Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
It was the last day of the month and I couldn’t resist popping down to Titchfield Haven for a possible Avocet to add to my month list. I finished work around 11am and so I took the drive down to Titchfield Haven and parked up by the seawall.
The tide was up within the Solent and a pair of fishing Little Terns very close in to where I sat greeted me almost immediately. There was quite a gusty wind blowing from the east but with the protection of the car as a windshield, viewing was made easy as I scanned the south scrape for Avocets.
I was in luck as I found at least four birds feeding on the water, including three birds chasing each other over the Scrape. The Gulls have virtually taken over the Tern rafts but a few Common Terns were still lingering in the area. Also, a couple of Med Gulls were seen amongst the many Black-headed Gulls.
Two pairs of Shoveler were seen on the pool, but apart from Mallards, no other interesting wildfowl. Over the reserve, a Common Buzzard was causing alarm amongst the birds resting below within the fields. The poor Buzzard was being mobbed by crows all the time and even other birds were taking a swipe at it. I couldn’t pick out any Hobbies but plenty of Swifts and Swallows were seen in the hazy sky. Finally, a female Linnet was seen perched on a bramble nearby.
After this trip, I fancied my luck again for Corn Bunting around Hoe Cross, but yet again, I dipped out as none were heard or seen. I also tried my luck behind Old Winchester Hill, from the comfort of the car, of course, but again there were no sign of any. Worrying times!
Of major local interest, a Glossy Ibis was found by Siddlesham Ferry Pool this afternoon and then flew over Pagham Harbour and settled on the Breach Pool. I text Geoff Farwell, but whether he went for it or not I don’t know. A drake Garganey was present there also.
