me before I reached the motorway.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Great White Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Juvenile Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus

The dust-bathing Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world. 

Hamble River

Sunday 10 August

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Back across the road to the Hamble river once more in beautiful, warm, sunny weather and the tide mid-way in so far more birds feeding on the shore and flooding meadow. No Knot this morning but replaced by both a resting Cormorant and a Great Black-backed Gull.  Around 24 Black-headed and a dozen Herring Gulls on show.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

The walk up river to the conservation area and back produce four Little Egrets and thee Turnstones.  However, lots of feeding Black-tailed Godwits and the expected Redshanks.  Lovely to come across the five distant Ringed Plovers on the shore line and, of course, regular sightings of Curlew plus a couple of Whimbrel, one on the shore and the other on the about-to-be flooded Bunny Meadow.

Distant record shot of Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

In the gardens at the back of the meadow a trio of magpie and the neighbour hosting a quartet of Canada Geese.  Just the two Carrion Crow but a handful of Woodpigeon.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon. Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Curlew Numenius arquata

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Redshank Tringa totanus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.