The days are getting shorter and shorter as we approach the autumn equinox, I arrived at the sea wall at Hill Head just after seven and the tide was at its lowest. Off shore nine Brent Geese flew west, the first of the year for me here. Fisherman were standing in the shallow water and just beyond them were seven male Eider. On the beach there were a couple of Dunlin a Ringed Plover and good numbers of Redshank and Turnstone.
Two Glossy Ibis flew from the beach and across the sea wall to land in the South Scrape on the reserve. At the back of the reserve there were two Marsh Harriers, female types hunting over the reeds. Pinging calls from the reeds close to the road revealed the Bearded Tits once more, a male showing very well.
With the tide low there was mud around the base of the reeds in Duck Bay and there were three Water Rials visible. At one point two had a fight in a manner similar to Coots, it was quite vicious.
Another Glossy Ibis flew up from around the Sailing Club area and flew to the pools on the beach. There have been three about so this must have stayed on the beach when the other two flew into the reserve earlier.
Ian and I walked along the sea wall to get the sun behind us that would allow us to get the best views and allow the sunlight to highlight the glossy plumage.
The curved bill is used in the same manner as a Curlew, turning the head to push it into spaces around the rocks to search for food.
This is the winter plumage with streaks on the neck, but the white lines at the base of the bill.
from the beach the Ibis flew over the sea wall and dropped down on to Duck Bay where it was quite close to the road.
One of the primary feathers appeared to be loose.
As it turned the light would produce different colours on the feathers.
I was distracted away from the Ibis by a juvenile Water Rail that appeared at the base of the reeds close to the road.
Another distraction from the Ibis was the "pinging" calls from the reeds once more and a pair of Bearded Tits.
A classic pose.
The male then flew to a reed stem and gradually made its way up the stem.
And gave me some great views.
Some of the best photos I have taken of Bearded Tit, and I don't apologise for taking so many.
We checked in and went to the west side of the reserve and the Meon Shore Hide once again. The three Glossy Ibis were on the south scrape two together and the other feeding around one of the islands.
Once again the light bringing out the petrol colours that give the Ibis its name.
A Sparrowhawk on the west side of the scrape put up some of the birds on the scrape, but a little later everything went up and cruising over the scrape was an Osprey.
It was an unringed bird and headed north towards the Frying Pan area of the reserve.
It made several dives on to the river, but was not successful and settled in a tree before disappearing from sight.
So it was back to the Glossy Ibis that had moved closer to the hide.
The birds on the scrape were still nervous, here all the Black-tailed Godwits went up.
The Osprey then appeared at the back of the reserve, over the Frying Pan area once again, it was still trying to catch a meal.
Then success as it appeared with what looks like a large Grey Mullet hanging from one claw.
We watched it fly up the valley, but then turn to the west where it continued above the trees with us willing it to come to the scrape, but eventually was lost to view as it headed towards Warsash.
Once again back to the Glossy Ibis.
It crossed the scrape to the small island on the left hand side of the hide.
The foraging action with its long curved bill.
It ten caught what looks like a small eel, which didn't want to be swallowed and wrapped around the bill. The Ibis though managed to position it so that it could be dispatched.
Standing with one of the Snipe that calls the island home.
A turn and some stunning colour in the wings.
The mud was quite sticky.
The other two Ibis remained at the back of the scrape, but did fly in a little closer.
Three Little Egret at the back of the scrape caught my eye in the black water.
A single Mediterranean Gull flew in.
The morning had been quite special so far, so we decided to try our luck in the Spurgin Hide. On arrival a Kingfisher flew in and was chased by another. A Great Egret was seen coming from the Frying Pan Area, calling as it arrived.
It dropped on to Eleven Acre Mere at he back close to the reeds where it hunted with the "snooty" head up approach.
Then the Kingfisher arrived as expected and showed well again on one of the many posts.
Interestingly a male that was ringed.
Love the way the wind blows the feathers.
The wind then catching the crown too.
Then rather than fishing from a perch it decided to hover over a calm patch of water.
Then after the show from the Kingfisher, a Hobby appeared hunting dragonflies over the mere. Unfortunately I wasn't in the best place to get good views but managed a record as it zipped past.
The Spurgin Hide wasn't finished though, a Grass Snake was picked up swimming across the open water, heading for the reeds.
Tasting the air as it swam.
Having not seen a Grass Snake for many years, I have seen two well this year. This was a small one probably around three feet long, they can grow to as much as six feet.
Time was against us with the reserve closing soon. We left the Spurgin Hide after one of the best times I can recall in there for sometime. We walked along Kathy's Path and found a very smart Golden-ringed Dragonfly. This is the country's largest dragonfly and for me one of the most spectacular.
A really good day, maybe not the rarer birds you would expect at this time of year, but some quality birds and the surprise of the Grass Snake.
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