HAVANT WILDLIFE GROUPREPORTS OF SATURDAY WALKS for 2014
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SATURDAY December 13th 2014 - NutbourneTony Wootton reports on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
"Lovely bright sunny day with little wind and some warmth on your face from the sunshine. 11 of us walked round anticlockwise in the hope of arriving at the end of the walk at Nutbourne in time to see the Avocets fly in. No such luck. However we did see, Brent, shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, pintail, pheasant, great crested grebe, little egret, heron, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, dunlin, blacktailed godwit, curlew, redshank, turnstone, blackheaded gull, woodpigeon, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, stonechat, blackbird, fieldfare, song thrush, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, goldfinch and reed bunting. 38 species. No greenshank."
SATURDAY December 6 2014 - Hayling OysterbedsChris Cope reports on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
"What a glorious day, sun shining, little wind and the water like a mill pond. With high tide at 11.14, 12 of us were treated to hundreds of birds roosting on the Oyster bed banks at North Hayling, a Rock Pipit and a spectacular murmuration of Dunlin. Male and female Goldeneye and Red-breasted Megansers were swimming and fishing together, there were also Little Grebe, Mallard and surprisingly a Garganey. Later we saw the two male Mergansers bowing and stretching in courtship display. Birds roosting included Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Grey Plover, Ring Plover,Turnstone, Oystercatchers, Little Egret, just 2 Curlew and one Heron. Out at sea, 3 Black-throated Divers, at least 17 Great Crested Grebe and a few Brent Geese. Lots of Robins, Dunnocks displaying, Sparrows, a Kestrel and a Kingfisher stayed for quite a while on the edge of the railway embankment leading to were the bridge used to be, a Skylark sang overhead and 4 Wigeon rounded off our day"
SATURDAY November 29th 2014 - Pulborough BrooksHeather Mills reports on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
"It turned out to be a lovely day for 6 to amble around Pulborough brooks, which was surrounded with flooded fields. 50 species seen, but not the usual winter varieties, that have been here in the past. Although Fieldfare had been reported, they eluded us. We set off in an anticlockwise walk towards the main lake and soon had good views of a Jay in an Oak. The feeders were not up for some reason at the front, so we had to look a bit harder for any small birds. A single Chiffchaff singing his one note, obviously thought that it was spring. Also the Mallard which was seen mating later on. We did get a good view of Treecreeper & Nuthatch early in the walk. The usual herd of deer were visible in an adjoining field. Great spots and Green woodpeckers were about.
Pink campion & Herb Robert were flowering, & we soon came across a reasonable Comma sunning itself, followed later with 2 fresh Brimstone, Peacock & Red Admiral. 3 darters were seen at one point and looked very like Ruddy. (Narrow waistband)The lake held hundreds of Wigeon, Teal, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing, Greylags and Canada geese, with a white farmyard type of goose, which we see at Farlington. A good variety of species with Gadwall, Shoveler and Pintail also present in reasonable numbers. A Sparrowhawk flew out of the trees from one of the hides, where we at last saw Stonechats."
SATURDAY November 15 2014 - Chichester Gravel Pits
Heather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group
"9 met on a changeable morning to start with light rain, but no wind. Sunshine later in time for coffee break with a shower & rainbow, all at the same time. We began by walking in a westerly direction and as we passed one garden that had a pile of cooking apples rotting in a heap, it was surrounded with wasps & other insects taking an interest. As we looked over east Trout Lake, instead of Trout some of us were able to discern a huge fish launching out of the lake. I could only think of a Pike, being long and silver colour. As we started to survey Copse lake, a Kestrel looked like it was chasing the Kingfisher who gave us good views as it skirted the edge of the lake under the tree cover, only to sit at the end fishing. This was one of at least 5 views of Kingfisher this morning and I certainly heard calls from 2 in a dispute, or more likely a male & female. On this lake there were the most Greylag that I have seen in recent visits, 77.
A strange duck dived regularly here but we did not know whether it had interbred and what with. Derek took pictures for possible I.D.
Brian's note: It looks like a female Red-crested Pochard with distinctive white cheeks and dark head. The white primaries show well on the first photo.
