Turtle Dove

Another visit to Pagham Harbour, mainly for a reported Curlew Sandpiper and the chance to see the very obliging Turtle Dove at the visitor centre. We kicked off at the North Wall with an adult plumaged Yellow-legged Gull out on the mud, accompanied by what might have been a 3cy bird. In the creek we found plenty of Redshanks, Black- tailed Godwits and some early returning Teal and Wigeon. Further out lots of Pintail cruising up and down but unfortunately no sign of any Curlew Sands.

Nice to see a few birds on Breech Pool; whilst we were scanning the birds four noisy Greenshanks arrived for their daily bath. Hidden amongst a fair number of Black-tailed Godwits were three Spotted Redshanks, fast asleep and trying to remain inconspicuous. As the tide advanced the creek emptied and we failed to find our target. Whilst the water levels in the pool have dropped slightly I guess it is still too deep for the smaller waders like Dunlin and Sandpipers.

Finally on round to the Visitor Centre where the juvenile Turtle Dove was out on display and waiting for us.

 

A New Year's Birding Begins

The first birding day of the New Year is always different. For those of you who don't keep lists then this will be a bit baffling. Today was a day when the slate was wiped clean, each bird stands equal amongst others as it has not yet attained "year tick" status. The rare Lesser Yellowlegs that we were seeking at Lepe Country Park was on a par with the Song Thrush that we noted on the path to Stansore Point. Eagerly we logged Chaffinch, Greenshank and Redshank before spotting the obliging Lesser Yellowlegs. Even the Dunnock and Green Woodpecker were welcome attractions, birds that in the forthcoming months will be more or less ignored whilst we search for more exotic specimens. Back at the car park three Pied Wagtails ensured that we had reached double figures, disappointingly the sea was empty.

A short drive along the flooded coast road, stopping to view the Dark Water gave us Oystercatcher, Teal and Wigeon. A flyby of Shoveler and Greylag, the list was ever increasing

After a while we came to a fork in the road, which way? Martin chose Inchmery Lane and we made for Exbury House - an excellent decision. As we drove along what is the entrance to the Beaulieu River we could see, through the trees and into the sun, that there were lots of birds out on the mud. We parked next to the spot where the Exbury River enters the main river, in the stream a Little Egret and then totally out of the blue a Long-tailed Duck which remained close enough for a decent shot.

 

What - no rain??

 As we returned to Lepe, we noted a Buzzard being mobbed by Crows, a flock of Redwings and another Buzzard, an extremely pale breasted specimen, sat out in the warm morning sun. The list was growing. Where next?  A short detour to Hythe Marina where A Great Northern Diver had been reported, alas nothing but two Mute Swans and a House Sparrow - Tick - Tick!!


Next was a visit to Hill Head just along from Titchfield Haven where some friendly birders conned us on to two Velvet Scoter. Nothing to be seen of the Kittiwakes that had been frequenting the surf line just before we arrived. As we left, the Mallard flock on the creek provided an addition to the list. The Yellow-legged Gull that inhabits Stokes Bay had gone missing, probably due to the amount of walkers both human and canine using the beach. So, as planned, we ended up at Walpole Park to record "Waldo" the Ring-billed Gull, exactly a year and one day since I had last snapped him. Several Common Gulls had us fooled for a time but finally he arrived at his favourite location by the pond. His glinting yellow eye and more "menacing" demeanour clinching the tick. Apparently this is Waldo's eleventh winter spent in Gosport where he is always welcome.

"Waldo"

  

 

 

 

A Common Gull - not the same class as Waldo

 So at 12:30 on our first day out there was a quiet satisfaction of a good day already in the bag. There could be only one venue to spend the afternoon - the North Wall at Pagham - no brainer.  On the wall we were given New Year greetings  from the two Daves who gave us a list of birds present and then happily told us that the Little Owl had disappeared some time earlier. Never mind, the recent heavy rain had flooded the fields to the north and the birds were taking advantage of the available food. Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Lapwings and wildfowl in abundance. It took some time but I finally located the single Ruff and a flyby of a Common Snipe was well received.

Then Dave Shepherd received a call from Ian informing him that two Whooper Swans were on Ivy Lake at Chichester Gravel Pits - a nod is as good as wink to a blind man and off we went. On arrival, before we located the Whoopers, we added Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, and for Martin, a confirmatory Shoveler as he had missed the earlier flyby. Then as the light faded we found and recorded the Whoopers. Finally, thanks to Andrew House, we added Pochard to the list.  A great day out with the final tally being 67 species, 66 seen and one heard, well what more do you want of the Cetti's Warbler.

Oddly enough the small birds are missing from the list, whether we weren't looking or it may be that the westerly breeze had deterred them from venturing forth, finches and tits were notably absent.

 

 

 

 

House Martins

A bit of a slow day at Rye Harbour, Ternery Pool gave only a single Greenshank and a handful of Mallards. An adult Little Grebe was feeding two juveniles with Sticklebacks, although the youngsters were of a size where they could feed themselves, nothing better than an easy meal.

 

Quarry held even less so I decided to take an almighty walk to Castle Water. When I arrived at the barns things changed somewhat. The bushes were alive with hordes of Chiffchaffs and the air was filled with House Martins on a feeding frenzy over the Long Pit, I estimated 300+ but it could easily have been 500, they were everywhere. I patiently waited and finally some birds began to settle on the overhead wires, probably 30-40 maximum but enough to get some shots. Then 10 minutes later, tired of sitting, they were off. I continued to Castle Water but it was very quiet so I turned round and headed back for Ternery Pool. By the time I had reached Long Pit again most of the birds had gone. Oddly enough I remarked to a fellow birder that I had seen few House Martins this year, well this certainly made up for it.

 

It must have been quiet for this chap to have his photo taken.

Pagham Harbour

The early morning weather wasn't too bad, the sun even shone for about half an hour. However, the looming clouds on the horizon were an indication of what was to come. I started at Church Norton at about 0630 full of hope for something to raise the pulse. The churchyard and immediate  surroundings yielded very little so I set off for the Severals. On the way I came across a fairly obliging Greenshank, perhaps obliging is not quite the correct term, I really don't think he wanted to move much as he appeared to be moulting quite well, in fact he looked fairly scruffy as Greenshanks go. Next up were a pair of Roe Deer who posed well in the low but brief sunshine which accentuated the colour of their coats. A brisk south westerly was getting up and few small birds were flying so I took a slow walk back to the car park.




Scruffyshank

Next stop was Ferry Pool, Andrew House had posted on SOS that it was busy with waders and so it proved. Nice to see 4 Avocets who seemed to want to keep out of the breeze by sheltering behind the tussocks of marsh grass. Several Common Sandpipers, Lapwings, Redhanks, a single Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwits and plenty of ducks hunkered down in the bankside grass.

Ferry Pool Greenshank

Common Sandpiper