There was a little mist over the fields as I headed towards Alresford through Ropley, it was clearly going to be a lovely day. I then came across what I hoped would be a good omen for the the day, a Barn Owl hunting along side the road on the Alresford by pass. I have seen them here before, but this time the owl actually flew along side the car as I slowed down for a better view.
The rest of the journey was uneventful, and I pulled into the car park at Lower Pennington Lane where Ian was already present. I hoped out of the car quickly to take in the rising sun over Pennington Marsh.
Around the car park a Cetti's Warbler delivered it's explosive song, but remained hidden amongst the emerging leaves of the elderberry bushes. We set off, taking the path to the west heading toward the sea wall at Fishtail Lagoon. Despite the warm dry weather there was still plenty of water on the marsh, and still good numbers of duck. Teal were the most numerous, with their numbers seemingly having increased over the last few weeks, there were also still lingering numbers of Pintail and Wigeon.
As we stood scanning for maybe a Garganey a Roe Deer burst from the bushes to our left side and headed out across the marsh, bounding through the marsh.
The golden sunshine catching the brown of its body as it went.
There is something magical at about this time of day and the time of year, the beautiful morning with its mists and wonderful light combines with the sound and song of the birds to signal that winter is coming to an end, there is a new start, if only that were so with our current political situation.
A Wren burst into song from the top of an elderberry bush, the sunshine catching its tail and adding a little gold to the silhouette against the sky.
As we headed on Ian picked up a large, probably female, Marsh Harrier hunting over the reeds and water of Butts Lagoon, once again just a silhouette against the orange sky out over the Solent.
Linnet and Goldfinches could be seen on the ground in front of us and in amongst the bushes, this male Linnet sang from a vantage point in amongst the flowers of the Gorse bush.
Dropping down on to the path alongside the short pool you sense that you are now below the reeds, and the rising sun.
On Fishtail a Shoveler was attending to its feathers, a slight mist hanging over the water.
Stepping up onto the sea wall we heard the calls of Mediterranean Gulls, and a group of five could be seen heading towards Butts Lagoon.
A pair of Avocet called and flew over our heads and landed on Fishtail, we headed around the path, and positioned ourselves close to the small island in the middle of the open water. There were at least a dozen Avocet scattered around the lagoon, all in pairs. The still water provided some lovely reflections of the birds as they stood in the shallow water.
One pair on the island had been inspecting the gravel bank, and then they moved out into the water where one lay prostrate on the surface of the water, a sure sign that some courtship behaviour was about to take place.
The female lays prostrate while the male preens on either side of her, scooping water up with his bill to preen mostly the breast feathers but also the wings and tail. He moves either side and this can take anything up to ten minutes to complete. We stood waiting for the moment when he mounts her. After a while I felt for the female, laying there with her neck on the water.
An Oystercatcher called flying towards us, and we broke off to get a photo of it in flight as it passed. On returning to the Avocet it became clear that we had missed "the moment" as the male was charging off across the water, the act that signals the completion of the act.
Due to the distraction of the Oystercatcher we had missed recording the full courtship, and the photograph of the Oystercatcher was rubbish too!
We headed towards Keyhaven Marsh and Lagoon, hoping to find the Spoonbill that have been about, but scanning across the lagoon it was clear that they weren't there, all the wildfowl was at the back of the lagoon with Shelduck being the dominant species. Rather than walking on we turned back with the intention of heading east towards Normandy Marsh with the sun in our eyes.
We didn't get too far, stopping again at Fishtail where in the western corner there was a good sized flock of Shoveler, mostly all drakes. Something spooked them, or maybe they just got fed up with their surrounding and they almost all flew off heading east out over the marshes. The challenge was then to capture one in flight, this being the best of several shots I took.
With the Shoveler gone, all that remained in the area were Teal and a few Pintail, the latter mostly sheltered under the bank of the lagoon.
There were quite a few Avocet about no, I counted t least 16, and pairs continued to fly in. The majority were gathered at the back of the lagoon, but there were others to the east on the main part of the lagoon.
We were walking over to get a better view of the Avocet, but I had to stop for a Shelduck that was sitting in the middle of the lagoon. At this time of yer they really look splendid. They get overlooked because, well mainly because they are a Shelduck. This is a drake, with the red knob on the bill.
The Avocets were kicking off, pairs looking to hold territory, and immediately repelling any others that came close. Here three pairs come together, the pair at the front on the right being the pair that seemingly hold the territory.
What is not apparent from the photograph is the calling that is taking place, all the birds were constantly chattering away as they swam together.
One pair pulled away, but the two pairs left faced off in what to me looks like a scene from West Side Story, I can almost hear the snapped fingers!
