Hayling Island and Farlington Marsh
Had a look in on Hayling Island, Hampshire today, to take a wander around the Mussel beds. Stopped off at the seafront to the south of the island, to see if there was anything at sea. Turned out there wasn't! (wrong weather I suppose), except a Great Crested Grebe and the usual gulls, Pigeons and Corvids. However, the presence of a Mediterranean Gull on the car park was a nice surprise, and brightened up an otherwize rubbish start to the day.
Followed this up with a visit to 'Hayling Billy', the Mussel beds. The tide being in meant that there was no room for all of the waders to land, so instead, they formed a massive swirling cloud, changing from a near sphericle mass, to long streaming waves. Pretty awe-inspiring. The birds present in the area included; 16 Red Breasted Meregansers, 3Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 28+ Brents (Bernicula), Dunlin, Redshank, Grey Plover, Oystercatchers, Knots, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, about 11 Little Egrets, Cormorants, Turnstones, a Grey Heron, Teal, Wigeon, GGreat Creasted Grebes, Curlew, a Kestrel and a Green Woodpecker on an electricity pilon. Not too bad.
Afterwards, I visited the local patch, Farlington Marsh. As well as the usuals (see above post and link), there was 1 Spotted Redshank on the pond, as well as 13 Ringed Plovers, 5 Golden Plovers, which were a new resident, 19 Avocets, 220+ BT Godwits and 5 Skylarks feeding in low cut grass. I saw 2 Red Breasted Meregansers on the sea. A total of 25 Little Egrets were present around the reserve, and a Black Brant was still present among the usual dark bellied Brents. 2 Bearded Tits were poking their heads up in the reeds along with Reeds Buntings.
Shame about the seawatching, but otherwise, a good days birding.
J Moss