FRIDAY
MARCH 30 - 2018
Swan
nest news
Maurice Lillie
provides the latest news from the Mute Swan nest on
the Peter Pond island. Today, he happened to catch the
pen off her nest and saw no less then 8 eggs in the
nest. The pen and her mate were near the nest busy
shovelling vegetation out of the water and chucking it
towards the nest, as the water level rose. The tide is
a high one today, but the nest is probably safe!
I recall that 8 eggs
were laid by this swan last year. This will probably
be the end of laying, so for the next 36 days the pen
will be sitting on the nest incubating the eggs,
getting off only briefly for exercise and food. The
cob may occasionally take over the duties. So, if all
goes to plan, hatching will take place around May 4th,
though the cygnets sometimes take a few days to show
themselves.
Cuckoos
on the way
Since 2011 the
British Trust for Ornithology have been
satellite-tracking Cuckoos, and gaining more knowledge
about migration routes. You can see the progress of
the eight tracked Cuckoos and follow their journey
back to the UK.
Selborne the Cuckoo has already successfully completed
his desert crossing, and is north of Marrakesh. Last
year he arrived back to the UK by 12 April. Will he be
the first to arrive this year?
The see the progress of all the tagged Cuckoos go to .
. . https://bto-enews.org/NXK-5JDH1-3UEDCR-32G7A6-0/c.aspx
TUESDAY
MARCH 27 - 2018
Millpond
nesting news
I went down to
Peter Pond this afternoon to check on the state of the
Mute Swan nest. The swan pair was on the water
indulging in a bit of courtship.
Here is a short video
clip of the swan pair on the pond . . .
https://youtu.be/PSgSWTM0fco
Meanwhile, the nest
was exposed and I was able to see 4 and possibly 5
eggs, probably including the old one I first saw on
21-Mar. I was pleased to meet Neil Foster and his wife
(sorry I can't recall her name) also looking at the
nest. They looked at the nest from different angles
thought there were 5 eggs. The pen swan could carry on
to lay up to 8 eggs before settling down to brood
them.
A pair of Coots have built a substantial tower nest in
the reeds to the south of the swan island, well above
the level of the highest water. I am less confident
about the height of the swan nest.
Over on Slipper
Millpond, a pair of Coots have built a nest on the
north raft, outside the 'official' nest box which is
far too small for them. They did this last year too.
There seems to have
been some nest building activity on the south raft
too, presumably by the Great Black-backed Gull pair
which nested there last year. Nothing is happening on
the centre raft where a pair of Canada Geese nested
last year.
A group of
Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls were having a
good 'wash and brush-up' in the fresh water of the
pond before moving on to their night time roosts. I
could see at least a dozen Mediterranean Gulls,
though there were probably more judging from the
constant mewing cries as they flew overhead.
Here is a short video
clip of the gulls washing . . . https://youtu.be/JYTH3-CU-uE
Langstone
Mill Pond
Peter
Milinets-Raby spent an hour down the Langstone Mill
Pond this afternoon (from 1:40pm - low tide).
Off shore: 134 Black-tailed Godwit (most in summer
plumage), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 13 Brent
Geese, 14 Shelduck, 1 Red Breasted Merganser, 4 Great
Black-backed Gulls.
On the pond:
Heronry - New nest under construction at the very rear
of the main Holm Oak (Only viewable from the paddock
gate). Plus the other nest at the rear has an adult
sitting on it.
The Mute Swan pair were confusing me today, by working
hard on constructing the "first" nest they had started
over a month ago, before they got side-tracked by
building another nest by the heron lookout. So which
one will they choose?
Chiffchaff singing and Cetti's Warbler singing.
3 Wigeon in the flooded horse paddock along with a
Green Sandpiper - not much else I'm afraid.
MONDAY
MARCH 26 - 2018
Brook
Meadow
Jean and I had
a stroll through Brook Meadow this afternoon, mainly
to look at and admire the magnificent work by the
conservation group in clearing the banks of the river.
It is so good to see the river running so well. We
also stopped to listen to the rippling water at the
fallen tree.
