It starts to get light around 7.00 am, and as I drove along Lower Pennington Lane I could just about see across the marsh. A rather dumpy bird flew with strong wing beats alongside me heading east, bit it was impossible to make it out. It could have been an owl, but I lost it as it headed across the old tip towards Fishtail. As i waited for Ian I could hear the calls of Brent and Canada Geese in the fields and on Efford Lake. The odd single Little Egret flew across, but there were not the large numbers coming out of the roost that you would usually see at this time of year.
We set off down the path towards the Jetty, we were heading to Normandy Marsh, a Twite has been seen there with Goldfinches and Linnets. We did so with an open mind, it was going to be easy to find. It was gloomy looking across the marsh, Blackbirds and Robins could be seen on the path, and in the windswept bushes on Pennington Marsh two Crows sat at the top of the bush calling.
Coming up onto the sea wall there was a very strong easterly wind, it was high tide and the wind was splashing the waves over the jetty. Out on the water Cormorants teased as they headed west, and the Black-headed Gulls followed close along the sea wall, battling into the wind. We stopped for a while to watch the sea but despite the conditions there was little moving.
We set off into a very fresh easterly wind, I was grateful I had changed my hat for the thicker one. Rather than take shelter and head inland we stuck to the sea wall in the hope that there might be something on the sea, but this was to be unfounded.
As we crossed Moses Dock we saw a pair of Spotted Redshanks feeding close to the edge, out of the wind. The two were synchronised in their behavior, up ending in perfect harmony as they moved quickly through the water. The sun was starting to break through some weak cloud and this added a hint of gold to the water.
The redshanks started to move away from us as we approached, but they were caught between avoiding us, or keeping out of the fresh wind, and in the end it was shelter that won through and they moved cautiously back towards us.
Not the best of conditions for in sharp pictures but it was very nice to be able to get close to these very elegant waders.
We walked on, Lapwing and Redshank flying in to feed on the exposed mud in the bay opposite the sailing club. As we turned the corner to approach Normandy Marsh, a Great Crested Grebe was in the water close to the shore. It immediately dived but surfaced again in amongst the soft buff coloured water.
Normandy Marsh was busier than some of the other lagoons we had passed, there was a sizeable number of Brent Geese and other ducks tucked away behind the islands looking to get out of the wind. We made our way to the south east corner where the Twite had been seen last. As we approached it seemed like there were no birds present, but dropping down from the sea wall and out of the wind we picked up a good sized flock of Goldfinches feeding amongst the vegetation. Every so often they would fly, flashing the yellow wing bars and filling the air with their tinkling calls.
We were though hoping to find some Linnet, and at first we couldn't find any, but after a short while we picked up a group of five birds a distance away feeding on the ground. Slowly they moved towards us, and one bird stood out from the others, but it was very difficult to get a clear view. Every so often the would fly up and join the Goldfinches, fly around and then drop back down. Finally we were able to get a clear view and it was clear that they all were Linnets. Finally they flew off, and to confirm further they all called like Linnets.
A pair of Stonechats were present all the time we were scanning through the finches, ad they seemed a little upset we were not focusing on them!
Patience is something birders should have, and I think I have some, but I draw the line at to intense searches or waits. Fortunately Ian is the same, and we soon realised that this was a hopeless search. As a result we decided to move on, and made our way back around the marsh. Stopping for another Stonechat, this time a male on the fence.
On reaching the south western corner of the marsh three Avocet flew in, and across the open water before settling on the far side of the water.
The tide now was falling, and as a consequence the waders were starting to move. Exposed mud brought the Dunlin in close, there busy frantic feeding taking priority over our presence watching them.
Brent were also close in, this adult busily flapping its wings as it moved across the mud.
Back at Moses Dock, the Spotted Redshanks had now stopped their feeding and were settled on a shallower part of the pond.
It was a well earned rest from the energetic feeding behaviour they were engaged in earlier, and time for a preen.
Walking down to get at eye level with the Spotted Redshanks a small group of Brent geese flew over.
Walking on we found another pair of Spotted Redshanks at the far end of the lagoon. It was difficult to tell if they were standing or swimming in the water, as they were crouched quite low.
But from this view I would say they were standing.
Despite the fact the sun had been up for almost two hours there was still a hint of colour in the sky. A small group of Pintail flew east past us, and against the pinkish sky.
With the tide falling the mud became exposed on the spit that emerges just off Oxey Marsh and the waders continued to gather. A flock of about 70 plus Knot were spooked and took off around the exposed mud before settling once more.
We walked out along the spit where Oystercatchers and a few Grey Plover were flushed. Out on the end of the spit Ian picked up a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits.
The Knot gathered together on the shingle bank.
We carried on to Butts, where despite the time there was still quite a bit of water in the bay, Dunlin fed on the edge of the mud, and a single Ringed Plover was close to the sea wall.
