. . . .
SATURDAY
MARCH 14 - 2020 - Chidham
Nicola Hammond
reports on today's walk by the Friends of Wildlife
group . . .
Nine met on what promised to be a dry and fairly
bright morning at Chidham. From the car park we had
great views of a heron flying over followed by a red
kite, which circled over the adjoining field. As we
walked toward the coastal path we enjoyed both the
sight and song of yellowhammers as they flew from one
hedgerow to another. Skylarks were singing overhead
and long tailed tits, blue tits and goldfinches were
also seen and heard. We admired the flowering
blackthorn and gorse.
The tide was low in the channel but the waders were
elusive (or had started their journey back to their
breeding grounds). A few redshank were scattered,
along with oystercatchers, and a few Brent geese were
at the side of the channel. A little Egret was
fishing in the first pond. Around the activity centre
we heard and saw chaffinches, more small birds and a
blackbird collecting nesting material. Two red
breasted mergansers were in the channel.
Unfortunately as we walked towards the bridge the
drizzle turned into drenching rain so we decided to
turn back and (unsuccessfully) find shelter for
coffee.
After returning back round the activity centre the
rain stopped, and so did we for our coffee. We
enjoyed more views of red breasted mergansers. There
was one group of three males and two females and
another good sized group further down the channel. A
curlew was feeding and calling close by and Diana
spotted two birds over in a field which were
identified as grey partridges - the best find of the
morning!
Wildflowers were coming into bloom and we saw lesser
celandines, alexanders, red and white deadnettle,
green alkanet, white comfrey, sweet violets,
speedwell, wild primroses and a single stem of cow
parsley. We walked back along the hedgerows to the
song of yellowhammers and one posed at the top of the
tree in the sunlight, to finish off the morning.
PS Unfortunately rain scuppered the group photo this
week!
SATURDAY
MARCH 7 - Baffins Pond and Milton Common
Fay Durant
reported on this morning's walk by the Friends of
Wildlife group. . .
Five faithful souls met up this morning at the
recreational ground car park at Baffins . It was grey
but quite mild and not a drop of rain ! The sun even
deigned to shine for a short period .
We made our way through the small copse to Baffins
Pond , where there was plenty of bird activity . A
variety of gulls , perching on posts , so we were able
to compare a herring gull against a lesser black
backed gull . There were numerous tufted ducks ,
mallards , paired shovelers , coots , moorhens and ,
the highlight , a couple of gadwall , noting the white
patches on the back of the wings . On the island were
cormorants , one flying over head , coming into land .
The leaves of the willows were just appearing , giving
them that soft green colour and the pussy willow was
out , in full splendour . The alders were hung with
male catkins and the little red buds of the females
could just be seen .
Walking around the recreational ground , blue , great
and long tailed tits were seen . When we reached the
fenced off area for Brent geese , what did we discover
but over a thousand Brent geese , including a
considerable number of young ones . ( The most I've
ever seen there ! ) Also in that area were wood
pigeons , magpies and five pied wagtails . We then
made our way across the Eastern Road to Milton Lakes ,
having coffee at the Services Memorial . Two dunnocks
were in good voice behind us and two Great crested
grebes were noted in the harbour and a merganser . We
later had better views of the latter and there was a
male and female together . The lakes were fairly quiet
but a little grebe and common gull were seen , plus a
heron later on . Cetti's warbler was heard in the
bushes and green finch song , with sightings later
.
Alexanders were flowering round the edges of the ponds
and a sea buckthorn shrub was a cause of interest .
Other flowers , identified by Ros , were chickweed and
Danish scurvy grass , plus celandine , red dead nettle
, groundsel and plenty of Daisies ! We had the usual
discussion over white flowering bushes : cherry plum ,
blackthorn or a cultivated variety .
It was , altogether , a very pleasant morning and
those that attended were much appreciated , plus their
considerable knowledge . Many thanks . Best wishes ,
Fay .
