After the last two outings concentrating on orchids and butterflies I decided to spend some time at Titchfield Haven. I knew it was going to be quiet but there was always the chance of something showing up.
Before entering the reserve I checked the high tide roost on the beach behind the sailing club. There was a collection of waders but they were all Turnstone, some showing summer plumage and others in various stages.
I went into the west side of the reserve and into the Meon Shore Hide. When I checked in I was informed that the Avocet nests this year had all failed, being predated by the Lesser Black-backed Gulls and maybe the resident Marsh Harriers.
There was plenty of noise, mostly Black-headed Gulls all of which seemed to have well developed juveniles. Despite the loss of their eggs and young there was still good numbers of Avocet. Some of these could be seen mating so maybe they will try again. This individual was feeding in front of the hide.
Then one pair of Avocet suddenly took a dislike to another pair that were feeding close to the reeds on the left hand side, and they slowly made their way over to have a go!
The two pairs squaring up.
It was all mainly handbags with no real animosity and eventually they both went their own way.
Then all of the scrape went up and the reason was clear as female Marsh Harrier glided over the scrape.
At the same time a Lesser Black-backed Gull appeared over the scrape, flying around amongst the birds put up by the Marsh Harrier.
From idle flying it suddenly turned and dived towards the islands.
And picked off a Common Tern chick while everything was concerned about the Marsh Harrier.
Both Common Tern and Black-headed Gull gave chase, but it was pointless, the gull had beaten them all and there was one less Common Tern on the scrape.
Gradually everything settled back down, the Avocet still in front of the hide.
And the Common Terns came and went with fish for more youngsters on the islands.
I left the hide and headed around to the Spurgin Hide. On the way I stopped off at Darter's Dip where there were several Common Blue Damselflies.
rom the Spurgin Hide the Oystercatchers were still occupying the post. It wasn't clear if the eggs they were incubating on an island had hattched. I only ever saw one Oystercatcher and a Mute Swan spent a lot of time in the area where the nest was.
A Common Tern came from the direction of the scrape and fished in the pools, hovering before darting into the water.
The Common Tern then displaced the Oystercatcher from its post, the Oystercatcher calling as it flew off.
The tern then left the post and continued to fish in front of the hide.
A Little Grebe came up one of the channels and dived close to the reeds, eventually coming up with what looks like a Stickleback.
After turning it several times it swallowed it.
Lovely reflection in the still water.
I decided to head back to the east side, but once again stopped at Darter's Dip where there were now Four-spot Chasers on the wing.
As I walked around the harbour I scanned the river. There has been a red head Goosander about over the last few weeks and they are always an interesting bird to photograph.
You can see the saw teeth here on the bill.
The Goosander headed into Duck Bay and later I saw it snorkelling along the edge of the falling tide.
The Walkway Pond had more damselflies, this time the Azure Damselfly.
I walked to the Meadow Hide where it was quiet, very quiet. A Little Egret and Grey Heron on the frying pan and a Buzzard distantly away to the west. I then picked up a circling falcon high above the owl boxes. As i t circled it started to come closer and closer. In the end I had to go out of the hide as it passed over head.
It drifted away and I was able to watch it as it caught insects and ate them on the wing.
With the Hobby gone I decided to head home. As I said at the beginning, it was going to be quiet, but there was also some incidents of interest.
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