Later in the walk, I
was pleased to see my first Brimstone butterfly
of the year - a bright yellow male flying strongly
over the grassland - much later than usual. I did not
get a photo, but here is a shot I got of a male a few
years ago.
My best sighting of
the afternoon was of a Water Rail scuttling
around the edge of the flooded south east corner of
the south meadow - my first of the winter. This is a
late date for a first sighting and this bird will
probably be on its way elsewhere. I did not get a
photo of this one either, but here is one taken last
year on Brook Meadow.
We had a quick look at
Peter Pond where we found the pen swan snug on its
nest on the island. Eggs will be laid one every 48
hours, usually in the morning, so I suspect she may
already be sitting on two or maybe three eggs. There
has been a single egg in the nest for several days,
which was probably premature.
Spring
is here!
Anne de Potier
heard two separate Chiffchaffs singing near
Thorney Deeps today. These are likely to be the first
of the returning summer migrants.
Here is a photo of an early Chiffchaff that I captured
on Brook Meadow at this time a few years ago.
And a link to a YouTube video clip of a Chaffchaff
singing . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcUJSsd71nc
Anne also had a
Brimstone butterfly flying across her Emsworth,
which prompted her to think that spring is actually
here - at least for today!
SUNDAY
MARCH 25 - 2018
River
clearance
I was a little
late getting over to Brook Meadow for the regular
Sunday work session (brought forward a week due to
Easter). The 9 volunteers were already well into the
main task of clearing up the arisings from the cutting
of the river banks on Friday.
Here they are
having their coffee break by the north bridge.
Towards the end of the
morning they started to cut back the large bramble
bushes that were encroaching onto the footpath, but
taking care not to disturb this valuable nesting
habitat.
Here is a video clip
of volunteers clearing brambles on north path . . .
https://youtu.be/l1V974OYTtI
Here are some shots
showing the river banks as they have not been seen for
many years.
Fallen
Tree
The river bank clearance has exposed an old Ash tree
that has fallen across the river from the west bank.
This tree is an interesting feature where I, and other
walkers, often stop for a while to watch and listen to
the water rippling through the small branches, hoping
to catch a glimpse of some wildlife.
Although fallen tree
is seen as a possible flood hazard by the Environment
Agency, I suggested to Maurice Lillie that we might
approach the Agency to preserve the tree as an
interesting feature of the river environment. Clearly,
it creates a natural weir to hold up and release the
flow of water for the benefit of fish and other
wildlife. The Brook Meadow volunteers could then
monitor the tree and remove any build up of vegetation
that might cause a blockage.
Here is a video clip
of the river rippling through the branches of the tree
in the river . . . https://youtu.be/y022pL6SvCM
Fox
in garden
Nicola Hammond
had quite a long visit from a fox in her Kings Road
garden yesterday afternoon.
Nicola
says,
"When I first noticed it out of the window it was
chasing a bumble bee! It then seemed to take quite a
liking to the hellebore flowers, or more probably the
insects in them, as it had quite a nibble. It
disappeared over the fence for a while and then came
back to settle down in a border, quite boldly staring
back at us as we watched from the window. I then
caught a glimpse of it this morning, as it made its
way behind some shrubs carrying something in its
mouth. Fortunately we don't have any suitable places
for it to make a den, but it was lovely to see.
"
FRIDAY
MARCH 23 - 2018
Riverbank
clearance
I went over to Brook Meadow this morning for the
planned river clearance. The two contractors (Phil and
Stew) were already clearing the river banks when I
arrived and they continued until late afternoon.
Several volunteers
turned up to clear the cuttings from the banks and
deposit them on the dumps.
Everyone did a
brilliant job; the banks are now cleared and the river
looks splendid. Hopefully, a good habitat for the
return of Water Voles.
Butterbur
count
I did the
annual count of Butterbur flower spikes this
afternoon.
The total count was
568 which is roughly on a level with the past 2 years,
though well below the bumper years of 2013-15. As in
previous years the vast majority - 538 (95%) - were in
the area of grassland immediately north of the main
seat with a continuing diminishing number on the river
bank and other areas.
