30th April - Normandy Marsh and Lagoon, Hampshire - Part One

Last day of April and a clear blue sky and a very fresh easterly wind as I left home and when I arrived at Normandy Lane I thought maybe I should have headed for the coast as there were some great records of skuas moving.  I was here for the terns, Little Tern in particular.  

After parking in the lane I headed out past the eight acre pond and then on to Normandy.  The wind was very strong and took the edge off the temperature and on the lagoon the birds were using what shelter they could find.  On the first pool there were Bar-tailed Godwits in various stages of summer plumage and a few Avocet.  As I walked at the bottom path I picked up the only Swift of the day over the lagoon.

There were very good numbers of Common Terns on the islands and every so often they would take to the air and circle around the marsh.

Dunlin, almost all in summer plumage fed a little way from the south path around the marsh.

Redshank were feeding in the ditch below the path and flew up to the post.  This one colour ringed.

It flew off and was then joined by another bird, probably a mate, not ringed.

It proceeded to call.

A single Avocet feeding close to the path, at this time of year it probably has a mate sitting on eggs somewhere close by.

As well as the skuas moving today there were good numbers of waders moving too.  This almost summer plumaged Grey Plover had probably dropped in some time this morning.

Then the first close view of Little Tern, the bird I had hoped to see today.

The bat like flapping flight as it hovered over the open water with a lovely dark green background.

There were quite a few Little Terns scattered around the islands, good to see this delightful little sea bird thriving well here, lets hope they can have a successful breeding season.

With the sun on my back and being able to shelter from the cold wind on the lower path I stayed pretty much in the same place for the whole visit.

Grey Plover flew through with several showing off their breeding plumage.

Whilst not quite a complete breeding plumage, this Grey Plover looked quite smart feeding close to me on the path.

Another unusual wader here was a pair of Sanderling, again probably a product of the wader movement here today.

One of the Sanderling showing the start of its breeding plumage.

Off with a Dunlin.

An unwelcome visitor on the lagoon, an adult Great Black-backed Gull and it doesn't look happy.

The reason, Common Terns on the attack.

Then joined by a Black-headed Gull.

Finally it was off, but no doubt this will be a fearsome predator as the eggs start hatching around the reserve.

Some more Little Tern action over the lagoon.

I wasn't going far, but there was plenty of photographic opportunities.  Overall I took a hell of a lot of images while here so I have split the posts in to parts one and two.  The rest of this day will now be a seperate post.

20th January - Titchfield Haven, Hampshire

From Lee-on-the Solent I drove around to Titchfield Haven.  Down by the sea the wind was quite strong, something I didn't realise while watching the Black Redstart.  After checking in I walked around to the harbour.  The tide was due to be high around midday, but with the fresh southerly wind it was already very high and there were Sanderling and Ringed Plover already on the beach on the spit on the other side of the harbour.

The Turnstone were already looking for somewhere to see out the tide as well and they were all over the pavement and road while a few were claiming the wall alongside the sluice.

On the other side of the harbour bridge there was a drake Gadwall enjoying the morning sunshine, safely tucked away from the wind.

From the Meon Shore hide there was a good number of birds on the south scrape, with the waters high after the recent rain.  With the islands almost under water the gulls were spread across the water, mostly Black-headed Gulls there were fourteen Common Gulls and a single Mediterranean Gull.

Once again there were good numbers of Lapwing across the reserve with large flocks seen over the distant meadow and quite a few on the south scrape.  Again with dry land a premium there were scraps between Lapwing.

A Snipe flew in and found some space amongst the old reed stems, avoiding the Lapwing.

Once again the Lapwing were constantly taking to the air and taking a lot of the other birds with them.  There was no predator threat so maybe they were just enjoying the strong wind and were playing?

The Lapwing were a trick to catch all together, but the Black-tailed Godwits put on a great show for the camera.

As they broke away I was able to catch some of the godwits away from the flock.

The light was perfect and the darker grey skies at the back of the reserve helped provide the perfect background.

These next two shots were my favourites.

Reminds me of the cover to "Shorebirds" that was published in the late eighties.

The Wigeon were also spooked and were circling the scrape.

Some of the Lapwing when the flew around the area close to the hide.

At one point there were four Great Black-backed Gulls on one of the small islands and they would be chased by the Lapwing.

Plenty of Shoveler around the scrape and they would fly into the bay behind the hide.

Once again everything went up and this time the Shelduck and lone male Goosander on the causeway moved onto the water of the scrape.

As it reached midday the light at the Spurgin hide was much better so I decided to walk around and spend some time, a chance to each lunch while waiting for the Marsh Harriers.

One appeared almost immediately.  I think this may be an immature male. it has the buff head but lacks any buff and orange in the wings.

But it then remained quiet and I was left with watching the Coot.  A pair appeared to have a grudge with a single bird and constantly chased it away.  I could see a ring on one of the Coot but couldn't get any clear view to read the details.  Not a bird I photograph that often.

Two Marsh Harriers appeared over the Frying Pan area.

The two birds interacting.

Watching the Marsh Harriers I picked up a single Fieldfare on one of the bushes.

With my time running out I walked back and popped into the Meon Shore hide to see if there was anything about.  For once the Wigeon were out on the water closer to the hide.

Despite the tide being at its highest two hours ago the sea was still splashing over the sea wall.  The bay on the other side of the road was calm and a Little Grebe was diving around the reeds.

Walking past the harbour the sea was splashing against the groynes.

The end of what was a really good day, a dry one in amongst some horrible weather forecast.  It was great to get some special flight shots, making a change from some of the standard photos.