There were good views of family Great Crested with the juvenile still with a striped head pattern. Coots in abundance on every lake that we surveyed, and Tufted ducks with at least circa 40 Pochard on Ivy lake. To finish our visit we went north along a rubbish strewn path alongside the holiday homes. Here we had a very good view of a Tree Creeper and Goldcrest, with 3 Buzzards soaring overhead. 45 birds seen/heard."
SATURDAY November 1 2014 - WarsashHeather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group
"7 ventured along the coast to Warsash with a brisk westerly wind driving off the rain clouds to give us a bright start. The birds were not in abundance however, we did manage 41 species. The appearance of 4 or more Stonechats flitting along the bushes is always rewarding. We took a small break at the lake to check out the birds & were pleased to enjoy the sight of 4 or 5 male Pintails, together with many Teal, Wigeon and a few Lapwing. The Kingfisher made a fleeting appearance in front of us and quickly disappeared. Two local birders had seen 2 Dartfords earlier and were keenly on the lookout for anything unusual, as were we, but the Little owl also eluded us today. We did see a Buzzard eating a rabbit and close views of a Kestrel. A Red Kite had been seen lately. Many Red Admirals on the wing & one lone female Brimstone seen."
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 - 2014 - Blashford Lakes
In the interests of self preservation (high winds and heavy rain forecast for Keyhaven), Tony Wootton took the Havant Wildlife Group to went to Blashford and the safety of hides.
Lots of fungi, Puff balls, shaggy inkcap, earthstar, hoof, fly agaric, lawyers wig, to name the ones we could identify. Birds, we looked from the majority of the hides on both sides of the road and saw gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, coot, blue tit, shoveler, nuthatch, wigeon, g.s.woodpecker, robin, chiffchaff, b.h.gull, cormorant, little grebe, wren, mallard, moorhen, tufted duck, coal tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, collared dove, dunnock, black necked grebe, heron, swallow, common sandpiper, starling, egyptian goose, herring gull, yellow legged gull,lesser and greater blackbacked gulls, greylag, pheasant, longtail tits, goldcrest, teal, merganser, mandarin, buzzard, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon, blackbird,and 4 rats,and a very obliging kingfisher.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4 - 2014 - Salterns Copse
Heather Mills reported on today's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
Six intrepid souls met at Chichester Yacht Basin and proceeded down the canal to the harbour, across the lock to Salterns Copse before the wind increased, the clouds gathered and the heavens opened ! Fortunately the trees sheltered us for a coffee break before retreating back to the cars, with a welcomed stop at the bird hide .
The canal had the usual collection of mallards , coots and moorhens . A few swallows flew overhead and a grey wagtail sat on a sign post , whilst pied wagtails flew down from the roof ridge . In the harbour cormorants stood drying their wings , with great black backed gulls and an egret resting . Across the harbour were swans , oyster catchers , curlews , a green shank , then a flock of Brent geese flew by . Long tailed tits flew round us in the woods ; green and greater spotted woodpeckers were heard and a goldcrest was seen . On the return chaffinches , blue and great tits flew up into the bushes .
The highlight of the morning was seen from the hide : a kingfisher flew in and sat on the lower branch of a dead tree , diving several times into the water before flying off ( one had been seen earlier in the harbour ) . Cetti's warbler was heard and a water rail . A blacktailed godwit flew in and pheasants gathered in the field .
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 - 2014 - Farlington Marshes
Ros Norton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group
Today 12 members of the Wildlife Study Group did a walk around Farlington Marshes on a calm overcast morning. There were robins, greenfinches and goldfinches in the bushes and a flock of linnets and another large flock of starlings flew around. At the lake we were delighted to see several bearded tits. There were many wigeon, some teal and a spotted redshank flew in to feed. We had several sightings of a kestrel perching on posts and a bush. A green woodpecker also perched on posts in between feeding around ant hills. There was a group of yellow wagtails in thee grass by a small pond. Meadow pipits , wheatears and a whinchat were on marshes. In the harbour was a great crested grebe and on the little island by the point a roost of oystercatchers was seen with a few cormorants. High tide was at 10.05am. Also a group of little egrets and 4 herons were on an island and in the water nearby were many wigeon and 17 brent geese. Gadwall and black tailed godwits were among the coots and mallards in water near the hut.