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 22 - 2020 - Stansted
Forest
Helen Penfold reported on this morning's walk by the
Friends of Wildlife group at Stansted.
Nine of us hardy (or crazy) friends had a very windy
walk this morning at Stansted, with the suggestion of
rain never far away and a definite reality as we
walked, briskly back to the car park towards mid day.
Few birds braved the
wind, and we were not lingering to look for hidden
ones, but we did see a buzzard, early on, low down
amongst the trees, before it flew off, and a bit later
had good views of a coal tit in an unseasonably green
bush. We also saw long tailed and blue tits and heard
great tits, a nuthatch and later on, a green
woodpecker.
We enjoyed watching a group of a dozen or so fallow
deer in one of the fields, several with fine antlers,
and there was another group, further on, with darker
coats.
The highland cattle
were friendly, showing off their fine horns and
unconcerned about their young calves - woolly like
teddy bears.
We enjoyed the mass of
primroses under the trees and we also saw flowering
dogs mercury, groundsel, purple violets and
celandines. Blackthorn was just coming into flower in
the hedgerow, but we weren't certain about the
identity of another hedgerow bush with white flowers
and early leaves, possibly cherry plum.
We had a welcome coffee break on a perfectly situated
log, before heading back down the lane towards the
cars, looking forward to getting out of the wind and
increasing rain.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 15 - 2020 - Hayling
Billy Line
Tony reports
on this morning's walk by the Friends of Wildlife
group
Eight brave souls took on Dennis this morning. We
walked Northwards on the Billy Line from the station
theatre for a good hour, coffee, turned round and
walked back to the car park for about 11.30, just
defeating the rain and wind by 15 mins.
Easy.
The first discussion
was an alder in the car park hedgerow. Which is the
male part and which is the female. There were lots of
last years fruit plus plenty of catkins (the male) but
where were the female parts. Definitely not the little
red buds that we found because they were from the
adjoining hazel. We did in the end find the alder
female buds.
Brian's
note on Alder catkins
The photo seems to show underdeveloped male
catkins. They are turning just now and will soon all
become yellow with pollen. Female Alder catkins are
dark red, short and erect and subsequently turn into
cones. Here is a photo I took on Brook Meadow a couple
of years ago showing both male and female catkins
together. Some of last year's dark cones can be seen
on the left of the photo.
Flowering plants we saw were sea radish, sow thistle (
probably last years still going), snow flakes, winter
heliotrope, cherry plum ,sweet violets and butchers
broom. Photos show Gorse and Sweet Violet.
Birds we saw included,
Canada goose, Brent, RB merganser, little egret,
kestrel, oystercatcher, curlew, black headed gull,
herring gull, wood pigeon, dunnock, robin, blackbird,
blackcap, longtail, blue and great tits, magpie,
carrion crow, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch,
goldfinch, plus the star of the morning a MED
GULL.
Thanks to everyone making the effort to come out and
defy Dennis. Well done.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 8 - 2020 - Havant
Thicket
Heather Mills
reported on this morning's walk by the Friends of
Wildlife group
13 met at Havant Thicket to walk into the grounds of
Staunton to try our luck at hearing and seeing a
Lesser Spotted woodpecker.
To begin our walk we
were rewarded with 4 Song Thrushes probing the soil
near the car park and a few more seen throughout the
grounds.
Pairs of Blue and
Great Tits called from the vegetation lining the
pathway as we began. Very soon a close encounter with
a Buzzard also excavating the soil, flew and hid
behind a branch of a very sad looking Oak in the
middle of the field.
The weight of the
limbs to one side, looked like it had taken its toll
by splitting the main trunk of the tree. Coal tits
were very vocal and gave us a chance to focus on the
song. We did hear several short bursts of Great
Spotted Woodpecker and had a good chance to see 1 of 2
pairs nearby. The first one showed red on his head as
he avidly pecked at the dead wood. (picture is a
female).
As we had changed our
direction due to all the keen runners, we decided to
stop and have our break early. A pair of Nuthatch were
excavating a large hole in a nearby Oak.