The following chart
shows the counts since 1999. The increase in Butterbur
numbers from 2009 coincides with its spread to the
area below the seat.
Swans
fight
Dan Mortimer
told me about a scrap on Peter Pond yesterday between
the resident cob swan and an intruding swan. The
latter came off worse and finished up in the ditch by
Dan's house and could not get out. Dan phoned David
Gattrell who got the bird out, but prematurely put it
back on the pond where it was promptly attacked again.
Dan thinks the intruder finally flew off. All was
quiet this morning with both swans on the pond and the
single egg in the nest.
THURSDAY
MARCH 22 - 2018
Great
Crested Grebe on millpond
Very exciting
news today came from John Jury who saw this fine Great
Crested Grebe in its summer plumage on the town
millpond. The bird is showing off its magnificent
ornate crest and deep black and orange head. This was,
as far as I am aware, the first Great Crested Grebe to
be seen on the millpond this winter and I think the
first since April 2013. So nice one, John! It might
well hang around, so check it out.
John also spotted a
Kingfisher in the harbour. Can you find it?
Langstone
Mill Pond
Peter
Milinets-Raby visited the Langstone Mill Pond his
lunchtime 11:55am to 1:25pm - tide pushing in to high
tide:
Off shore: Two pairs of Shoveler feeding on the tide
line - no idea where they went as the tide pushed in -
hope they make Langstone Mill Pond their summer
home.
15 Common Gull - all adults 6 to 18 Med Gulls, 1
winter plumaged Sandwich Tern - probably an over
wintering bird. 71 Brent Geese - feeding up for their
migration back north - see photo. 39 Teal - all
eventually moved to the flooded paddock, 12 Red
Breasted Merganser snoozing - see photo, 44 Shelduck,
1 Greenshank, 19 Wigeon.
Off Conigar Point in
the distance: 40 Shelduck, A pair of Pintail.
On the pond: 3 Chiffchaff - one singing, 1 Cetti's
Warbler singing - seen a couple of times
Mute Swan pair very busy building a new nest in the
reed bed to the left of the small bridge (Grey Heron
lookout point). 2 Little Egrets roosting.
Flooded Paddock - High tide: 18 Wigeon, 57 Teal, 1
Little Egret, 12 Moorhen, 1 white headed Buzzard flew
over - beware.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 21 - 2018
Brook
Meadow
Walking along
the north path on Brook Meadow this morning, my
attention was attracted by a very nice growth of
Hartstongue Fern on northern river bank by the
railway embankment. I have noticed it here before, but
today it looked particularly fine in the bright
sunshine.
I had my first
butterfly of the year, a beautiful Peacock by
the Weeping Willow. This is likely to be a male, fresh
out of hibernation, establishing its territory in
anticipation of a female. I am expecting to see
Brimstone, Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and
Small White very soon.
A less pleasant sight
nearby was a pair of dead Brown Rats. I suspect
these are from the garden of Gooseberry Cottage where
I often see rats foraging around the chicken run. How
they came to be here on the meadow, lying close
together, is a bit of a mystery, though it seems
unlikely that they died on this spot.
Stock Dove
calling from the south meadow - first of the year.
Hermitage
Millponds
On Peter Pond
the swan's nest is taking shape in much the
same place as it was last year - on the northern edge
of the main island. The nest, which is constructed
mostly from reed stems, stands well clear of the water
level. Both swans were present with the pen close to
the nest and the cob on the water nearby.
Interestingly, I could
see one exposed egg in the nest, so laying has already
started!
Meanwhile, over on
Slipper Millpond I found one of the Great
Black-backed Gulls on the centre raft where they
have usually nested - until last year when they were
ousted by a pair of Canada Geese. It will be
interesting to se if they try the centre raft again.
A Common
Redshank was feeding on the edge of Dolphin
Lake.
