My first full day our of the month and I decided on Titchfield. There is always a chance something will turn up and this is also one of the best times and place to see Osprey and I have yet to see one this year.
As I walked around to the west side there was a constant stream of hirundines coming from the west and heading into a south east breeze. I could only see Swallows and Sand Martins, no sign of any House Martins.
I headed for the Meon Shore hide and once again had the hide to myself. Last visit no Avocet, this morning a single bird feeding in front of the hide.
Then once again, for no reason I could see, all the waders went up, revealing that there were in fact thirty two Avocet on the scrape. Here a few of them.
Heading out to sea were a couple of Sandwich Terns, with one showing really well.
The waders spooking like they had has the act of shaking everything up and moving some that were previously hidden. One of those was one of the two Ruff present, which appeared by the reeds on the left hand side of the hide.
I then picked up the two Grey Phalaropes that had been present for the week, These are an adult bird with a juvenile. The adult bird is on the left with the clean grey markings with the black stripe through the eye. The juvenile on the right with the buff wash on the throat.
They preened and bathed in the shallow water, then swam to the right side of the scrape, showing the difference in the plumage.
Then as quickly as they appeared they were gone and were picked up later on the north scrape, but distant from the hides.
A Common Sandpiper appeared from nowhere, settling on the island in front of the hide
Then the waders all went up again, this time a Sparrowhawk appearing from behind the hide. It didn't seem to be actively hunting and turned and headed off towards the west hide. About ten minutes later it returned, coming in from the westlow over the scrape and scattering everything once again.
The phalaropes appeared once again, this time a little closer, but didn't stay long before heading back to the north scrape. This is the adult.
There had been reports of Hobbies from the meadow, so I decided to try my luck on the east side of the reserve. Walking along the boardwalk there were Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Small White butterflies.
I decided to watch from the Meadow Hide. Soon after arriving all the large gulls were up and as I scanned in amongst them I picked out an Osprey, exactly what I had hoped for today.
Here it was being mobbed by a Lesser Black-backed Gull.
It shook off the attentions of the gulls and headed closer to the hide showing very well.
Stopping to hover and start to dive before pulling out.
It then soared around before heading back towards the Frying Pan.
Over the Frying pan a few circles then a hover and dive. Here is a sequence of events as it drops towards the water.
I lost focus as it went below the trees and into the water. There was a wait and then eventually the Osprey appeared with its catch, a sizeable fish.
A lot of speculation over what the fish was, but the consensus of opinion was a Grey Mullet, one of their favourite prey.
So the perfect end to the day, the bird I was hoping for and some great views too.
