13th November - Titchfield Haven, Hampshire

I have said it before so I will say it again, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and thinking you will get a different outcome.  So with a clear blue morning with a lovely autumnal sun and light winds I headed back to Titchfield Haven and made my way to the Spurgin Hide in the hope that just maybe the Penduline Tits would show.  They were seen briefly the day before, albeit at the back of the pong amongst the reedmace.  The view from the hide as I settled in was very different from the last visit on Tuesday.

The only bird in the first hour was a Grey Heron standing on the branches in the water.  The reflections in the water complimenting the scene.

Later it seemed to be throwing a pellet.

The one bit of excitement through the morning was a female Stonechat appearing on one of the dead branches a Penduline Tit had been photographed on the day before.

After three hours I had enough and, insane I moved on.  The Pendulines were not seen all day so my decision was justified, but that doesn't say I won't be back.

Walking around the path the sun was warm and so was the air, bizarre for almost the middle of November.  To emphasise the point a male Common Darter settled on one of the sawn logs.

I decided to check out the Meon Shore Hide, where the Teal were still present in the huge numbers.

A Marsh Harrier cruised above the reeds alongside the river.

A drake Shoveler feeding on the water close to the hide.

Low tide had just finished and the water was starting to creep back up the beach.  It was stunning day.

Along the tide line and across the mud was a good sized flock of Sanderling.  It was a case of kneel down low and let this lovely waders come to you, and they did, completely accepting of me.

The Sanderling flushed by a dog.

Brent Geese were flying up and down the beach as they were also disturbed by the dog walkers.

A Black-headed Gull was with the Sanderling, looking like a  mother hen guarding here chicks, but this gull was looking for a free meal delivered by the Sanderling.

A Little Egret fishing in the surf.

Back to the Sanderlings on the beach.

Leaving the beach I returned to the road and checked out the bay.  A Redshank in the reed reflection.

And a Little Egret was fishing in the shallow water, the white plumage enhanced by the deep blue of the water.

A Grey Mullet just under the surface of the water.

Again the wonderful reflections around the Little Egret.

Taking off to hunt another area.

There were a couple of Common Gulls on the posts, one flew off and headed out to the sea.

A drake Shoveler snoozing in the sunshine.

At the harbour bridge there were three Little Grebes.  Again some lovely reflections of the reeds and blue sky.  

From the bay I walked around to the east side of the reserve and headed to the Meadow Hide.  In front of the hide were two Curlew feeding in the long grass.

About 10 years ago there would be good numbers of Curlew on this meadow, but their numbers dwindled and in the last few years they were not seen here.  Last year one Curlew appeared, this year the number has increased to two, and even a report, not ratified of four in the meadow.

Scanning the meadow, amongst the Canada Geese were Egyptian Geese.  I counted 28, which is the highest number I have seen here at Titchfield.  The numbers of Egyptians is gradually increasing everywhere in the county.

Also amongst the Canada Geese were three Greylags.

The five Glossy Ibis were present in the morning, this afternoon I could only see two at the back of the field.

Another feature of the meadow was the flock of Stock Dove, this was just a small group of a large number of doves in the meadow.

As I left the reserve I thought I would check the beach behind the sailing club.  The tide was still out, but rising.  Once again there were Sanderling feeding amongst the pools along with Turnstone and Ringed Plover.  Again it was a chance to get low with the Sanderling.

Its the time of year when Sanderlings show so well.

A larger pool with some reflection.

So, no Penduline Tits, but some great photo opportunities in some great autumnal light.