Waders were beginning to turn up as they headed back from their breeding grounds in various spots around the country and there was always the chance of something interesting. Swallows were moving through heading west, and around the car park there were several Whitethroats, with a lot more seen around the area during the day. And so it was with anticipation as we set off across the old tip towards Fishtail Lagoon, with blue sky appearing away to the west, and bird activity around the exposed mud at the back of the lagoon.
We stopped and scanned the mud to find that there was a lot of juvenile Pied Wagtails about, along with several Meadow Pipits. An egret flew across the lagoon, we didn't see where it came from but it dropped down onto the saltmarsh. Much larger than a Little Egret, it lacked the yellow feet and the bill was yellow, so we were happy it was a Great White Egret. We were going to make our way around to the area so we hoped it would still be about.
Swallows moved through, skimming low across the damp grass, swooping up every so often to catch insects. Drooping down on to the path that leads to the sea wall, a Grey Heron was hunting in the small pool close to the reeds.
Looking across the lagoon there were six Avocets preening just off the shingle island with one juvenile bird amongst them.
We walked along the sea wall towards Keyhaven, stopping to scan the lagoon, concentrating on the mud at the back. As well as the juvenile Pied Wagtails we found a couple of Common Sandpipers and a Ringed Plover. Reed Buntings and Warblers were present in the reeds close to the path, and every so often would perch on the wire fence.
We moved on around to Keyhaven Lagoon, once again everything was gathered at the back of the lagoon, and standing out was a large white bird, the Great White Egret we had seen earlier. This was a first for me here, despite the fact they have become quite commonly seen here in Hampshire now. With it being a long way off I had to be happy with a record shot.
The sun was coming out now, but along with it a rather stiff breeze from the south west. Several butterflies were appearing in the wild carrot and knapweed that covered the bank of the sea wall. A Common Blue settled but moved on before the camera was ready, but a Gatekeeper proved a better subject.
Gatekeeper have been numerous over the last few weeks, this being the peak time for this dainty brown butterfly. Another name for it is the Hedge Brown, as it is found around bramble hedges, which seem to follow fences and gates!
There were two more Avocet on the lagoon, again at the back, an adult and a juvenile. There were also plenty of Shelduck families and a good number of juvenile Black-headed Gulls.
A Little Tern was fishing in the open water, flying around and hovering before diving into the water. This brought this dainty little tern close to us, and allowed some opportunity for some flight shots.
Frustratingly it would use the wind to hover, and this meant that it was always facing away from us and we had to wait for it to come back around. We watched the tern for a while, then decided to make our way back to Fishtail. Scanning across the saltmarsh, a Peregrine was sat preening on one of the posts, while distant it looked like a juvenile bird so it would seem there has been some breeding success locally.
Back at Fishtail the Avocets had moved to the shingle island to roost.
Birds on the wires in front of us were thought at first to be the Reed buntings or warblers, but a closer look revealed that they were Sand Martins, probably juvenile birds resting before moving on.
From Fishtail we walked on a round the sea wall. Butts Bay was empty, the tide starting to rise, but on Butts lagoon there was a large group of Black-tailed Godwits. The count reached 300 in the week, but today counting them all was difficult as they were tucked into the western corner of the pool, sheltering from the fresh south westerly wind.
Not all the godwits were in the group, we came across two feeding close to the sea wall. Both were showing variable amounts of the summer plumage, which up close was probably just as spectacular.
This individual seems to have a growth at the base of the bill, but it didn't seem impair its ability to feed.
The bill is thrust into the mud, and the head moved back and forth to disturb the mud.
To the right of where this one was feeding was another, it was standing in still water throwin a nice reflection.
As well as the many Whitethroats that were seen around the gorse and bramble all along the sea wall another feature was the presence of Great Black-backed Gulls scouring the pools and lagoons and surrounding marsh. Every so often one would fly over, and you could see them looking for an easy meal.
Quite an impressive bird, at one time a group of four could be seen patrolling up and down.
At Pennington Lagoon we picked up a juvenile Little Ringed Plover feeding on the far bank. You can just make out the feint yellow eye ring.
It would move up and down the shore line at quite an impressive speed, stopping and turning to dart at the mud and soil.
The sun had by now gone and dark clouds were threatening away to the west, at first we couldn't see the Needles, then Hurst Castle began to disappear. It stayed dry though as we rounded Oxey Marsh. On a spit looking out across the water there was a group of 29 Eider, all immature and female birds hauled up on the shingle. A little further along there were two out on the water, one could be seen with a crab, while the other had just eaten one I think and was looking to ensure it could be swallowed.
Then something unusual on the marsh, we watched as a dark bird took off with large white wing patches. At first we had no idea what it was, was it something special. It then settled and we could see that this was in fact a partially leucistic Carrion Crow.
Quite a bit of white in both the flight feathers and tail feathers that only really show in flight. Once on the ground it becomes dominantly black. Some poor record shots I am afraid
Along the sea wall were Linnets, again a lot of juvenile birds that sport a very bright crimson pink breast patch.
With the Linnets were a couple of juvenile Stonechats and a Reed Bunting that was dusting on the path. The Stonechats would move along the path with a very upright, almost "wheatear" like stance.
Then the rain came, just as the path turns west towards Moses Dock, and the shower was heavy an intense coupled with an increase in the wind and a dropping of the temperature. We did get wet, but unknown to me then that was the least of my problems.
We made our way around the pools, keeping below the sea wall to get out of the wind and driving rain. But almost as soon as it started the rain eased, and behind the menacing dark clouds there was a welcoming patch of blue. We were heading towards Normandy Marsh, and as we came around the corner by the outflow a Little Tern was fishing very close in.
I struggled to get the camera out as I had put my waterproof on over the strap etc., When I managed to get the camera into position any attempt to photograph didn't work, something was clearly wrong. The message said the camera could not communicate with the battery, so I switched it off, took the battery out, replaced it, and turned it back. I managed two shots of the Little Tern.
Then the camera failed again. After more switching it off and turning back on it started up and I was able to get this:
The nothing, and even worse strange noises when you switched it on. I can only assume water had got into the camera, how I am not sure, but after a short while with the camera in the sun condensation appeared on the panel at the top of camera. I took the battery out and left the battery compartment open in the hope it would allow it to dry out. As I waited I scanned the marsh where there were two Greenshanks feeding, and Turnstone close in.
I kept trying to turn it on but kept getting the same message. I didn't let it completely ruin the day. We set off back to the car park, with very little about now. Back at the car I tried again, nothing doing! I left the camera in the car while we walked around the Ancient Highway looking for butterflies in what was now clear blue skies and sunshine. We found Gatekeeper, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Speckled Wood, and a Red Admiral, but not the hoped for Wall.
At Keyhaven harbour we stopped to look on the Pans lake at the back, and of surprise was a Shag on the bank close in, of course no camera! I am though grateful to Ian allowing me to share one of his.
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| Shag (c) Ian Smith |
Back at the car the camera was still not working, hope was now beginning to fade. Back home I left it out, in the hope things would improve but it wasn't to be. It was like having my arm cut off. All I can do now is just hope it rights itself, and that this was not the last picture taken with it!
The camera incident overshadowed what was a very enjoyable day. Nothing spectacular but the chance to talk and laugh with my good friend.
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