Garden
Blackcaps
My policy of
sticking rosy red apples on twigs in my garden is
working well. I have had both male and female
Blackcaps fairly regularly over the past 6 weeks,
usually feeding from the apples. Today I was pleased
to see a male Blackcap which I had not seen for a
while.
These birds are, of
course, winter migrants from the continent, and so
will soon to returning to their breeding grounds. They
will soon be replaced by a separate population of
Blackcaps from the Mediterranean and Africa, though
these summer visitors do not usually come into
gardens.
Periwinkles
Ralph Hollins
comments on my finding of Greater Periwinkle on
Warblington Road yesterday . .
You may think I am
being pedantic but what you call Greater Periwinkle is
something I call Vinca major var oxyloba
which I have been looking for in vain this
spring (though I have seen lots of Vinc
major (Greater Periwinkle) which can be seen
at . . .
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Vinca_major_NS.jpg/1200px-Vinca_major_NS.jpg
and has broad petals with very little gap between
them.
Your photo has the thin petals looking like aircraft
propeller blades which I believe to be var
Oxyloba which can be seen in the photo at . .
. https://outofmyshed.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/vinca-major-var-oxyloba-2-e1367566470766.jpg
In my monthly counts of flower species I count these
two variations separately.
TUESDAY
MARCH 20 - 2018
Nore
Barn
This morning I
walked over to Nore Barn to catch the incoming tide.
On the way along Warblington Road, I passed hundreds
of Sweet Violets in flower on the grass verge
just before the junction with Valetta Park, probably,
the best I have ever seen them.
There was also a nice
display of Greater Periwinkle further along the
road.
The tide was still
well out at Nore Barn, but the ever faithful
Spotted Redshank was present in the low water
stream, feeding along with a couple of Black-headed
Gulls. It must be getting very close to its departure
time, the latest date recorded was 27-Mar-13, but that
was exceptional. I took some photos and a video clip,
just in case it was the last time.
Short video clip of
the Spotted Redshank . . . https://youtu.be/s45rQr5KPIw
See Spotted Redshank
page for the first and last dates . . .
Spotted
Redshanks at Nore Barn
About 100 Brent
Geese on the western mudflats, but few in the main
harbour. Here's a couple feeding close to the shore.
SUNDAY
MARCH 18 - 2018
Emsworth
to Warblington
Peter
Milinets-Raby ventured out for a walk in the snow this
morning, starting at Emsworth Harbour at 6:45am and
finishing off at Warblington at 10:03am. Conditions:
snowing, chilly wind and low tide. Photo of Western
Parade.
Emsworth Harbour: 18
Teal, 1 Wigeon, 252 Brent Geese, 12 Dunlin, 17
Shelduck, 15 Med Gulls, 4 Greenshank (RG//- + BY//-),
2 Coot, 1 male Gadwall (first I've seen this winter?),
3 Red Breasted Merganser, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Grey
Plover, 4 Turnstone, 2 Little Egret, 3 Great Crested
Grebe, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Mute Swan.
Emsworth Mill Pond: 12 Coot, 3 Cormorant and a Little
Grebe.
Beacon Square: 59
Brent Geese, 1 Wigeon.
Nore Barn (from 7:51am): 2 Med Gulls, 1 Spotted
Redshank - flew into the stream calling, 45 Teal, 15
Wigeon, 8 Brent Geese.
Warblington: 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Med Gulls over,
Snipe heard only flying over.
Ibis Field: 35 Redwing over east, 2 Med Gulls over, 1
male Pheasant.
Big field behind Conigar Point: 1 migrant Chiffchaff
feeding at the base of a hedge, 10 Curlew, 3 Stock
Doves.
Conigar Point: 2 Greenshank, 144 Brent Geese, 2 male
& 3 female Pintail, 11 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 24
Golden Plover flew east along the channel, Meadow
Pipit Nine little groups totalling 23 and all
heading east, 2 Red Breasted Merganser, 1 Grey Plover,
3 Dunlin, 2 Med Gulls.
Off Pook Lane: 17
Knot, 37 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plover, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4
male & 4 female Pintail, 46 Shelduck, 4 Red
Breasted Merganser, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Teal, 17
Wigeon, 23 Brent Geese, 29 Golden Plover flew inland
heading north, Male Shoveler feeding along the tide
line, 5 Fieldfare and 11 Redwing flying over heading
east.