But when face offs and chatter don't work they resort to aggression, flying at the pairs with extended legs to chase the aggressor away.
Once peace is restored the pair go back to reinforcing their bonds, not the same behaviour as we witnessed earlier but a little more subtle. They sychronise their behaviour, walking side by side and feeding at the same time.
Then when all calm is restored they go about feeding and moving around separately.
They are probably the most elegant wader apart from the Black-winged Stilt we have.
Ian went back to the car park to retrieve a spare battery as his was running low. I remained on sea wall between Butts and Fishtail captivated by the scene all around me and the wonderful morning light.
Looking towards the east across Keyhaven the light was better, the sea turned a deep blue and calm. Black-headed Gulls were feeding at the edge of the sea wall in amongst the floating seaweed brought to the top by the rising tide. At this time of year these gulls are at their best with their chocolate brown hood, brilliant red bill and white eye liner, for once the photograph masks the noise that these gulls give off in the breeding season
Another white bird picked out against the deep blue colour of the tide was a Mute Swan, swimming serenely out of the creek, its reflection looking as regal as its poise.
As I waited I was taken by the antics of the gulls, and just had to photograph them against the water.
Annoyed by another gull they would fly off to find another feeding spot, belly flopping into the water close in.
The noisy flapping of wings made me turn to see one of the Mute Swans taking off, running across the water and rigorously flapping the wings for lift.
It takes a while for lift of, but gradually the body and legs clear the water.
With one gone the other swan on the far side wasn't going to hang around and was off too, paddling over the water frantically trying to get some height.
Yet another white bird then arrived, this time a Little Egret flying across the bay from the saltmarsh on Keyhaven.
Ian finally turned up, having been waylaid by Cetti's Warbler and fellow Nikon lovers. We headed off around Butts, stopping though of course for Tufted Duck at rest on the still water.
On Jetty Lagoon there were a pair of Pintail.
From the lagoon we passed the Jetty and around Pennington Marsh. A Goldfinch sat amongst the Rose bushes in the sunshine by the side of the sea wall.
On the other side of the sea wall the old rusting jetty stood out in the dead calm sea.
The water on the lagoon on the other side of the sea wall was dead calm, and reflecting the blue sky to give it a deep blue look. On the far bank were four Spoonbill, for once all were rather animating, neither looking like they were going to fall asleep.
From the marking on the tips of the wings these are all immature birds and this probably accounts for some of the behaviour we observed as the birds interacted with each other. Two of the four started to interact, and to pick up sticks.
It wasn't clear if one was trying to pass the stick to the other, or to take it away, but they followed each other around, one with the stick.
As one stretches its wing you can see the black tips to the primaries that indicate an immature bird.
The battle over the stick continues, here it being dropped
Then picked up and the bird then walks away from the other.
Dropping down into the water.
The other bird following, still trying to take the stick.
Then a calm falls on the proceedings, and all four come closer together
But the same two then engage in some more stick exchanging.
Whether this is to do with a dispute over possibly choosing suitable nesting material, or the stick is presented as some sort of courtship is not clear, but it was good for once to see some different behaviour from either sleeping or feeding.
Here quite a substantial stick!
We moved on from the Spoonbill as there was a Spotted Redshank feeding a litle further along in the lagoon. The reflection in the water providing some opportunity for some good shots.
Surprisingly still very much in winter plumage
Little Egrets are now quite common place, and being all white can be just dismissed. However in breeding plumage with the fine feathers and crests, and in the right conditions they can be quite spectacular, and that was how it was today. Blue still water, a hunting egret slowly moving through the water watching any opportunity.
Then the strike, lightning fast, and always difficult to catch the exact moment of impact.
And the beauty is it continues to hunt, slow movement once again, with the head dropping lower, watching.
Then stationary, stretching out across the water with stealth reaching down to the surface of the water and providing the perfect reflection.
Then the strike and resulting ripples and bubbles, the beauty of a plain white bird.
From the lagoon we decided against heading around the sea wall, and turned inland towards Oxey Creek. All around us were singing and displaying Linnets and Greenfinches, while above the song of the many Skylarks could be heard. One or two o the Skylarks could be seen on the ground.
At the bushes by the gate a pair of Long-tailed Tits were busy in the bramble, one had a mouthful of feathers so they were clearly either searching for a suitable nest position or were already building.
After passing through Moses Dock we stopped at the small lagoons alongside Oxey Creek. A Black-tailed Godwit was almost in summer plumage, the neck and breast showing the lovely brick red plumage.
