20th November - Titchfield Haven and Farlington Marshes, Hampshire

The mild weather continued through the week, there was a promise of maybe a change into next week which hopefully might push some birds about.  However Saturday looked like another day of overcast conditions and no wind.  I was surprised then, to pull up on the sea wall at Hill Head, and find views of the full Beaver Moon through broken cloud.

The Beaver Moon is a native American name for the November full moon.  This is because November is seen as the time that the Beavers, start to retreat into their lodges, ready for the colder weather.  Historically, it is also the time when beaver fur traps would be set up in North America.

As I sorted myself out at the car I noticed movement by the side of the road, never seen a Stonechat foraging on the tarmac before.

It didn't stay long and this was a more expected view of a Stonechat.

With cloud around it was a little gloomy, but breaks in the cloud were allowing some early morning sunshine through and this was casting colours across the clam sea.  Off shore waders were moving, probably disturbed by some of the early morning dog walkers.  Sandering.

A single Oystercatcher.

Close in a Little Egret fishing in the shallow water.

I decided to walk around to the harbour, as I set off I was taken by yet another wonderful sunrise and scene set out before me across the Solent as I headed east.

I walked down to the beach behind the harbour for a water level view.

Early morning here at Hill Head, never fails to impress, the calmness of the water adding to this morning's beauty.

I paused in the hope of maybe the Kingfisher at the bridge.  It has been a while since I have seen it here and today did not break that run.  The only bird I could see was a Little Grebe tucked up against the mud exposed by the low tide.

Walking around to the Sailing Club there were plenty of Brent off shore and on the beach.  Its a shame the post in the water isn't straight as it deters from the potential symmetry of this photo.

Walking back to the car more golden water.

With the tide rising and the sea so calm the cliffs at Brownwich were the best place to view the water, the height allowing all to be seen.  Walking to the cliffs the Brent were moving.

Conditions were ideal, calm water and good visibility, but nobody had told the birds.  I did find the Slavonian Grebe that has been around for a couple of weeks now, it was though a long way out and would never be able to trouble the camera.  There were several Great Crested Grebes, a single drake Eider and of course more Brent, this group below the view point.

Returning to the sea wall, ironically, found three Common Scoter and a group of about 40 Eider, again too far away for the camera.

Next was a visit to the reserve, starting with the Meon Shore Hide.  The water levels was very high, the small island in front of the hide almost completely submerged.  On the island to the left there were Teal and fourteen Snipe to start with, there numbers increased as others flew in.

Interestingly some of the Snipe bobbed as they moved around, something always used in the identification of the Jack Snipe.

I liked the symmetry of these Black-headed Gulls, it is just a shame the centre post was not in the middle, I suppose \I could have deleted it!

There were a few Wigeon at the far side of the scrape, but the duck were mostly represented by Gadwall, Mallard and Teal which came the closest to the hide.  In order to make it interesting I had to look for something different.

A rear view

The water drop.

And a nice reflection.

There were a couple of Pied Wagtails flitting about in front of the hide, and they would use, the little bit of what was, the island in front of the hide.

Some nice reflections in the water.

I then decided to try for the Jack Snipe from the Spurgin Hide, but I could only stand about 30 minutes of staring at the open patches where it is supposed to show really well.  There wasn't even any duck to break the monotony today.  The only bird to appear other than the fly overs was a Wren doing an impression of a Penduline Tit.

I left the reserve and headed back to the sea wall.  After dropping off my scope I walked towards the beach by the harbour.  The tide was now high and a flock of Sanderling flew past.  

I watched as they dabbled with settling on the beach, something wasn't right and they flew off.

But they did return a few minutes later, this time settling on the beach. so I couldn't resist some Sanderling time.

They would take their time to bathe in the tide.

While others continued foraging on the exposed concrete of the groynes.

I then turned attention to the roost, they may appear to be asleep, but there are lots of watchful eyes.

They are just so photogenic.

I didn't make any attempt to count the roost but would estimate numbers well in excess of a hundred.

I then moved my position for a different angle.  Again one eye watching me

Using the dips in the shingle as cover.

Probably my favourite from this batch of Sanderling photos.

Up close.

Having taken enough once again I headed back to the car where I was shocked to see my rear door open and everything in the boot on show!  I couldn't have closed it properly when I dropped the scope off!

With it being high tide in pretty calm conditions I decided to head to Farlington Marshes, with the tide falling there was always the chance of ducks and waders leaving the roost and of course maybe an owl?  I could hope.

Arriving, the water was high and on the Lake there were good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Pintail.  Despite the high tide the water levels in the Lake were low and Teal and Mallard could be seen at the base of the reeds.

Out in the middle of the Lake were five Avocet and seven Greenshank (five seen here).

It took about an hour for the birds to start to get restless.  During that time I had hoped to see the Bearded Tits, but there was not even a ping all afternoon.  The first fly over was a Teal.

Then the Brent Geese, having stopped over on the Lake, carried on out into the harbour.

Next were the Black-tailed Godwits, odds to start with such as this individual.

Then some small groups heading out to the small islands appearing as the tide fell.

Then with out any warning almost all the godwits took off along with Lapwing, the Redshanks and the Avocet.

With almost all the waders gone things settled back to being quiet.  The Pintail remained and I was prepared to wait for them, but it didn't look like they were in any rush to leave.  This a black and white image.

A Little Egret had taken up residence where the Teal had been earlier.

Then when the Egret flew off some Pintail moved in, not a good sign, they seemed quite relaxed to stay put.

A Marsh Harrier, a female type, appeared from the centre of the reeds, but didn't stay up for long, dropping back into the reeds as quickly as it appeared.  

Finally I decided to walk around the sea wall.  Canada Geese were out on the marsh along with Wigeon that were hidden amongst the ant hills and dips.  Out on the water there was a large concentration of Black-headed and Common Gulls both above and on the water.  Looking closer there were also Red-breasted Mergansers and several Little Egrets.  I can only assume there was a large shoal of fish caught by the falling tide.

It was very quiet with very little to see, a flock of Grey Plover flew past and on the deeps there was one drake Shoveler on the water.

Further on, scanning the marshes I could just about pick out three Barnacle Geese.  I could also see another with its usual partner the white goose, so these three must be new birds.  Here a very poor record shot.

Finally, I had picked up the Peregrine perched on the radio mast when I arrived, as I turned to head towards the visitor centre I could see it was still present, watching all that surrounds it.  Interestingly when I drove past about 30 minutes later with the light fading it wasn't there.

Another very samey day with nothing really to get too excited about.  We desperately need the weather to change, something different is needed.  Maybe the change to cold weather might provide the stimulus, but I think it will need something a little more dramatic which is not currently forecast I am afraid.