After a couple of days to recuperate after the long journey home from Sri Lanka I was off to the familiar territory of the Titchfield Haven. The last few days had been quite stunning, it seemed like spring was finally with us with lovely warm temperatures. It was clear skies again today as I headed south, but unfortunately this is not always a good sign for Hampshire birds, with clear weather they just pass straight over us as the head north.
Still I was hopeful and walked down the east side of the reserve to the Knight's Bank hide. Settling in the female Kestrel appeared on the posts with a vole, but either dropped it, cached it or ate it as it was quickly gone.
A little later the male appeared i the tree close to the nest box.
Its not clear as yet if the birds are nesting, they don't spend an awful amount of time in the box, so probably not yet.
There were at least six Marsh Harriers showing over the reeds and it looked like there were at least two potential nesting sites. Joining the Harriers were several Buzzards, a Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk. On the meadow the usual Canada Geese, Lapwing and a single Curlew.
A Firecrest showed briefly alongside the hide and on the distant bramble bushes there was a very short glimpse of the Dartford Warbler.
The west side was calling me so I left the hide and walked around to the Meon Shore Hide. Before I got there I stopped for a very close Great Crested Grebe at the harbour bridge.
Looking down on the grebe you get a good view of the legs and their positioning at the back of the body.
It managed to catch a small flat fish.
Water levels on the south scrape were a little bit better than when I went away and the Black-headed Gulls were occupying what islands and shingle there was. But everything appeared to be gathering on the causeway and north scrape, including the male Goosander who was with its Shelduck mate. As a result I decided to walk around to the Pumfrett hide, where despite the sunshine there were good views of the Goosander.
the happy couple together, bizarre really, does the Goosander think it is a Shelduck or vice versa, who knows. The Goosander though is very protective of his female.
We are lucky to be able to get good views of this lovely duck.
A Marsh Harrier put in a brief appearance.
The other bird of interest on the causeway were the large number of Mediterranean Gulls. At this time of year they gather on the south coast and while we do not get the same high numbers seen in Langstone Harbour and Hayling Island over the last few years the numbers have increased here at Titchfield Haven. They pair up before moving on to breed elsewhere. This pair showing off plenty of synchronicity as they flew around the scrape.
The birds settle on the causeway and there are little squabbles as they get too close.
Aside form a Kittiwake I don't think there is a better looking gull in summer plumage, the brilliant white plumage looking wonderful in the sunshine.
Another welcome returning visitor were the Avocet with at least twenty on the scrapes and many paired up. The concern will be where they can find dry land to nest on as the water level is still high at high tide.
I stretched my legs with a walk to the Spurgin Hide. The yelping calls of the Mediterranean Gulls above me, the white plumage contrasted with the blue sky.
It was quiet in the Spurgin, no sign of any Marsh Harriers. The highlight being this flock of Wigeon circling between the meadow and the scrape.
Walking back tot he Pumfrett Hide a Peacock butterfly on the path.
Back in the Pumfrett Hide there were Snipoe in the cut reeds below the hide and a lovely drake Gadwall close in.
At the back of the North Scrape there was a group of Black-tailed Godwits, most of which were in breeding plumage.
Other godwits flying in to join them.
Good numbers of Shoveler around, several groups of males together, but also pairs where they were reinforcing the bonds with the bobbing heads display.
Males chasing a lone female around the scrape.
A nice wing flap in the sunshine.
The Goosander and its mate were asleep on the causeway, but the other Shelduck were still fighting over mates and territory.
I had to move on and I an and I walked around the sea wall towards the harbour, the tide was high and there was the Sanderling roost on the beach. Numbers reducing now from their peak at the height of the winter.
Offshore there were two drake Eider in full breeding plumage.
We walked to the end of the spit where we could get quite close and the Eider came even closer.
Wonderful to see the breeding plumage and in some great conditions, this plumage doesn't last that long and by the time summer is with us the males will be showing signs of eclipse once again.
Initially the morning felt a little underwhelming after the birds encounter while away, but gradually I fell back into my British birds and my love of photographing them.
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