26th August - Titchfield Haven, Hampshire

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.

Lovely punky crest.

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.

And it continued.

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.

A lovely background.

Looking for a perch.

And settling down.

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.

14th August - Titchfield Haven, Hampshire

From the Crofton Cemetery it was a short drive to the Haven, the destination I had originally set off for.  Parking was still available along Cliff road and looking out over the promenade at Hill Head the tide was still out.  I made my way to the Cabin and for once there was a bird on the river from the balcony, a Little Egret on a perch that was probably set up for something smaller and more colourful.

As I walked around the harbour, I could see the Goosander in the water.  This is the male Goosander that has been around the reserve for the last three year.  At this time of year it goes into eclipse plumage and sports a red head.  The give away that this is a male is the white panel on the wings.

It was snorkelling and diving into the flowing water.

It swam close to the shore and started to bathe in and preen in the water which was followed by the inevitable wing flap.

At this moment I thought the primary wing feathers were still too short for flight.

Walking around to the west side entrance there were plenty of terns moving to and fro from the scrape to the sea.  The number of Common Terns moving now swelled by the juveniles that were now flying.

The water levels on the south scrape had risen, the water having to be pumped in.  These are being maintained to fight off the avian botulism that has been responsible for quite a few deaths around the reserve.

The Common Sandpipers were still on the small island in front of the hide.  In total there were three around the scrape, two here.

An immature Turnstone flew on to the island, unusual to see and the Common Sandpipers were not pleased and chased it away.

The three young Common Terns were still present.  Two are flying and were sitting on the wooden frame while the youngest was still on the island and taking it in turn to shelter under the tile or wade out into the water.

The 'imposter' is also still around and still trying to feed the young terns who are continuing to ignore its advances.

Continually coming back with the same fish.

And then being chased by the parent terns.

It would stand on the island with the fish but the young tern would not come anywhere near it.

The usual waders around the scrape, alongside the Common Sandpipers were Avocet, Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.  Amongst the terns a couple of Sandwich Terns.

There were the squabbles around the scrape which produce some spectacular aerobatics.

Black-tailed Skimmers and Southern Hawkers flew past the hide as well as a Painted Lady and the expected Clouded Yellow.

It was true to say things were quiet and it was also very hot.  I decided to make my way back to the car, but stopped on the road where the adult Common Gull was sitting on the same post

The tide was now well up, but the Goosander was still in the harbour and showing well.

It swam up to the slipway and then decided it can fly and flew off out on to the river.

On the harbour walls there were quite a few Turnstone and were showing off their summer plumage in the sunshine.

The water levels fluctuating is a problem, now high not attractive to waders, but it will dry out again unless there is rain and the dry mud is no good for waders as well.  This summer is really playing out as interesting.