Monday was colder than we have seen so far this year, today surpassed that with ice and frost on the car. But on a positive note the skies were clear and there was lovely golden light from the sun.
I headed back to Titchfield Haven and after checking in walked around the harbour. High tide was just before noon, but the water in the harbour was high and the Turnstones were looking for a safe roost site. This one on the slipway.
In the bay that is not Duck Bay, a Common Gull was preening on one of the posts.
Close to the shore where the sun couldn't reach the water was frozen, at the back of the bay the long staying drake Goosander was snorkeling, looking for fish.
I walked on to the reserve and into the Meon Shore hide. However the water on the scrape was frozen with only a small open space in the north west corner. Here gathered the Teal and a single Avocet.
Little point staying, I walked around to the Pumfrett Hide, on the way a Marsh Harrier came up from the area on the sea side of the path. Next a big surprise, a Swallow flying through the trees and moving south as it headed out towards the Solent.
From the Pumfrett hide, a Grey Heron was fishing in the open water.
Some of the Wigeon swimming in the open water.
I walked on, hoping the water in front of the Spurgin hide was open. The water was not as iced as the scrape but aside from a Grey Heron in the reed mace, not that many birds. I settled in and waited to see what would happen. After awhile a Kestrel flew close and low past the hide and then flew up to the tree on the left hand side of the hide.
A Buzzard distracted me and when I looked back at the tree, the Kestrel had been replaced by a Grey Heron.
The Kestrel was relocated in a tree to the left of the hide.
Then a Sparrowhawk, a male, was found in a bush close to the Kestrel.
But then, very obligingly it flew toone of the Kingfisher posts in the middle of the mere.
It was nice to get a male bird for a change, the dark grey blue back and rufous barring looking very smart, and also a chance to appreciate the smaller size of the bird. Then of course the bright yellow eyes.
It then turned around to face us. There is a ring on the bird's right leg, but it is not readable.
It then flew off, into the channel that is out of sight, and was then seen coming back and heading towards the south scrape.
For the rest of the time in the hide it was back to staring at the reeds. A Stonechat appeared on the top of the reed mace, while there was of course the obligatory Marsh Harrier, but the light was awful.
I left the Spurgin Hide and walked back to the entrance, I was going to look at the beach, but decided to return to the Meon Shore hide when the male Goosander flew from the bay back on to the south scrape with its Shelduck mate once again.
From the hide the Goosander was at the back of the scrape. A lot of the ice had melted and the duck were spread out and they were being joined by others coming in from the river. The Shoveler looking smart in the sunshine.
One or two landed on the ice that wasn't thick enough to support them and they was fall through, but then have to struggle to break through it to reach the open water.
Four Shelduck on the island to the right of the hide.
A male Marsh Harrier came over the north scrape, contrasting against the dark clouds, highlighted by the afternoon sun.
Leaving the hide he view from the road was stunning, dark distant clouds and the reed bed lit up by the sunshine.
The tide was falling and I walked around to the exposed beach behind the sailing club, the sun still had an hour to go before sunset, but was creating some wonderful scenes across the Solent.
Out on the sea, a raft of fifteen Eider.
On the beach, there were Sanderling and Turnstone and this single Ringed Plover.
A cold brisk day, a reminder that we are in winter. The light was fantastic and there were some special moments with the Sparrowhawk and Shoveler.
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