Phil and I had made a plan to meet up Saturday before dawn at Silverlake (Warmwell Gravel Pits) car-park and set out on a quest for life birds for Phil! A laptop failure has prevented completion of this post! I have my fingers crossed that the computer can be fixed without losing too much data! Thank you Phil for allowing use of your photos!
A Lesser Scaup at Longham Lakes was the first life bird of the day. Roly Pitts and Chris Corteaux had made a similar arrangement meeting at our destination. We walked onto the south lake path to search amongst the numerous wildfowl for the bird. The search was a short one as Steve Carey was already in position photographing the bird. Wildfowl included Pochard, Wigeon, and Teal, with Great and Little Egret, and Great Crested Grebe on the lake. A Water Rail was heard squealing from the reed-beds!
A Lesser Yellowlegs at Keyhaven Marshes RSPB was lifer number two for Phil. It wasn’t long before we had entered the neighboring county of Hampshire and were walking past wild horses, en-route to view the bird. The bird had flown from the marsh and after a change of route we had good but distant views of our quarry. The Lesser Yellowlegs was noticeably smaller and daintier than the Redshank that seemed irritated by its presence. The bird moved quickly feeding with a short sweeping action of its bill on the water.
Dark Bellied Brent Geese were also noted in flight with Grey Plover and Dunlin on the spit viewed from the sea wall. Pintail, and Black Tailed Godwit were noted on the first pool with an assortment of wildfowl.
The Snow Bunting at Hamworthy Beach was to complete the hat-trick of lifers. The bird was very tame and oblivious to people and dogs that were enjoying playing in the sand. It appeared to be playing with a small stick briefly looking at us to check we were still paying attention!
The day had been very enjoyable but there was time for a final stop at Holes Bay to watch the shorebirds and wildfowl get pushed closer to the shoreline with the incoming tide. Representing the shorebirds were Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Redshank and Dunlin, and wildfowl Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, and Mallard. A Spotted Redshank had been reported but could not be found before the light faded!
A fantastic days birding in great company!
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