Flowers included stone parsley, fennel, ragwort and bristly ox-tongue.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13 - 2014Hayling Island
Tony Wootton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
"5 members of the A team had a lovely stroll to the ferry and back. Pleasant sunshine and a gentle breeze. There was a absolute abundance of rose hips in the first half of the walk. We saw, vipers bugloss, storksbill, mallow, yarrow,plantain,spearthistle,gorse, perforated St.Johnswort, autumn hawkbit, bristly oxtongue,evening primrose, ladies bedstraw, bell heather,scentless mayweed,sea beet,wild carrot,sea aster,sea lavender, purslane, THRIFT, golden samphire, black knapweed,
Large white, southern hawker, speckled wood,common darter.
2 brent geese flew over heading west, swallow, house martins, blackheaded gulls, chiffchaff, cetti's and green woodpecker(heard only), coot, robin, wood pigeon, carrion crow, oystercatcher little egret, grey heron, starlings, common tern and magpie.
SATURDAY AUGUST 30 - 2014 - Thorney Island
Tony Wootton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group from Thorney Road to Thorney Great Deeps.
"11 of us had a bright and breezy walk from Thorney Road to the Great Deeps this morning. We saw
Insects-- common blue, small white, meadow brown, common darter, a blue hawker and a pair of mating beetles, probably bloody nosed.
Plants-- wild carrot, fleabane, guelder rose, black bryony, stone parsley, hemp agrimony, mallow, sea aster, sea lavender, golden samphire, buck's-horn plantain, field bindwind, slender hare's-ear, bristly oxtongue and sea plantain.
Birds(38) --carrion crow, swallow, magpie, woodpigeon, goldfinch,chaffinch, robin, whitethroat, wren, collared dove, greenfinch, starling, bluetit, blacktailed godwits, redshank, curlew, blackheaded gull, greenshank, whimbrel, oystercatcher, little egret, kestrel, turnstone, tufted duck, mute swan, coot, whinchat, linnet, dabchick(calling) great crested grebe, grey heron, cormorant, meadow pipit, common tern, mallard, stock dove and grey plover."
SATURDAY August 23, 2014 - Hollybank Woods
Ros Norton reported on yesterday's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group
On Saturday 11 members of the Wildlife Study Group explored Hollybank Woods which date back to the original wildwood of Britain and the ancient Forest of Bere on a sunny morning. Many flowering plants had seeded but we found in flower yellow pimpernel, foxglove, self heal, ling, nipplewort, fleabane, ragwort,enchanters nightshade, figwort, wood avens, herb robert,cudweed , red campion, yarrow and angelica. Tiny froglets were in a ditch .
Sulphur polypore or Chicken of the Woods fungi were seen growing on wood.
A spotted flycatcher was seen, also seen or heard were nuthatch, goldcrest, chiff chaff, bullfinch, marsh tit, long tailed tit, blue tit, and green woodpecker. A holly blue butterfly, red admiral and several speckled woods were seen.
SATURDAY August 16, 2014 - Old Winchester Hill
Heather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
"8 met up on a perfectly still day at Old Winchester hill and saw the first of many Chiffchaffs of the morning in the car park, with a female Blackcap visible in the Elderberry, and heard a Nuthatch calling. A flock of House martins flew overhead. We took a quick overview of the steep path going south to find a Spotted Flycatcher, and Common Whitethroats with more Chiffchaffs and Linnets. The usual Yellowhammer hereabouts was not present. However, as we took the easier route along the top towards the fort, we were rewarded at the junction by a family group flying from the Hawthorns down into the stubble field and back to give good views. A Buzzard flew overhead and a Kestrel hovered nearby.
Common Blue,Speckled Wood, Brown Argus, Gatekeepers, Small whites and Green Veined and Red Admirals were out but one of the most common sightings were Small Tortoiseshells. Later seeing Skippers with a possible Essex, & Small Heath and a Clouded Yellow and fresh Brimstone. Chalkhill Blues were frequent but well worn.
All the usual flora seen with Round Headed Rampion largely going over and being replaced with Devil's Bit scabious, along with frequent Gentians. As we had a break on the South side of the fort we watched Nigel who went in search of Autumn Ladies Tresses down in the field below the fort. We were entertained by parents of a juvenile Chiffchaff constantly calling as they fed it. 26 species of birds seen & some heard.
