Aside from the weather another reason for leaving Durlston at lunch time was the report of a pair of Garganey discovered this morning at the south end of Posbrook Floods at Titchfield Haven. about five miles from the coast the weather changed with blue skies that remained with us all the way to Titchfield.
It took around 90 minutes to reach the car park at Bridge Street only to find it was full, fortunately we were able to park close by. Walking down the canal path there was a fox on the left hand side enjoying what was now quite warm afternoon sunshine.
It was watching people walking along the path.
The sun was quite bright.
There wasn't any sign of the Barn Owl in the usual tree. A Cetti's Warbler burst into song close by and there was also a Blackcap and Whitethroat singing in the same tree. The Whitethroat then flew to a fence post and gave us both barrels. This was a little bit better than the Whitethroat at Durlston first thing this morning.
The canal path alongside the Floods looked at its spring best.
A Chiffchaff was singing above us showing well in the lichen covered branches.
We scanned the floods thoroughly, there were at last three Coot nests, a Great Crested Grebe on the nest, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Shoveler, but no sign of the reported Garganey. We walked to the end of the floods and even checked the area adjacent, nothing could be seen. The water levels are high and there is plenty of flooded vegetation the Garganey could sleep in, well out of sight.
In the trees on the other side of the canal a Treecreeper carrying food looked as if it was off to the nest, but we lost it before it gave away any location.
Great Spotted Woodpecker were calling from the top of the trees, there were at least three birds present and they would chase each other around the area, calling as they did so.
With not being able to find the Garganey were were on the verge of leaving, but we paused to watch the swallows hawking over the water at the north end of the floods. Then a message came in of a Hobby hunting over Posbrook Floods. A quick scan of the skies above produced a distant Hobby and we stayed to watch it catching insects in the hope it would drift closer. A Marsh Harrier, Red Kite and Buzzard appeared at the south end of the Floods and the Harrier came close flushing duck. As a group flew around Ian picked up the pair of Garganey with some Gadwall. They settled on the water in view and we set off back along the path to get the best view. The pair were in amongst the grasses.
The drake on its own.
The Garganey is the most migratory of all the western palearctic ducks and is unique as it is the only duck to migrate to breed and leave for the winter. It is a small duck being a little larger than a Teal, with a longer bill and tail. In flight males of all ages show a pale blue grey forewing with bold wing bars.
It is thought that about 120 pairs of Garganey breed in the United Kingdom, contrary to its scarcity in the UK the global population is very large and extensive.
Old English names for the Garganey are "Cricket Teal" due to the males' vocalisations and "Summer Teal" due to its seasonal presence.
As with other wildfowl, Garganey is impacted by hunting, not just being shot but through the ingesting of lead pellets. Fortunately there appears to be an upward trajectory for the Garganey in Britain, with the creation of wetlands likely a key factor. The drying out of wetlands further south in the breeding range and continued warmer temperatures are likely to push a northward shift, so it may well be that we see more of the Garganey here in Britain.
After this shot the pair disappeared once more into the vegetation and out of sight.
We made our way back to the car after what had been a very successful day
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