Another day of heavy rain showers forecast so I arranged to meet Ian today back at Titchfield Haven once more. We walked to the visitor centre, checked in then headed for the west side once more and the Meon Shore hide.
All quiet on the scrape, while at the back over the reeds a female type Marsh Harrier was hunting, it is difficult to be sure about the sex at this time of year.
The small island to the left of the hide is a favourite haunt for Snipe at this time of year and there were at least fifteen settled on the island, their plumage providing excellent camouflage on the similar coloured grass and reeds on the island.
These were on the edge and were a little harassed by a passing egret.
This pose, pre flight preparations.
This gives some idea of the way these waders merge into the background.
Several feeding in the shallow water near the reeds.
Common Sandpiper have been regular ober the last few months.
One Snipe flew from the island and settled in the cut reeds just below the hide.
All the Lapwing on the scrape went up and as they settled one was not happy with a Rook that appeared to be looking to settle on the islands. The Rook flew around the islands and as it tried to land the Lapwing or the birds on the island chased it off.
The Gadwall appear to have completed their annual moult, but the other ducks are still to catch up. The male Shoveler appears to be almost their, still a couple of weeks maybe until it is perfect.
The Teal are probably not too far away, this male looking good.
A heavy rain shower covering the Teal with loads of water droplets.
This drake was looking immaculate and was chasing and displaying to the many ducks.
An immature Lapwing on the small island in front of the hide. The light brown fringes to the feathers indicating the age.
For once everything went up on the scrape, including these three Avocet.
The reason for it became clear when Ian picked up an Osprey at the back of the north Scrape, in the area where we had last seen it on Saturday. It was attracting the attention of crows and magpies as it dived several time in the area of the Frying Pan.
The Osprey was out of sight and attention turned to a Marsh Harrier that was coming towards the hide along the reeds by the river.
It then turned across the scrape in front of the hide.
The Osprey hadn't re-appeared and we made the decision to walk around to the east side of the reserve in the hope that the Osprey would appear over the Frying Pan. We made it just in time as yet another heavy rain shower came over and sending a rainbow over the trees along the Canal Path.
A Sparrowhawk, one of the immature birds flew across in front of the hide from left to right.
More heavy rain and as it passed yet another rainbow.
Along the fence to the west of the hide there were several birds, here a Whitethroat.
And at least five Stonechats were present too.
We gave the Osprey a good amount of time to show, but it didn't appear and we had to assume that it was either hunkered down or had moved on hidden from view. We went back to the west side and walked all the way to the Spurgin Hide. Settling in once more a Great Egret appeared over the reeds and flew towards the open water of the Eleven Acre Mere.
Settling into the water in front of us in the hide.
Another heavy shower came over and it was a surprise to see the Marsh Harrier appear and drift past the hide.
Something upset the duck on the Frying Pan and they could be seen flying with the strong wind past us and towards the Scrape. Gadwall.
And two pair of Shoveler.
Then a shrill whistle and the Kingfisher arrived, settling first on the perch on the other side of the open water. Then flew to a perch close to the hide. The wind ruffling the feathers on the back of the head.
I was in a different position in the hide and this provided a different background to frame the kingfisher.
Then flew to another perch to the left of the hide.
Another different background.
Here you can see the nictitating membrane that goes across the eye, the Kingfisher flicking this every so often. Here it shows as a dull sheen to the eye.
It was then a whistle and the Kingfisher was off leaving us with just the Great Egret in front of the hide.
Then a the Marsh Harrier returned, hanging in the strong wind just in front of the hide. This time the rain held off.
It has been a good day for views of the Marsh Harrier.
All day there had been a steady movement of Sand Martin, all heading south from up the valley into the strong south westerly wind.
We left the hide and headed to the Meon Shore, but stopped off in the Pumfrett hide. There was nothing special from the hide, but it was nice to see the reeds had been cut and you can now watch the North Scrape.
Settling into the Meon Shore once more, Ian picked up a raptor over the Spurgin Hide and it turned out to be a Hobby, probably the same bird we had seen last Saturday. Unfortunately it stayed at distance and eventually disappeared.
To the left of the hide a Little Egret was hunting in the dark water, providing a lovely reflection.
Another good day at Titchfield, apologies for more Kingfisher photographs but at least there were some different backgrounds and poses. It was nice to see some quality views of marsh Harrier too.
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