Back at Titchfield Haven today and as I walked around to the west side of the reserve I was wondering what the water levels would be like on the south scrape when a flock of Cormorants flew in from the sea and headed up the valley, probably to the Frying Pan. Interestingly the lead bird has its mouth open and the gullet full of, probably, air.
Into the Meon Shore hide and a first look showed the levels to be a little lower, there was mud visible and of course the Common Sandpiper on the island in front of the hide.
Another wader on the island was a single Black-tailed Godwit, and at first sight it did not look well, lying prone on the ground, head and neck out stretched and the eyes closed.
Initially thought it might be another victim of the avian Botulism that has been killing birds on the two scrapes.
But then it stood up and seemed to be fine.
Then it was seen to walk across the island and into the water on the other side of the island, and initially started to feed inthe shallow water.
But then a chance to preen so it appears all was well with the bird.
Feeding close in front of the hide, a Lapwing showing some nice reflections.
It was a surprise to see a Common Gull on th eperches in front of the hide, but welcome.
The gulls and terns all went up as they seem to do for no reason, but they alos took quite a few duck with them and it was nice to see these two Shoveler flying around the scrape.
These duck are in eclipse plumage, which can confuse at this time of year, but you can see two features here with these duck, the large 'shoveler' bill and the sky blue speculum.
It won't be long until the males are looking resplendent in their breeding plumage.
Scanning through the Common Terns on the scrape there was this Sandwich Tern, one of four present.
Things seemed to be quiet around the scrape, but as always seems to be the way, something happens and from nowhere a Cattle Egret appeared and it had perched on one of the posts in the water in front of island D, which happens to be a favourite perch site for the Common Terns.
As a result the terns started to dive bomb the egret and the Cattle Egret was seen to be taking evasive action with its bill.
Ducking down showing off the remains of the orange brown breeding plumage on the crest.
The Common Tern though never coming close to the egret's bill.
But a chance to get close to the Cattle Egret and to see the eyes that take on a binocular view rather than being on the side of the head.
The Common Terns kept coming.
Eventually the Cattle Egret had enough of the attention from the terns and flew off, heading up the valley towards the meadow and the Highland Cattle.
There was also activity amongst the Common Terns themselves, the squabbles continue, despite the end of the breeding season and this produced some wonderful aerial interaction
Here it looks as if the bills have actually touched.
There were a few Mediterranean Gulls around the scrape, several juvenile birds and this sub adult, showing the black edges to the primaries.
Another Common Gull bathing in the fresh water of the scrape.
I had seen the Sandwich Terns earlier but I was listening out for them to be able photograph in flight. One duly delivered flying around the scrape and in front of the hide.
Sandwich Terns look much whiter as well as being a little larger in the air than the Common Terns, the call is also very distinctive.
But then heading out, past the hide, to the Solent.
There were two Common Sandpipers around the scrape and one returned to the island in front of the hide and it settled in the water just off the island.
And then a bathe in which it completely submerged.
A Snipe appeared on the right hand side of the hide and then flew into the bay and out of sight, but then flew across in front of the hide and settled in front of the reeds on the left hand side.
Snipe have been far and few between this late summer, so it was nice to see this one out in the open.
Once again if you are prepared to sit it out something will happen here and that was certainly the case today.
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