As we walked alongside the stream we disturbed a Greenshank that flew off in the direction of the pond. The mist hung over the pond as well, and a large flock of Black-headed Gulls dominated the proceedings, their continual calls filling the air. But every so often you could hear the call of a Mediterranean Gull, and in amongst the Black-headed Gulls were pairs of Mediterranean Gulls.
As well as gulls on the pond there was a large gathering also in th efield alongside the pond. Mostly Black-headed once again they would paddle about in the field, then all as one fly into the pond, while others went the other way. As all this went one the calls of the Black-headed continued punctuated by the less raucous brays of the Mediterranean Gulls. Other gulls present were a single Great Black-backed and a couple of Herring Gulls.
We decided to walk back to the cars, but stopped half way along the stream, as the Greenshank had returned and was standing in the stream. The still water providing the perfect background to show off the wader.
An almost perfect mirror image.
We drove around to Keyhaven car park, deciding the mist surely would have to lift at sometime. From the harbour car park we walked along the ancient highway to the lower balancing pond. Both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were singing, and a Swallow past through overhead, but the mist made it impossible to see anything on the water. We walked along the diagonal footpath, and at the point where it meets the Ancient Highway there were at least four Chiffchaffs in the trees.
Catching flies and spiders in the webs.
We walked to the Lower Pennington Lane car park, once again it was impossible to see anything on Efford Lake, then out across the old tip towards the Jetty. As we walked up the sea wall we were greeted with this view, an almost complete white out.
The metal work though looking quite impressive as it cast dark shadows across the water.
As with the Greenshank, the still conditions provided the perfect background for a Spotted Redshank feeding in the lagoon. It is just beginning to show signs of the black breeding plumage.
A Cormorant sat on a post in the middle of the lagoon, the mist all around the water.
From Oxey Marsh we headed inland, Meadow Pipits past overhead, as did a few more Swallows. On the path ahead of us a pair of Skylarks were dust bathing.
There was a few snippets of Willow Warbler song that caused us to pause around the bushes, but very little else. We walked on and decided to loop back towards the Jetty, passing around Oxey Marsh. The mist was showing no sign of lifting despite our optimism that it was getting brighter.
Another Spotted Redshank was in one of the pools close to the sea wall.
They appear a more refined bird than their cousin the Redshank.
There were also Black-tailed Godwits, almost in full brick red summer plumage.
Off shore there were two pairs of Great Crested Grebes, and as we approached the Jetty once again, the higher tide was sending more reflections of the metal work across the still water.
In Butts bay, a pair of Brent Geese were present, probably the last sighting this year until they return again in the autumn.
Fishtail was quiet, with only a few Black-headed Gulls and two pairs of Tufted Duck close in, and it was impossible to see anything at the back of the lagoon. On the saltmarsh on the other side a Redshank crawled through the eel grass.
As we approached Keyhaven Lagoon the conditions were not getting any better.
On the lagoon itself another pair of Great Crested Grebes were close in, again the still water casting reflections.
By now it was 10.30am, and despite the forecast showing clear conditions the mist was still with us. We decided on heading back to the cars,and having a cup of tea. By the time we had done this there were signs the mist was finally lifting, so we decided to head once again to the balancing pond, in the hope that we could now see across the water.
A male Reed Bunting sang in the bushes along side the reed bed.
there was no sign of the hoped for Green-winged Teal, it wasn't a case of couldn't see due to the mist, but a case of it just wasn't there! We also heard of a Pied Flycatcher that we had missed, and rather than wait to see it if it showed we made the wrong decision and walked the highway once again.
On Efford Lake the insects were everywhere, but the only gulls catching them were Black-headed, there was no sign of yesterday's Little Gulls. We decided to walk back as the sun was now out, and just before the pond we had good views of a Willow Warbler in song.
Could we now say that Spring was here?
In the bushes alongside the Willow Warbler was also a male Blackcap.
As we reached the footpath once again we were told we had missed the Pied Flycatcher, and that it had flown towards Iley Lane. We stopped to check the balancing pond once again, this time all we found of interest was a pair of Snipe.
A walk up and down Iley Lane revealed that we had once again just missed he Pied Flycatcher, but in the sunshine I was able to record my first butterfly of the year, a Peacock.
I can't recall a year when I have had to wait until the middle of April to see the first butterfly of the year, this year has like other years turned the record book upside down, but for lateness rather than early sightings.
A Buzzard overhead was the last sighting before returning to the cars for lunch.
After lunch, we took the same route as before, and saw pretty much the same as before. Walking towards Pennington we were informed once again that we had just missed the Pied Flycatcher once again, and at this point I knew we were not going to see it.
Several Peacocks passed us, and a single Green-veined White, but the photo I took was not up to scratch. As we approached the car park at lower Pennington Lane, Ian picked up both a pair of Ruff on the edge of Efford Lake, and above us a female Marsh Harrier.
We walked onto the old tip, and headed to the Jetty, as we came up the sea wall this time we were greeted with a view almost across the Solent to the isle of Wight.
The metal work was now transformed in the sunshine, the Turnstone taking advantage as the tide started to drop.
The water in the lagoons that was a steely grey earlier in the day was now a lovely deep blue. A large flock of Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the grass, but were suddenly spooked and flew up, only to settle quickly on the edge of the water.
A single Little Egret fished in the middle of the lagoon, its perfect reflection broken as it ran around and lunged into the water after its prey
Once again another lovely reflection as a Mute Swan sat on a small shingle bank in the lagoon.
The Godwits were still unsettled and continued to fly around the water.
There was an upsetting scene taking place at the back of the lagoon. A female Mallard had ducklings, and had obviously hoped the reeds would hide them, but a pair of Grey Herons had found them, and despite the attacks of the mother duck, we saw one take a small duckling.
While the drama unfolded, the cormorant that we had seen early in the mist was still sitting on its post in the middle of the lagoon.
We walked past the Jetty and scanning across the water there was a group of five Great Crested Grebes, but also a larger water bird. It dived but surfaced and we could see it was a Black-throated Diver, and unexpected find, but welcome.
It continued to dive, moving slowly away from us, so we hurried after it in an attempt to get a better view.
We left the diver heading towards Hurst Castle, and made our way back to the Ancient Highway. Another male Reed Bunting singing.
The lake was quieter, without the gulls flying around. The Ruff were still present, but little else. Chiffchaffs sang in the bushes, one showing very well.
while a Kestrel that had been hunting the marsh was settled up in a bush from where it could scan the area.
There was no sign of the flycatcher, but we walked the diagonal path one more time, and also scanned the balancing pond. Turning down Iley lane towards the harbour we came across a Comma, the third butterfly of the day.
There were a couple of Peacocks about, and the Comma would fly off to duel with them as they passed over it, returning always to the same spot on the gorse.
A little further along a white butterfly that I thought at first was a female Brimstone turned out to be another Green-veined White. This time though I was able to get an acceptable photograph.
Where the lane meets the highway there is a large patch of Blackthorn, and this has burst into blossom, and with the blue sky looked just as if spring was finally here.
It had been an interesting day, with one or two disappointments, but at the same time an enjoyable day with some lovely photographic opportunities. As I set off home I was also able to pick up the fourth butterfly of the day, a Brimstone along Lymore Lane. The forecast for the next day would take us back to winter, but there were signs of warmth and sunshine towards the end of the coming week.
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