A Goldcrest was
singing in the Yew. Neill pondered over a name for a
"small trumpet" flowering bush next to a wonderful
scented Mahonia. We continued around the lake and
everyone listened out for the possible drumming with
no luck. However, on our return a Kite flew overhead,
spotted by Val and Dave. Further on they also had
really good views of a pair of Great Spotted
Woodpeckers in the Silver Birch, right above us. As we
passed Gypsy plain once more we noted 17 Magpies
across the field where the sheep grazed.
A pair of Stonechat
flitted across the grass tops, and later another pair
were seen with Skylarks. As we neared the car park,
the hedgerow gave views of 3 Chaffinch 2 males and a
female and a number of Goldfinch. Linda spotted
movement and some saw the Green woodpecker alight in
the nearby Birch. 30 species seen.
Gorse and Herb Robert were out in flower. Primroses
were not quite out. Osiers looked a spectacle.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 1 - 2020 = Bosham
Heather Mills reports on this morning's walk by the
Friends of Wildlife group . . .
12 met in Bosham to a serenade of Song Thrush, whilst
male Blackbirds jostled in the surrounding trees. The
sun shone briefly as we ventured to the shoreline.
At least 8 Turnstone
scrabbled in the bladder-wrack and Brent roosted
unusually quiet, on the edge of the mud at low tide. A
Curlew gave us good views as we scanned for species
nearby. Whilst the noisy Oystercatchers let us know
they were about. A couple of Turnstone and one Grey
Plover seen in the distance. Black-headed gulls in the
channel were joined above on the large posts by a
gathering of a dozen juvenile Herring Gulls.
A lone Greenshank gave
a wonderful opportunity for close views as it fed in
the tidal flow as we ventured to the edge of the
pontoon.
3 Little Grebes dived
constantly out in the main channel looking south with
another 6 diving as we looked northwards, together
with a Cormorant. A flock of Common Gulls were on the
opposite shore. A large group of Shelduck settled on
the mud, with a couple of pairs dotted around having
paired up probably.. A few Mute swans with signets
still in tow swam amongst numerous Wigeon along the
tidal edge. Teal and further on some spectacular
Pintail seen bathing. The agility of some of our group
had to be seen to be believed as we slid over the wall
to access part of our walk which encountered a
descending onto a slippery coastline.
On the field opposite Colner creek we settled to have
a welcome break from the westerly wind. Here, as soon
as we approached, a welcome sight of Mistle Thrush was
spotted by Caroline and gave us views through her
scope. Soon after the delightful sight of 3 Skylarks
chasing each other were noticed alighting the field. 2
began to sing and eventually 4 were seen.
As the fields were
waterlogged, we decided on a return route through the
back roads. This was delightful for the lovely views
of our first Lesser Celandine together with plenty of
Snowdrops and Winter Heliotrope.
The Bosham stream had
been planted up by the inhabitants but still looked a
picture with flowering Hellebore. White and Red
dead-nettle seen. A large tree in one of the gardens
had a glorious array of yellow flowers but we could
not identify the tree. I did think maybe Cornelian
cherry? Although we did see a couple of bumble bees
not fully identified. A total of 32 species of birds
seen and heard. Thank you for enduring the
mud.
Brian's
notes
I think the tree with yellow blossom (above left)
may be Norway Maple. They flower well at this time
along Pook Lane.
The white flowers labelled Blackthorn (above right)
are probably Cherry Plum. The glossy twigs and absence
of thorns indicates Cherry Plum. Ralph Hollins always
warned us about confusing these two. Cherry Plum
always flowers before Blackthorn.
Lesser Celandines have been flowering for some while
in Bridge Road car park!
SATURDAY
JANUARY 25 - 2020 - Cams Hall, Fareham
Fay Durant
reported on this morning's walk by the Friends of
Wildlife group
Eight of us met on a grey , chilly morning at Cams
Hill . We were greeted by the sound of a thrush
singing , then another and another . In fact we heard
more thrushes this morning than for a long time .