Later we also found a few Autumn Ladies Tresses along the footpath on the steep lower slopes towards the wood. Nigel also found the remains of Frog orchids."
SATURDAY July 26, 2014 - Iping Common
Heather Mills reports on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
7 turned up on a very hot morning to see the delights of this heath land. As we made our way out of the car park in a westerly direction a Chiffchaff sang and one of several Green Woodpeckers flew over. Shortly afterwards we were rewarded with sightings of Willow warbler, and a family group of Stonechats, with a Whitethroat feeding in the Silver birch. A nearby Yellowhammer sang and was one of 4 to be heard as we made our way down to the pond. We discussed the Bell Heather, Heather and Cross leaved Heath, which was mostly going over. Dodder was in abundance, with a few Harebells.
After seeing Gatekeepers all along the footpaths, we were very disappointed not to see any blue butterflies, especially Silver Studded Blue. We had a very good view of a Southern hawker who checked out the group several times, along with Common darters, at a very overgrown pond.As we had a break a Tree creeper could be heard and a Song thrush passed by.
On our return we heard & saw several Coal Tits in the Scots pines with a Blue Tit and heard Chaffinch. On reaching the car park once more, we scanned for any butterflies and were rewarded with a couple of female Common Blues, and large Skippers in amongst the Fleabane & water mint. A woman interested in perusing the fauna, pointed out a Tachina Grossa, which I had not seen before, and apparently attacks caterpillars.
Some of the group crossed the road into the eastern part of the heath and saw Peacock, Ringlet, Green Veined White, Silverwash, Meadow brown, and more large Skippers. A common lizard scurried away from the footpath. Centaury, Purple Loosestrife, Western Gorse, Lesser Spearwort and Tormentil seen. One that evaded our identification was at the pond. Looked rather like Gipsywort but did not seem to meet all the criteria from Rose.
Possible Cuckoo Bee?
SATURDAY July 19, 2014 - Catherington Down.Chris Cope reports: It stopped raining just as eight of us started our walk on Catherington Down.
In the meadow, we saw Meadow Crane's-bill, Meadow Buttercup, Hogweed, Field Bindweed, Teasle, Ribwort Plantain, Red & White Clover,Tufted Vetch, Agrimony, Hedge Woundwort & Lesser Burdock by the gate.
Walking along the edge of the Downs, we saw, Clustered Bellflower, Harebell, Round-headed Rampion, Lady's Bedstraw, Eyebright, Selfheal, Nipplewort, Perforate St John'-wort, Black Medick, Small Scabious, Common Ragwort, Bird's-foot-trefoil. Rosebay willowherb,Spear & Creeping Thistle, & Black & Greater Knapweed, Nigel pointed out a sub species of Black Knapweed which had the enlarged outer florets of Greater Knapweed, but he was unable to find any Frog orchids which could once be found here.
In the small wood at the south end of the Down we found Dog's Mercury.
We returned via the northerly field, half of which was covered with Meadow Cranes-bill & where surprised to see a few Ragged Robins & disturbed a large flock of Gold finches.
We saw a Green woodpecker, Chiff Chaff & heard a Buzzard, Coal Tit & Jay. There were not great numbers of butterflies about , but we was Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Marbled White & lots of Small Skippers.
The pond was disappointing, it is very overgrown, we saw Reed mace, two Branched Bur-reeds, & some small black snails, some Swifts flew overhead.
SATURDAY July 12, 2014 - Portsdown Hill
Ros Norton reported on today's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
"A group of 12 met at car park near Churchillian, on a warm sunny morning and did a clockwise walk west. Birds seen or heard included yellowhammers, Chiffchaff , greenfinch and linnets. The warm sun brought out butterflies early and we saw brimstone, meadow browns, gatekeepers, ringlets, whites, marbled whites and small skippers.
The flowers were spectacular in variety and quantity. They included small scabious, squinancywort, yellow-wort, red bartsia, eyebright, fairy flax, musk , creeping and spear thistles, perennial sow-thistle, marjoram, hogweed, wild basil, greater knapweed, vipers bugloss, pyramidal orchids, tufted and kidney vetch, mouse-ear hawkweed, wild carrot and parsnip, hedge and ladies bedstraw and lesser centaury. Some of us ventured west of the roundabout into a flower rich meadow where we saw rough poppy growing next to common poppy. We returned via path north of fort where flowers seen included field scabious, lucerne, nettle-leaved bellflower, musk mallow, and some clumps of knapweed broomrape.
