. . . .
SATURDAY
December 13th 2014 - Nutbourne
Tony 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 Oysterbeds
Chris 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 Brooks
Heather 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 - Warsash
Heather 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 - 2014
Hayling
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 Vale
Heather 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 COMMON
Chris 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 Warsash
Chris 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
Harbour
Heather 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 Common
Heather 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 Marshes
Heather 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 Park
Ros 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 Pond
On 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
-
Southsea
Heather 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
Lakes
Jean 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
Oysterbeds
Ros 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