The runners were out
so , after viewing Fareham Creek , we did the walk in
a clockwise direction , in order not to collide with
them . Apart from swans , mallards and wigeon there
was little else of note in the creek .
We then walked along the main road to Birdwood Grove
where we turned down to the coastal path .Heather
spotted a buzzard land in the school field . On our
way we saw a strangely marked jackdaw , black with
white markings . Looking out to sea there was a good
gathering of wigeon , some teal and Brent geese .
Little grebe were spotted , great crested , three
mergansers , which later flew low over the
water
Also cormorants ,
shell duck , oyster catchers , a grey plover , a coot
and a little egret up a tree ! A number of curlew flew
past and a red shank , plus a number of swans , making
that haunting noise . Inland birds : all the tits :
blue , great and long tail ; green finch , gold finch
, robin and sparrows . Golfers were out but a large
gathering of Brent geese and Canada geese , down by
the lake , seemed unconcerned .
The gorse made a
lovely splash of yellow and we were surprised to see
the first signs of cherry plumb blossom . Examining
butchers broom carefully , some flowers were found
plus the red berries .
The catkins of hazel
were noticeable and the first signs of the female red
buds .
Other flowers seen
were yarrow , chickweed , smooth sow - thistle , red
dead nettle , field speedwell , daisy and a yellow
crucifer - query mustard .
A yellow fungus was spied but we'll leave it at that !
There was a great gathering of gulls on the grass
opposite the pub , mainly back headed but a common
gull was amongst them .A long coffee break was enjoyed
on two benches over looking the water , time for a
catch up ! Although chilly , it was an enjoyable
morning and the ground was only muddy in places .
Thanks to all those who made the effort to turn up
.Fay .
SATURDAY
JANUARY 18 - 2020 - Stansted
Forest
Valerie
Mitchell reported on this mornings walk by the Friends
of Wildlife group
A group of 10 met at Stansted House Garden Centre car
park on a sunny, cold morning, with blue skies.
We walked along the
bridleway in front of Stansted house, then continued
up Rosamund Hill, keeping an eye out for any hares in
Hare Warren, through the woods, across the field to
Lumley Seat, along Monarch's Way and back to the
Pavilion to enjoy coffee sitting out in the sunshine
at the end of a very pleasant morning
At the beginning of the walk, we stopped to admire the
Highland cattle in the field
Everything was very
peaceful and quiet, the sun highlighting the clumps of
old man's beard at the top of the trees, the short
willow catkins and the long catkins on the hazel,
yellow in the sunshine, the very small cones on the
larch trees were well defined against the blue sky,
and the shiny white bark on the silver birches was
gleaming.
A marsh tit could be seen on the path ahead of us and
we watched it until it flew up into the tree, blue,
coal and long tails were also spotted. Green
woodpecker and Jay were heard. Whilst watching a
buzzard in the distant trees, a hare was briefly seen
disappearing at the edge of Hare Warren. Nuthatch,
tree creeper, goldcrest, wrens, robins, blackbirds,
goldfinches, jackdaws, pheasant, spotted woodpecker
and thrush were also seen.
SATURDAY
JANUARY 11 - 2020 - The
Kench
Valerie
Mitchell reports on this morning's walk by the Friends
of Wildlife group
Twelve of us met at the Sinah heavy anti- aircraft
battery car park on Hayling Island, it was a damp,
overcast, windy morning, and as we discussed the very
bright Wolf moon on the previous evening, a kestrel
hovered overhead.
We headed to the Kench
and followed the footpath along the shore, past Sinah
Holiday Village, until we could go no further, then
looking at the height of the high water, we decided to
retrace our steps and enjoyed walking close to the
water's edge.
At the start, we spotted 3 grey herons sheltering in
the lee of a shingle bank, thank you Derek for this
photo and others taken today.