The bird of the
morning, was a splendid male Yellowhammer. It
was found feeding on the main seawall path, giving
exceptional views before a dog walker with two dogs
flushed it and I could not re-find it. This is a new
addition to my personal patch list and a species I did
not think would ever return. It was a relatively
regular breeder in the area up to the turn of the
century, but no records since the spring of 2003!
SATURDAY
MARCH 17 - 2018
Langstone
Heronry
Peter
Milinets-Raby sent a short update of the Heronry at
Langstone Mill Pond from observations made this week
(Weds, Thurs and Fri).
Number One nest (top of Holm Oak) - three grown young
(see photo). Getting ready to fledge, with wing
flapping observed. Also the adults were seen perched
on the nest ignoring begging calls and bringing sticks
in to rebuild the nest ready for a second
brood!!!
Number 10 nest - See
photo, "Do you need a hand with that stick?". This
nest was totally blown away by the winter winds, with
not a single stick remaining. The nest you see in the
photo was built up over just six days.
Other Holm Oak - Both
nests in this tree have sitting adults, though the top
nest to the left may have young.
Nest 9: Has tiny young
- movement observed, but too much vegetation in the
way!
Nest 7: - Nothing left
of this nest, but two adults were regularly bringing
in sticks to get it re-built. Taking shape very
quickly.
Other birds of note on
the pond were: Singing Reed Bunting and singing
Chiffchaff on Friday 16th March. Cetti's Warbler heard
singing on 15th. Off shore, 21 Bar-tailed Godwit on
14th.
THURSDAY
MARCH 15 - 2018
Brook
Meadow workday
I went over to
the meadow this morning for the regular 3rd Thursday
in the month conservation work session. The weather
was remarkably warm and was sunny. The session
attracted a group of 11 volunteers, including
newcomers Peter and Jim Garland. We were expecting the
new TCV officer to check us for insurance purposes,
but she did not turn up. The session was led by
Jennifer Rye who outlined the main task for the
morning which involved clearing the tangled mass of
Brambles from around the first Black Poplar tree on
the edge of the Lumley area.
Here is a short video
clip of some of the volunteers clearing Brambles from
another area of Brook Meadow.
Go to . . . https://youtu.be/PBD6VYUjJ9c
A full report of the
workday and more photos can be seen on the Brook
Meadow web site
Go to . . . https://www.brookmeadow.org.uk/conservation-news/
Wildlife
observations
There was
plenty of birdsong on this spring-like morning,
including Robin, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blackbird, Wren
and the regular Song Thrush on the north meadow. I was
half expecting a butterfly, but no luck.
We have a very good
crop of Lesser Celandines on the meadow this
year, scattered over most of the grassland. The number
of petals on the flowers varies; most seem to have 8
or 9 petals, though there are two flowers in the photo
below with 10. I did a special Celandine petal count
survey in March 2005 when I had up to 12 petals on
some flowers.
The Butterbur
flower spikes are now well developed on the area
of grassland immediately below the main seat. I
usually try to carry out the annual count towards the
end of March. I actually did last year's count on Mar
17, though I shall leave it a week or so this year to
give the plants elsewhere on the meadow a chance to
develop.
While walking down the
flooded eastern side of the south meadow, I disturbed
a pair of Mallard and discovered a duck's egg floating
in the water where they had been standing. The egg was
broken and empty, though on closer inspection I
discovered what I think was a small Nursery-web
spider (Pisaura mirabilis) taking
shelter inside. I did not disturb the spider and
replaced the egg shell where I found it.
The clearance work by
the volunteers exposed a nice growth of what looks
like Many-zoned Polypore (Coriolus
versicolor) on a dead branch. This is a fairly
common fungus growing on dead wood on Brook Meadow.
