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I notched up four more month ticks today, which took my total for the month up to 97 species. Titchfield Haven NR was where I went today for mostly Terns, but from the Hides, I was hoping for the unexpected. Glorious weather again, today, with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. There has been a few interesting sightings recently here including Temmincks Stint and Spoonbill, so I was hoping for something good.
After purchasing my day pass in the shop, I was intrigued to see that a Norfolk Hawker dragonfly, a first for Hampshire, was seen last month which goes to prove that anything can turn up anywhere.
Parking up by the shoreline, the tide was high within the Solent and at least 50+ Turnstone were resting on the beach. A pair of Common Terns, an adult and a juvenile, also rested on the groynes close by. Both Common and Sandwich Terns were seen flying overhead. While walking to the shop, a flock of four, possibly five, Yellow Wagtails were seen flying overhead and over the reserve.
From the Meonshore Hide, there were good numbers of both waders and wildfowl on the scrape. Of the waders present, the most present were around 80+ Oystercatchers resting on one of the islands and at least 30+ Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the shallow water. Common Snipe showed well close to the hide with at least six birds counted in front of this hide. A single Common Sandpiper was seen between the islands, flying from one to another now and then. My next month tick to be seen was a Sedge Warbler, which perched on a reed stem on a small island then disappeared into the vegetation. Calling Bearded Tits could be heard to the right of the hide and one bird was seen well flying over the small reedbed but quickly disappearing into the reeds.
The wildfowl was dominated by the Canada Geese, which heavily outnumbered all species. Amongst them was one of the Bar-headed Geese, which has been seen often around the south coast. A couple of resident Barnacle Geese joined the throng and an albino goose (not a Snow Goose) was also seen. Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and two Wigeon were seen amongst the smaller wildfowl.
From the Spurgin Hide, it was fairly quiet with a few Teal asleep on a small island and a Little Egret feeding nearby. But out popped my second Water Rail of the year, a fine adult, but quickly disappeared again within the reedbeds. Dragonflies showed well with Emperors, Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters abundant along the footpaths.
Left, juvenile Common Tern on the beach by the Solent and right, a Common Snipe feeding on the Scrape in front of the Meonshore Hide, this afternoon.
