I opted for Titchfield again this morning as the weather looked a little dodgy and there was always the shelter from the hides to fall back on. There was also the outside chance that the Red-rumped Swallow seen on Sunday might be about, but the chances were looking slim from the negative reports posted this morning.
As I approached the A32 junction with the Ropley Road I noticed a Brown Hare in the field close to the road. Fortunately there was a pull in available and I pulled over and managed to get to the camera without disturbing the hare.
One of my favourites and this one seemed unconcerned by me and started to have a wash and brush up. Probably wet from the dew and rain of the night before.
And a clean and stretch for the toes.
I left the hare to its ablutions and made my way to Titchfield. Fortunately I was able to park along Cliff Road, so I dropped down the steps to the sea wall. The tide was starting to draw out and there were a pair of Oystercatcher in the water and they appeared to be swimming, not something I have seen before.
I walked around to the spit behind the sailing boats in the hope that there might be some Sanderling, however the only birds were a pair of Common Tern showing nicely on a groyne.
And two Oystercatcher that were probably the same two I had seen swimming earlier.
I went to the west entrance and the Meon Shore hide. It was pretty much like I had encountered Saturday, the island dominated by the Black-headed Gulls and Avocet feeding in front of the hide.
What was of interest were the Swifts that were hawking at the back of the scrape and occasionally coming closer across the south scrape. These were the largest group I have seen so far this year and were joined by a few Swallow. As always the Swift present a challenge to try and get an acceptable shot. These were the best I could do over the time I was in the hide.
Saved the best until last? Probably.
The Common Terns were showing off as well.
This pair engaging in acrobatic displays together high above the scrape.
A little more standard.
I love the way they lower the tail and bring the streamers of the fork in as they come in to land.
There were two pairs of Sandwich Terns in amongst the Common Terns and also quite a few Buzzards high above the reserve. A more recent sight has been the presence of three Tufted Duck pairs on the scrape, these ducks breed later than others so we may see some ducklings, if they can evade the marauding Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
I walked around to the Knight's Bank hide to see if the Swifts were any closer there. I thought that I could watch them and have lunch. Unfortunately nobody told the Swifts. But there was a nice show of Marsh Harriers. A male and maybe a female although it could be an immature male Marsh Harrier.
Although the female type was calling a lot, so maybe it was the male's mate?
The male scattering the gulls on the Frying Pan.
News then came in of a sighting of the Red-rumped Swallow at Posbrook so I was off there more in hope than anything else. When we arrived there wasn't any positive news, seen by one person and there did seem to be some doubt. There were plenty of hirundines distant above the trees and a few Swallows came past as we stood on the Canal Path.
Unfortunately it wasn't to be and I had to go. There were no more sighting in my absence, so I didn't miss out today. Its the middle of May and anything can show up, remember last May?
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