SATURDAY July 5, 2014 - Fishbourne
Ros Norton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
"I am writing this on behalf of Fay who led a group of 8 on a lovely walk from Fishbourne to Dell Quay and back on a breezy and sometimes cloudy morning. Among the birds seen was a pheasant with chicks in a wheatfield, a kestrel hovering, a pair of little grebes on mill pond with a chick on the back of one, several little egrets, curlew, lapwing , redshank and many mute swans and gulls. Butterflies came out with the sun and included many whites, meadow browns and a comma.
Dittander, a white crucifer which is extinct in Hampshire was just beginning to flower by the harbour. Sea wormwood is not in flower yet. Other flowers included tree mallow, black horehound, water forgetmenot, water speedwell, southern marsh orchids, and meadowsweet.
SATURDAY June 14, 2014 - Fort Purbrook
Ros Norton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
"Seven members of the wildlife study group met in car park south east of George Inn today and explored the area east around Fort Purbrook on a lovely sunny morning. We saw many flowers including hundreds of pyramidal orchids, some common spotted orchids and 4 bee orchids. Among the other flowers were sainfoin, rest harrow, bladder campion, perennial sow thistle, eyebright, tufted vetch, common gromwell, red valerian, milkwort, rosebay willow herb, milkwort, fairy flax,small scabious, columbine, mignonette, crosswort, and kidney vetch.
Blackcaps and greenfinches were singing and swallows flew overhead. A kestrel and stockdove perched on the fort.
The warm weather brought out many butterflies including 1 ringlet, speckled wood, small tortoishell, skipper, and several small blues, marbled whites and common blues.
SATURDAY May 31, 2014 - Kingley ValeHeather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
"13 met on a lovely bright morning to follow the nature trail at Kingley Vale. 29 bird species seen, however the Whitethroats were not visible on the footpath up to the centre & only one Yellowhammer seen deep into the reserve. All the usual plants noted for this time of year, Herb Robert, Pink & White Campion, with some Bladder, Wood Speedwell, 3 veined Sandwort, Sanicle, & Goat's beard but the chalk downland species seen later on when some took the westerly route were, Bird's-foot trefoil, Kidney & Horshoe vetches, Rock rose, Milk vetch, Fairy flax, Eyebright, Grass vetchling, Salad Burnet and Common spot orchids were in abundance, with the remains of Early purple still hanging on in long grass.
Butterflies seen, were fresh Red Admirals, Speckled Wood, Orange tip male. Later on the group did not have to work hard to see some rewarding views of newly emerged Common Blue, Brown Argus and Dingy Skippers, with many Speckled Yellow moths, a Mother Shipton, & a Yellow Shell. As we retraced our steps a burying beetle was spotted on the path. Possibly Nicrophorus vespillo. Also a Pisaura morabilis spider. 5 fallow deer grazed the tree line on the field to the west as we returned. A thoroughly pleasant morning was had by all."
SATURDAY May 17, 2014 - NORTH COMMONChris Cope reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group on North Common, Northney.
"Nine of us walked round North Common this morning, in pleasant hazy sunshine. The usual clump of Hedgerow Crane's-bill was flowering well at the entrance, but there were few flowers in the area to the left of the path, it was very spongy under foot & looked as if it had been under water for some time.
Up on the bank surrounding the site we found Changing Forget-me knot, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Dog Rose, Hoary Cress, Common Vetch, Bulbous Buttercup, Beaked Hawk's-beard, Wild Carrot, Spotted Medick Dog wood and White Companion. A Kestrel hovered overhead.
Back on the main path there were so many Daisies that it looked like a sprinkling of snow. We heard Chiff Chaff, Whitethroat, Linnet, Greenfinch and Wren, 2 Turns flew overhead, probably Common but remain unidentified - no Heather !.
Out on the bund which forms the entrance to the Marina - Cowslips, Salad Burnet, Oxeye Daisy, Hairy Tare, Buck's-horn Plantain, Smooth & Prickly Sow-thistle. On the mud, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull & a Cormorant were seen.