There were more Black-tailed Godwits further along, not so advanced with there summer plumage, they were up against the reeds at the back of the lagoon. The light was becoming wonderful for photography, and we walked down the sea wall to get to the same level.
Walking around the lagoon to eight mile pond a Spotted Redshank was feeding close to the path. We edged slowly forward using the bushes as cover and were treated to some greta views as it fed in the shallow water.
Still not in their summer plumage or even showing any sign of change, they can be told apart from the Redshank by the longer legged appearance, the prominent white above the eye, and the white grey edges to the secondaries and primaries. The feeding behaviour is also more frantic and quicker than that of the Redshank, preferring to feed in deeper water and sometimes upending.
There is a shallow patch just on the corner, and the pool of water was still and just like a mirror, another Spotted Redshank was feeding here and we were able to get ourselves down low and even closer to get some great shots. Here with a Common Redshank in the background for comparison
Then feeding on its own.
These are some of the best photographs I have taken of this elegant wader.
The Spotted Redshank moved away, finally flying off, but was replaced by another Black-tailed Godwit with again about 75 percent breeding plumage.
The light was providing some wonderful opportunities and consequently some great photographs.
As we walked away from the lagoon a Jackdaw sat on the fence post, dismissed as a just a "crow" they have a subtle grey nape contrasting with the blue black plumage, but for me the stand out is the lovely steel blue eye.
We walked around to Normandy Marsh, the winding turns of the sea wall causing the scenes across the marsh and water to change as the angle of the sun impacted on the light we were looking at. As we walked the west side of the lagoon, heading south a Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank roosting in the shallow water were reflected as silhouettes producing a lovely image.
Dunlin could be seen feeding around the edge of the water, while out on the island a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were present, one was settled in amongst the grass while presumably, its mate was tucking into the remains of what appeared to be an eel.
A little further around a Greenshank was patrolling the water close to the shore, again the light and calm conditions producing lovely reflection in the water.
We scanned the sea on the other side of the marsh for any sign of terns but drew a blank. As a result we decided to turn back to re-trace the walk back to Pennington. Once again the light changed the view, looking out across the Solent the sea was a pure white merging into a similar looking sky. A lone yacht moored just off the sea wall reflected in the water, the slight movement of the water providing a slight ripple in the mirror like sea.
Back at Oxey Creek the Godwits and Redshank had been joined by another Greenshank.
Something spooked the Godwits, and we were treated to fly pasts as they circled around the lagoon.
Then around past the reeds to provide a lovely background.
The Greenshank then left the other waders and started to feed at the back of the lagoon in the shallow water, stalking through the water and darting at the surface with its bill.
Dropping down low once again allowed us to get an eye level view of the action, the Greenshank constantly moving, with its reflection standing out in the mirror like water.
Finally taking a rest.
As we approached Moses dock three Rook flew over, quite high and heading east. It was unusual, as I can't recall ever seeing Rook on the marshes.
We decided to not cross the marsh, but head around the sea wall. Scanning the sea off Oxey Marsh we picked up several Eider, including some smart males. There was a reported count of 47 on the day, we didn't see that many but there was quite a few on both the water an the surrounding saltmarsh
Back on the calm waters of the lagoons were a group of Wigeon, there numbers are reducing quickly as they leave after spending the winter here on the south coast.
Ruff had been reported from the Jetty Lagoon, and after some searching we found a male, with quite a bit of white showing as it moves into its breeding plumage. It was a long way off at the back of the lagoon hence the record shot only.
We moved on to Butts, and stood talking to another birder. As we stood there we first heard the pings of Bearded Tits, then saw three fly into the reeds.
WE moved to where they were and the showed again, and we followed again. Every time they came to the front of the reeds they were there and then gone, no chance for a photograph. Then we watched as they flew into the south west corner of the the reeds, and we thought they were gone. Walking around though we could see movement, and the initial three birds were then joined by others. There were definitely three males, and finally they showed long enough to get some photographs.
Then a full on shot and a view of the "beard", which is more out a Terry Thomas moustache
They moved on and only a pair were left, the male kept itself hidden, but the female showed well at the top of the reeds.
We left the Bearded Tits, and were surprised to find that the last two hours had just flown past. As a result we decided to head back to the car park with a view to moving on somewhere else. However we were stopped by a singing Cetti's Warbler that was showing well, something of an event at this time of year.
Back at the car park we decided to move on to Martin Down. The weather was excellent, and there was every chance of some early butterflies. As a result I have decided to publish the morning part of the day as a separate blog, something I haven't done before, but the quality and number of photographs this morning have been amazing. What a morning, nothing special in terms of birds seem, other than the Bearded Tits, but some wonderful light, and conditions. One of the really special days.
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