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Farlington Marshes and Langstone Harbour, Hampshire.
After listening to Pompey’s goalless draw with Liverpool at Fratton Park this afternoon, I was at a loose end and so I took Daniel with me to Farlington Marshes for a look on the Lake. Again, it was a glorious sunny afternoon with a cloudless sky and a high tide, which was now on its ebb, when I arrived at the car park at 4pm.
Very interesting news was of a Snow Goose with Pink-footed Goose being tracked all the way down the north eastern coast to finally settle at Holkham, North Norfolk! I need Snow Goose still for a ‘Life tick’, but because of my schedule for the next three days, I might have to dip. Lets hope it hangs around.
As expected, there was good interest on the Lake with plenty of waders resting on the shallow waters to sift through for something unusual. However, it was fairly quiet, with no Curlew Sandpipers or Little Stints present amongst the many Dunlins scattered around the area. Amongst the good numbers of Redshank present, several Greenshank were seen, whilst around 20 birds flew out into the harbour. Unfortunately, I couldnt pick out a Spotshank amongst the Redshank, though I was sure I did hear one. Despite a lengthy check at the back of the Lake for Spotted Crake, I wasn’t to be obliged. Groan! Plenty of Common Snipe by the edge of the reedbeds though which kept me on my toes.
Out in the fields, perched on one of the fence posts, was my first Merlin, a female, of the Autumn. This was a long staying bird, which has been around for the past three weeks, but the first time I have got to see it. She sat there all the time Daniel and I were present, occasionally preening herself but probably digesting a nice meal caught earlier.
I also clocked my first Pintail of the month amongst other wildfowl close to the viewing point resting and preening. Overhead, a small flock of 15 Wigeon flew past then settled on the Stream area. The tide was now on the way out fast and the waders were all flying off out into Langstone Harbour. A couple of Knot followed the Dunlin, Redshank etc into the harbour as well as a count of at least 20 Greenshank. I thoroughly checked the fences surrounding the Lake for any passerines but I only got some Linnets for my efforts.
The Pectoral Sandpiper is still at Pulbourough Brooks for a third day which sounds very tempting and a Spoonbill was in front of the Meonshore Hide at Titchfield Haven for a second day. Bloody typical turning up a day after I had been there!
Left, a Knot amongst Grey Plover on the Lake this afternoon. Right, a distant shot of the female Merlin in the fields.