Back on the main path again, we found Ground Ivy, Red Clover, Meadow Buttercup, Greater Stitchwort, Mouse-eared Chickweed, Ribwort Plantain, Goat's Beard, Bird's foot Trefoil, Winter Cress, Spear Thistle, Russian Comfrey, Lesser Trefoil, Black Medick, Thyme-leaved Sandwort, Common Stork's Bill, Salsify, the old flower heads of Lesser Teasel, 16 Grass Vetchlings, Common Sorrel, Scarlet Pimpernel, Shepherd's Cress and Common Forge-me-not.
Just 2 Peacocks & 1 Green-veined White."
SATURDAY May 10, 2014 - Gunner Point Hayling
Ros Norton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
"Four optimists braved the strong winds and completed a circular walk . It was too windy for birds but we heard chiffchaff and blackcap. No brave butterflies but the flowers were worth seeing. Many green winged orchids were seen and the harestail grass has spread further. Early forgetmenot, spring vetch, birdsfoot and burrowing clover were very small flowers. Other flowers included bur chervil, mouse-ear hawkweed, beaked hawksbeard, round-leaved crane,sbill, common storksbill, fumitory, buckshorn plantain, spring beauty, Danish and English scurveygrass, yellow rattle, spotted medick, hoary cress, tree lupin , sea kale and sea campion."
SATURDAY APRIL 19, 2014 - Hook with WarsashChris Cope reports on this morning's walk: "Eight of us met at Hook with Warsash & started the walk, by taking the foot path to the shore in the hope of hearing Nightingales singing (we didn't) but heard Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming & Chichaff, Blackcap, Wren & Chettis calling. On the shore, looking north there were a few Oystercatchers on the shingle spit & 3 Sand Martins flew over head, in the fields some Lapwings were dive-bombing Crows, where they trying to stop them stealing their eggs?!. At the first pond there were Shelduck, Little Egret, Canada Geese, Little Grebe, Coot, Black headed Gulls, Common Gulls & 2 Avocets, 2 Swans were performing a pretty mating display.
Dunnock & Linnets were present in the Gorse, but as we moved further south, the shore was considerably eroded, the sea must have engulfed the area in the winter, because all the Gorse bushes were dead & there were no flowers, usually Spring Beauty grows well here. We moved inland for our coffee break & saw Cuckoo Flowers & again heard Cettis very close by . Back on the shore we heard a Sedge Warbler in the reeds & saw 2 Swallows fly over.
Taking the diagonal path across to Workman's Lane we saw a field full of Cowslips & Skylark singing over head. The banks of the Lane were full of Bluebells & a Song Thrush was singing. There were more Bluebells along side the path back to the car park. A chilly wind blowing, & the day became overcast so we didn't see any butterflies.
SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2014 - Pagham HarbourHeather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group, including a good view of a Cuckoo. For the full report go to . . .
"On behalf of Fay who led this mornings walk at Pagham RSPB reserve. 12 met on a lovely sunny morning with Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, & Blackcap singing from the car park. 2 new members for our group had already heard Cuckoo singing. Fay took the southerly direction, past the pond with a lovely display of Marsh Marigold. We had good views of several Blackcaps male & female visible, in the Blackthorn blossom with Willow warbler, Chaffinch & Blue & Great tits and a singing Chiffchaff.
At the lake were 2 pairs of Avocets, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall pair, Lapwing, Coot, several Tufted duck pairs, Shoveler, Black headed gulls & Mallard. A pair of Kestrel flew nearby, whilst a Curlew was visible in the field. A Cetti's warbler belted out his song as we turned up the footpath towards the East.
Many pairs of Linnet were seen along here on the gorse and Sedge warblers sang but rarely showed, however, Reed Bunting were clearly visible as were several pairs of Red legged partridge in the field adjoining the footpath. Looking down the channel, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were to be seen and a flock of Redshank roosted on the side as a few Swallows passed overhead.. Approx 30 Shelduck on the sea towards the east.
As we took our coffee break, we had Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the Blackthorn. The highlight of the morning was Des spotting the Cuckoo that was calling from the Poplars in the distance and we had views through our telescopes. First Bee fly seen along with 3 Roe deer. Also Small White and Orange Tip male & female. 48 species seen."
