It has been a while since I last visited Titchfield, eight weeks to be precise, so it was an early start and the pleasant drive in the pre dawn light from home. When I arrived on the sea wall at Hill Head the tide was just beginning to turn, the sky to the east was glowing orange, the sun still to rise, while away to the west above the area where once there was the Fawley power station was a full Worm Moon.
It is known as the worm moon because the soil starts to warm up and the worms rise in the damp ground.
The scene looking east was equally stunning.
The colours changing by the minute
The full scene west.
On the exposed rocks and pools below us a pair of Herring Gulls searched for any opportunity, there white breasts tinted with the orange glow of the morning sun rise
This one has the all black eye. When seen last year it caught me by surprise, but the other eye is pure Herring Gull.
We decided to walk the canal path and at the start came across this Roe Deer who was as interested in us as we were of her
This Song Thrush was singing above as we went through the gate and on to the path.
Chiffchaffs were singing from both sides of the path, at first it is difficult to pick them out but once they start moving it becomes easier.
Its good to have them back, singing the song of early spring amongst the pussy willow buds.
A little further along another Roe Deer, this time a buck with nicely velvet covered antlers
The walk to Posbrook Floods was uneventful, we walked alongside, but the water level was high. Scanning the open water there were Shoveler, Pintail and Wigeon, but not the hoped for Garganey. Behind us a male Reed Bunting sang from a bush in amongst .
the reeds
At the north end of the floods the long staying Cattle Egret was sitting on one of the fence posts, with more Roe Deer walking behind.
Walking to the bridge on the canal we were surprised to find this half eaten, what looks like a Chub on a rock in the middle of the canal. All the soft organs had been removed and we speculated if this was the work of an Otter.
We took the loop along the fields in the hope we may be able to find a Wheatear, there were no Wheatear, but plenty of Skylark coming up out of the arable shoots in pairs at ascending into the sky while in song.
Gulls drifted across in the clear blue sky, the perfect opportunity to photograph them
Mediterranean Gulls had been heard above us all morning and they would fly across from the north east, calling, their calls being heard well before picking up the actual gull.
The path winds around to the Canal Path at Hammond's Bridge and from there it is a walk back to Hill Head. We had been hearing several Cetti's Warblers all morning, some very close but not showing themselves. As we approached the end of the path one appeared and this time was much bolder.
Back at the cars there was a small group of Sanderling on the Rainbow Bar, that were flushed by a dog. They flew around for a short time before heading off with purpose towards the Haven beach.
There was then a little bit of excitement with a group of six Common Scoter off shore, but that was all they were. From there we walked into the reserve starting on the west side and the Meon Shore Hide. With us now well into March the Black-headed Gulls were setting up territory and possible nesting sites, this means the volume has increased significantly and there is constant calls and activity across the South Scrape. The guls are constantly displaying to each other to cement their bonds
Here a possible nesting site.
There was also good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls, mostly gathered on the north side of the scrape, of the waders there were Black-tailed Godwits, some in partial breeding plumage, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Snipe hiding along the edge of the scrape, keeping out of sight. Of the duck there were Wigeon grazing on the banks and Mallard, Gadwall and Teal on the water. This drake Teal was preening in front of the hide.
Moving to the Pumfrett Hide there was little different, however you were a little closer to some of the Avocet on the bank.
On to the Spurgin Hide there was nothing of interest, not even the Marsh Harriers came close. The gorgeous colours in the surrounding trees were spectacular though.
With such an early start today it seemed as if it was lunch time, but there was still plenty of the morning left. We walked around to the East Side of the reserve but did not get past the beach behind the Haven and of course the roosting Sanderling.
I can't resist these lovely, dainty waders, their antics around the crashing waves always entertaining to watch.
Coming over the shingle bank
Digging into the pebbles.
Just staying still, the Sanderlings come to you.
The view from the Suffren Hide taking in the azure blue sky and buff coloured reeds.
We have both seen butterflies since the Red Admiral in the New Forest on the 26th February, but so far this year have not managed to photograph one. As we came out of the hide a Peacock was flying around the rushes beneath the board walk, it settle and we had the first photograph of the year if only a little distant.
Walking along the main board walk though one settled much closer and a much better photograph.
We hoped for more butterflies as we walked to the Knights Bank Hide, but with no luck. From the hide both the male and female Marsh Harriers.
What was first thought to be one of the Marsh Harriers turned out to be a Buzzard, it flew across the Frying Pan scattering the Teal and Wigeon.
We headed back to the sea wall, this pair of Great Black-backed Gulls looking quite confident of their presence despite the mobbing by Black-headed Gulls.
Back at the cars lunch was accompanied by several Black-headed Gulls, they have mastered the art of catching scraps of food in mid air. What was interesting was they quickly learnt what was good and what wasn't. One caught some orange peel, but dropped it and never made the same mistake, ignoring any other peel thrown up. As they hovered above me it was a great opportunity to photograph them up close in the air.
March seems to regularly deliver these wonderful sunny days that make you feel winter is over. Only two years ago the weather was the same and the following week we went into lockdown. Just like last two years ago we were now off to Browndown, unfortunately not Browndown South, which was closed, but to Browndown North. Again like two years ago we were after Adders and hopefully some more butterflies.
Walking onto Browndown we came across a single Comma, flying around the bramble in a sheltered spot.
Walking around the the wooded area we then came across a pair of Comma.
They would spiral around above us and then settling on a branch, like two dead leaves.
We searched around the base of the Gorse and Blackthorn bushes, in some places there were strips of corrugated plate and close to one of these strips we found this large female Adder.
Sensing us she raised her head.
Then slowly she slid away into the base of the bush and out of sight.
This was the only Adder we found, it is not so easy in this area, Browndown South provides much better habitat for them when the sun comes out in early spring. They are always impressive to see and I hope that we get another chance when Browndown South opens.
One feature of the grassy area was again the number of Skylark, again rising from the grass and hovering almost at eye level.
The weather had been so good it was probably too good for migrants, with the crystal clear conditions seeing anything pass through unnoticed. It was a shame not to pick up any hirundines but there is plenty of time. The Adder is always special