Rather than continue the walk around Keyhaven we headed back to the cars for a cup of tea. We decided though to walk back in the same direction from the car park, keeping the fresh wind on our backs. At the corner of Fishtail Lagoon a small group of Wigeon were on the bank. This drake shows how lovely the adult plumage is, and it is nice to see them now in their full breeding plumage.
Fishtail, in comparison with the other lagoons, was very busy with duck at the back of the lagoon, Brent and Shoveler around the island,
With the constant movement of duck overhead and flying in from the marshes.
Brent Geese
Shelduck
And Pintail, this drake dropping in.
Using the feet as air brakes as it picks its landing site
Followed by the a windmilling of the wings to create a down draught to slow the descent, which made the landing look a little chaotic.
But finally all was well and the Pintail regained its elegance and calm.
Unusually there were a number of Pintail close to the sea wall, and most of them being males. The males were displaying and only a few appeared to be paired up.
Even where they were paired, other males would wander up or leave the duck to challenge the other drakes.
The drakes gathering together, bobbing and extending their necks as they pushed their way towards the one available female.
Absolutely superb ducks.
We moved on, climbing up onto the sea wall. As we approached Keyhaven there was a Greenshank feeding in one of the channels on the sea side. The sun was in the wrong position so we dropped down behind the sea wall to get ahead of the Greenshank with the sun behind. As we scrambled up the sea wall at a point we considered to be the best position we flushed two Redshanks and they flew off across the mud with their annoying calls. Fortunately the Greenshank stayed put, and I was able to get a nice shot.
There was little else on the walk around Keyhaven. The lagoon held a few Shelduck, and a small group of Wigeon but little else. As we appraoched the harbour we finally found the missing Black-tailed Godwits. We had remarked how the large flocks were missing, and that we had only seen single or pairs of birds. But a large flock were feeding in the shallow water in the harbour.
We walked to the observatory, only to find it was an open morning, so we stood on the deck and scanned the reeds. A male Marsh Harrier was harassing a group of Coot on the water, hovering and dipping down over the top of the Coot.
It gave up after awhile, and gained height and actually drifted towards us.
We had hoped for Kingfisher but there was no sound or sight of one. House Sparrows and Robins fed around the feeders, and a male Pheasant put in an appearance. A Jay flew up into the trees close by, with an acorn in its bill once again.
The Marsh Harrier then returned.
The male dropped into the reeds, and a little later there was a female hunting at the far side of the reeds well off in the distance.
We left the Observatory, and walked through the car park in the direction of the Cut Bridge. The skies were now clear, and the light gorgeous when you were able to get in the right position. A Curlew was standing on the mud, silhouetted by the bright sunshine.
We walked as far as the point where the footpath reaches the road. Looking across the fields there were two Roe Deer by the side of the hedge, and in the bushes close to the path several Reed Bunting, one or two coming to the top to sit in the sunshine.
Ian had to leave early so we turned around and headed back to the car park along the Ancient Highway. The walk was devoid of any bird life until we reached Efford Lake where there were Gadwall and Tufted Duck, new for the day list.
I was in two minds where to go for the afternoon, should I stay or should I go? I decided to stay and walked back towards the Jetty. Once again there were Crows calling from the bushes, and it was chance to experiment with black and white images once again.
At the Jetty the tide was finally low, with plenty of mud exposed. Waders fed close in, and the challenge was to get them highlighted by the low, golden sunshine. The reddish orange of this Oystercatcher's bill and eye seemingly enhanced by the sunlight.
I sat still below the sea wall and waited to see if they would come any closer. The Knot were still present on the end of the spit, and were spooked by a crow dropping shellfish. They took to the air and flew around flicking back and forth, and switching from grey to silver as a group as they flew around.
Finally coming back to settle back on the spit.
The only wader to have the nerve to come closer to me as I sat quietly below the wall was a Curlew.
As I waited to see if more would come I was taken by the exposed metal of the old jetty, and the view of Hurst Castle Lighthouse in the distance, another candidate for a black and white image.
Giving up on the waders I walked a little further east along the sea wall, and unknowingly disturbed a Spotted Redshank feeding below me. It flew away in the sunshine.
Time was moving on, and the wind was becoming a little fresher, and the stillness I hoped for that could entice an owl maybe seemed a long way off. I decided to walk back to Butts Lagoon, and then to the car. As I passed the reed bed on the corner of Butts Bay I was taken by the waves of Reeds in the wind. The sunshine enhanced their colour and the movement would change the colour as you watched them. A still doesn't do them justice.
I dropped down from the wall to get a view from below and within the reeds.
I stopped on the corner of Fishtail to talk to a couple I hadn't seen for sometime, then made my way to the car park. On the little pool by the footpath a pair of Wigeon were on the water, and for once they didn't move on. I was also lucky that a cyclist waited to allow me to take some pictures before passing me, and flushing the Wigeon!
The light on the water was wonderful.
Later my decision to stay was brought into question, when my potential alternative, a visit to Alresford Pond turned up a roosting Hen Harrier. Oh well, it is not always possible to get it right!
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