SATURDAY APRIL 5, 2014 - Milton CommonHeather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group at Milton Common.
"On behalf of Beryl a quick report on the morning. A dozen members met on a somewhat colder morning than of late, at the bottom of Moorings Way to hear the first calling Cetti's warbler. Later we would hear at least 6 more from around the surrounding brambles. Tide was well out, so not a lot of waders to be seen. On Swan lake a couple of pairs of Tufted duck and one lone Brent, with a few Coot and later a pair of Little Grebes, also a Gadwall. Greenfinch & Wrens singing well. We took our coffee break at the Commemoration site of the "Help the heroes", where a Willow warbler was singing in the willows above us. As we retraced our steps we identified the call that some members had heard earlier and it was a Sedge warbler. Another was heard calling & doing a partial flight above the brambles. 34 bird species seen. Mute swan nesting on Duck lake. Good display of Red & White Deadnettle, Coltsfoot, masses of Alexanders, & Ivy leaved Speedwell, and common Whitlow grass. Bluebells being Spanish variety. We finished our visit at the Hampshire Wildlife Trust site at the bottom of Locksway road, which has been vastly improved & cleared, hopefully attracting butterflies later in the season.
SATURDAY MARCH 29, 2014 - Farlington MarshesHeather Mills reported on the walk:
11 wildlife members met on a gloriously sunny morning with a cold south easterly wind blowing at Farlington. We quickly set off around the reserve following the shore path to the sound of Greenfinch singing and a nearby Chiffchaff, followed by a pair of Med gulls mewing above us. Good views looking West to the Eastern road, of a couple of Common gulls on the high tide. Due to a very gusty wind, one of our party lost a polythene bag and went to dramatic lengths to recover, with the aid of 2 of our gentlemen to assist in the retrieval.When we got to the lagoon, we had clear views of about 20 Black tailed Godwits with many in breeding plumage and 2 Greenshanks. A flock of Redshank circled many times, but other waders were absent. Mergansers were fishing just off the reserve. Skylarks, and Meadow pipits sang and later we would see the latter's flight song. Up to five Wheatear were seen running up & down the rabbit humps. Shelduck, Canada, Brent, Wigeon, Shoveler, Little Egrets, Curlew and performing Lapwing were dotted about the field. Some of the group retraced their steps but a few continued round to the point. A Kestrel caught a short tailed vole and flew away to enjoy his meal, across to the island which is still being replenished with shingle for the Terns.
Linnets sat on the brambles here for us to see and a flock of 8 flew off. As we followed on round the footpath towards the hayfield, we noted the vast amount of clearing that has been done on the bank to the left overlooking the reserve. We had a final look over the area reserved for RSPB and noted approx 80 Brent still present. Little Grebes seen in the channel alongside the hayfield and Coots & Moorhens. A Cetti's warbler blasted out his song and some had a close Chiffchaff.
Flowers seen, Ragwort, Alexanders, Daisy, Danish scurvy-grass, Blackthorn, Cow parsley, Red dead nettle, Dandelion, & Rape. Small tortoiseshell, Small White, Brimstone male & 2 Garden tiger caterpillars.
SATURDAY MARCH 15, 2014 -Staunton Country ParkRos Norton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group:
There were 14 on todays walk , a lovely sunny morning with lots of birdsong. First we saw a buzzard and a few song thrushes on the ground in High Lawn field. We heard drumming from greater spotted woodpeckers and some of us heard a lesser spotted woodpecker. Green woodpeckers were yaffling , chiffchaffs and skylarks singing. Long tailed , blue, great and marsh tits were seen. Three treecreepers were active around a tree in Cedar Avenue, a nuthatch was feeding near the Stables and there were a few rooks in the rookery nearby. On the lake were 2 Canada geese, Mute swans, mallards , coots and moorhens. A jay was seen in a tree. A speckled wood butterfly and a male brimstone were flying in the sun. A bumblebee disappeared into a hole. Flowers included primroses, celandines, hazel catkins and pussy willow.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2014 - Baffins PondOn a sunny spring like day nine of us met at Baffins Pond. The highlight at the pond being a Water Rail being very secretive in the reeds & four pairs of Shovelers pinwheeling.
