Another midweek trip with Ian, this time to the Keyhaven - Lymington Reserve. It was another sunny warm morning, but with the threat of cloud and rain in the afternoon. For once we met up somewhere different, at the bottom of Lower Woodside. We were heading off to Normandy Marsh to catch up once again with the pair of Roseate Terns, this time in more acceptable weather.
We walked along Oxey Creek and then on to the sea wall and past Salterns where an Avocet was feeding in the shallow water that is usually reserved for the Spotted Redshank.
On the bramble nearby a female Linnet sat, a bird that doesn't get photographed that much.
We walked around to the south side of Normandy Marsh and there was one Roseate Tern on the island amongst the black-headed Gulls and Common Terns. Having taken plenty of the Roseates sitting on the island a few days ago I opted to wait for the mate to return, it is still quite a distance to the island.
While we waited a Redshank appeared on the fence posts in front of us.
It didn't take long for a now, familiar call to announce the arrival of the other Roseate Tern, coming over the sea wall and low over the water towards the Tern Island. It was the ringed bird that I am convinced is the male bird.
As it came onto the island there was a tussle with a Common Tern, this looking like it was a clash of bills.
banking showing off the tail streamers.
Continuing to circle around the island.
This is probably my favourite shot so far.
The ringed bird was off again, the mate staying put on the island surrounded by the Common Terns. While waiting the Redshank appeared on the post once more, this time with a better background.
The Little Terns were flying around once more.
The Roseate Tern reappeared.
This time landing on the island meant having to avoid the attention of the Common Terns, which involved some hovering and open bill brandishing.
It did not stay long and was soon off again, so attention turned to a pair of Little Terns on the exposed beach quite close to the sea wall.
Its mate bringing in a small fish for the bird sitting on the beach.
The Roseate was then back, this time carrying what looks like a Sand Eel.
As it tried to drop down to its mate the sand Eel became of interest to the Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns and they then chased the Roseate off. It carried the eel across the lagoon water and eventually over the sea wall to get away from the pursuers.
It did come back again, but caught us by surprise and settled with its mate. We decided though that we had seen enough, so we headed back, passing a Lapwing with three youngsters on the mud.
We walked through to Pennington and Fishtail. We were looking for the Garganey, but there wasn't any sign of them. However there was a Spoonbill on the main causeway of Fishtail.
While there five Black-tailed Godwits flew around the lagoon.
Out on the shore of Butts Bay the male Eider seen on the last visit was hauled out and preening.
Once again a Reed Warbler was showing well at the top of the reeds, this time on Butts Lagoon close to the path.
If you recall a Chiffchaff has a small primary projection indicating short wings and given as the reason for there rather short migration route, rarely beyond the Sahara. Here on the Reed Warbler you can see a long primary projection in a bird that migrates to the sub Saharan countries of Africa during the winter.
My favourite so far of what is a difficult bird to see, let alone photograph.
A male Stonechat posing nicely.
On the beach at the path at Pennington Marsh there were several Dunlin feeding, showing the summer plumage nicely.
Lovely rusty brown colouring.
With them a single summer plumaged Turnstone.
After some lunch we decided to give Pig Bush a go, in the hope that, despite the cloudy conditions the Honey Buzzards reported recently would still be showing. From the car park we walked out on to the heath, scanning the distant trees. The best place to do this was at the top of the ridge and it was from there that Ian picked out a raptor soaring.
It took some photographs to be able to get a better view. It this cropped shot you can clearly see the elongated head, the long wings and til, all of which match a Honey Buzzard Identification.
The Honey Buzzard has many forms known as polymorphic and the overall jizz of the bird is as important. Honeys glide and soar on flat wings as opposed to the "V" of a Common Buzzard. They also very different fluid wing beats which we saw repeatedly with this bird. As they turn in the air they can show a slight droop at the carpal, which can been seen here as the bird flew over the tree tops.
The Honey Buzzard gained height and slowly disappeared from sight. We waited for something to appear, but it didn't so we walked back to the car park to the song of Stonechats and Dartford Warblers in the gorse. Another successful day.
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