Many birds were on the
island, flocks of dunlins, oyster catchers, (looking
very smartly lined up), grey plovers, a cormorant,
egrets, redshanks, and curlew who stayed on the island
until near high tide.
Plenty of Brent geese, many gulls were flying around,
common, black headed and herring, a solitary great
black backed gull was spotted on a smaller island just
before we left the Kench.
Two mergansers and a
crested grebe were seen diving around, and at coffee
time, in the far distance, Heather, using her 'scope,
spotted 2 Goldeneye, finally confirmed when she saw
their white breasts.
Just past the Sinah
Holiday Village we spotted large flocks (possibly
about 50) of redshanks and oystercatchers, they flew
up and down several times, making their lovely calls.
Although it rained on
our return, we arrived back at our cars having enjoyed
the walk.
SATURDAY
January 4, 2020 - Pagham
Harbour
Nicola Hammond
reported on this morning's walk by the Friends of
Wildlife group
A
lucky group of 13 met at the RSPB Pagham car park for
a walk down to Church Norton. We stopped at the new
hide (not yet open for the day) to watch small birds
flitting around the amply filled feeders nearby and
saw a nice group of long tailed tits plus great and
blue tits.
A brief look over Ferry Pool identified Shoveler and
Wigeon. We carried on and saw a couple of redshank,
coot and moorhen in the first channel, followed by
tufted duck among a noisy group of mallard. A raptor,
possibly a harrier, was seen in the distance and a
buzzard soared above.
Unfortunately the path became too muddy to continue so
we turned round to walk back past the visitor centre
and on the path to Sidlesham Quay. More redshank were
seen plus teal, curlew and in the distance shelducks.
After coffee we returned to the hide to look out over
Ferry Pool
where
a large group of lapwing were in the adjoining field
and treated us to a beautiful aerial display.
There
was also a large group of wigeon in the field and on
the water were teal and mute swans.
Turning back to the bird feeders we saw chaffinches,
robins, great and blue tits, more long tailed tits and
a song thrush.
Squirrels
were busy hoovering up spillages and hanging from the
feeders, with the usual blackbirds in attendance. As
we walked back to the cars we saw three kestrels
hovering at very close quarters.
Apologies
for errors and omissions but there was a lot to catch
up on after the Christmas break, including
reminiscences of pink flamingos seen in times gone
by!
SATURDAY
December 21 2019 - Farlington Marshes
On Dec 22nd
the Friends of Wildlife group visited Farlington
Marshes. Report by Ros Norton
A select group of six met two hours after high tide
for an anticlockwise circular around the marshes. Half
way through the walk we were joined by another
carrying a useful telescope.
Greenfinches were in
bushes near the entrance. On the lake were pintails,
wigeon, teal and shelducks. In the harbour were brent
geese, a merganser and a distant line of avocets, 39
counted later. on the Portsmouth side. There were
brief sightings of a marsh harrier from the lake area
but we saw 2 together later as we looked back to the
west from the east side.
As we walked around we
saw a group of dunlin, a turnstone, lapwings,
redshank, oystercatchers, skylarks, pipits and an
egret. A distant seal was seen from the Point in the
harbour and some rabbits were in the marshes.
At the Deeps we saw many shovellers, shelduck, teal
and brent geese. A Cettis warbler was heard and
probably seen as 2 birds flew in the reeds. A large
white goose was with a group of Canada geese in a
field and there was a group of about 40 curlew. We saw
coots in the stream by the hut. We decided not to
return via the marshes as it was very wet underfoot.
We experienced rain as forecast later on in the walk
but the sun still came out which produced some lovely
rainbows.
Flowers included bristly ox-tongue, yarrow, ragwort,
white deadnettle and smooth sowthistle.
Ralph's
new home
On Dec 23rd
Ralph Hollins sent me this view of his new home from
across Carlingwark Loch in Castle Douglas in
Scotland.
When he walked round
this loch this morning he saw 8 Goldeneyes!!
FOR
EARLIER REPORTS GO TO . . 2019
Jul-Dec