Also Canada & Brent Geese & one White goose plusTufted ducks, Mallards, Shelducks, Moorhens, Coots, Pochards, Mute Swans, Cormorants, Black headed,Common & Lesser Black Backed Gulls. Blackbirds, Starlings, Bluetits, Pied Wagtail, Dunnocks, Gold Finches & Magpies. Wood pigeons, Stock & collared Doves & grey squirrels.
We then walked past the Brent goose reserve with only a few geese feeding on the periphery possibly due to most of the grass being very short / exhausted.
On to Great Salterns Fields with views of Great Salterns Lake where we saw Little Grebes, Carrion Crows, Long tailed Tit, a SmallTortishell and heard a Cettis Warbler. We had coffee overlooking Langstone Harbour (low tide) sighting Common Seals on the mud flaps, Redshanks, Black tailed godwits, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Little Egret, Dunlin & Turnstone.
We briefly stopped on the jetty spotting a ? Buff Bumblebee on the concrete. A Grey Herron flew overhead as we made our way back to Baffins Pond.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2014 - SouthseaHeather Mills reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
"Fay tried to lead a group of 8 intrepid wildlife enthusiasts to the wild scenes of Southsea. We did not get very far because of the extremely interesting strand line on the beach in front of Canoe lake. Ros enlightened us as to the Sea Mouse and there must have been thousands together with what looked like juvenile Spider crabs. The one in my picture looks as if it has some visitors on its shell. Together with the Star fish in entirety and bits of them washed up with Whelks, Razor shells, Mussels, & sea Anemone.
We did not get very far before the heavens opened with stinging hail-stones. We took shelter and sure enough it passed in time to look for any unusual Gulls on the Canoe lake. Some of the Black Headed gulls were coming into breeding plumage Again we tried to reach the Castle. However, we were again interrupted with wild gusts of wind and rain. We took pity on ourselves & stopped for a welcome coffee in the cafe.
Having made a further attempt to reach the castle and seeing the IOW ferry venture forth, some of us did likewise and finally were rewarded with sightings of approximately 10 Purple Sandpipers. Cormorants dived in front of the Castle and juvenile Herring gulls hung on the wind, along with a few Common Gull. 7 Oyster Catchers sat on the rocks. The Brent were on the cricket ground when we returned.
This was a morning we shall not forget in a hurry. As we made our way back to the cars, a few people were helping themselves to the extremely heavy planks washed up from the pier. One man had a sack on his back & cycled along very precariously, with his booty sticking out."
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1 2014 - Blashford LakesJean Hildersley reported: Three of us enjoyed a rewarding walk at the reserve, dodging one or two brief showers in the car or in a hide. On the way to the Woodland Hide we saw dunnock , blackbird and ?elf cup fungi. Are snow drops considered wild? The Woodland Hide gave us the usual wonderful views of chaffinch. green finch, siskin, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, long tailed tit, red pole, nut hatch, jackdaw, collared dove, greater spotted woodpecker and robin. From the Ivy North Hide we saw great crested grebe, little grebe, gadwall, shoveler, teal, widgeon, tufted duck, coot, Canada goose and swan.
We endeavoured to cross Ellingham drove to Ibsley Water but found the gates were locked because of the flooded path but were assured by folk wearing wellingtons that there was not much of interest except. black necked grebes. Only Rowena wore wellington!!
Thank you to Rowena for giving me a lift and Ros for bringing her scope..
SATURDAY JANUARY 25 2014 - Hayling OysterbedsRos Norton reported on this morning's walk by the Havant Wildlife Group.
"On a lovely sunny and calm morning today 11 of us met at a low state of tide and found the telescopes very useful as many birds were a long way off. Highlights included 14 Black Necked Grebe at the end of the walk, Goldeneye, including males displaying, a distant Long-tailed Duck, Mergansers , Great Crested and Little Grebes.
Brent Geese flew overhead also on the mud and Shelduck close with distant Gadwall and Wigeon. There were many waders including Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatchers, Turnstones, and Little Egrets. A Wren sang and a flock of Goldfinches flew past. A pleasant surprise along the Hayling Billy line was a large number of flowers on Sweet Violets."
FOR WALKS REPORTS FOR 2013 GO TO . . Saturday walks - reports 2013