MONDAY
MARCH 12 - 2018
Brook
Meadow
I had a walk
through the meadow on this mild and drizzly morning. I
was greeted at the Seagull Lane gate by the strident
song of a Song Thrush - singing from the tall
Crack Willow north of the north bridge. What a
wonderful voice! I managed to get a few shots of it
high in the tree and a short video clip . . .
https://youtu.be/TflyonL90O0
Other birds heard in
song on the meadow were Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock,
Wren, Blackbird and Woodpigeon. I spotted a Goldcrest
in the bushes near the Lumley Stream, but I would not
hear it even if it was singing - its song is far
beyond my aged hearing.
Alder near the outflow on the north bend by the
outflow is covered in catkins and cones from last
year.
Primroses are now out
on the north path on the river bank - planted several
years ago. The Cherry Plum is now in full blossom on
the causeway, contrasting well with the yellow Gorse.
Hermitage
Millponds
When I reached
Peter Pond, I found the pen Mute Swan engaged
in some preliminary nest building on the island near
the road, which is where she nested last year. There
was no sign of the cob, which usually joins in the
activity when it is serious.
Here is a short video
clip of the swan . . . https://youtu.be/avJ9t7LKqBs
Meanwhile, over on
Slipper Millpond I located 4 and possibly 5
Mediterranean Gulls having a good wash and
brush up with the Black-headed Gulls. Here is a shot
of four of them.
And a short video clip
of the gulls on YouTube at . . . https://youtu.be/kehpXVFRMhg
Signs
of spring
There is a
fresh growth of Hairy Garlic (Allium
subhirsutum) at the eastern end of the path
behind Lillywhite's Garage. This is distinguished by
the hairs on the edges of the leaves. Later we should
see some white flowers.
The Sweet
Violets are stil flowering well at the other end
of the path.
It was good to see the
first of the yellow Pussy Willow catkins
opening on the Goat Willow on the edge of the
stream in Bridge Road car park.
Mallards
return to garden
I was not
entirely surprised to see a pair of Mallards feeding
on the fallen seeds in the back garden this morning.
They were here at this time last year and were regular
visitors to the garden until the end of June. They
must come along the Westbrook Stream which runs along
the end of the garden.
Short-eared
Owls at Thorney
Tony Wootton
went down to the end of the Thornham Lane area on
Saturday evening and saw 3 possibly 4 Short-eared
Owls. They were mainly around the landing lights on
Thorney Island, occasionally in the field opposite the
last property in Thornham Lane and occasionally in
Thornham Point field. Here is a nice shot that Tony
got of one perched on a post.
Racton
Park Farm
Caroline
French went over to Racton Park Farm on Sunday to
count the Rook nests before the leaves come
out. She only counted 35 nests which is way below what
it used to be when I did this count 10 years ago when
I often had around 65 nests.
However, Caroline was pleased to find a Little
Owl again in the large old Oak trees in the large
field to the south of the farm. It was in a different
tree this time. Well spotted Caroline. I always found
these small Owls devilishly difficult to find in the
knarled Oaks.
FRIDAY
MARCH 9 - 2018
Nore
Barn
Peter
Milinets-Raby decided to visit Nore Barn this
afternoon 1:40pm to 2:20pm - tide coming in - light
drizzle, not pleasant.
The highlight was the lack of Brent Geese, not
a single bird to be seen. Almost certainly all on the
fields of North Hayling fattening themselves up ready
for their impending migration to the north. Some
flocks were seen in the far distance milling about in
flight over Hayling, but not a single bird near Nore
Barn!!
The birds OF note were: 8 male and 6 female Pintail,
An adult summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull bathing in
the mouth of the stream. 45 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 2
Black tailed Godwit, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 42 Teal,
37 Wigeon. And the usual Spotted Redshank along the
stream.
THURSDAY
MARCH 8 - 2018
Great
Black-backed Gulls back on Slipper Millpond
Brian Lawrence
found the pair of Great Black-backed Gulls back
on Slipper Millpond today, on the south raft, which is
where they nested last year for the first time, having
been ousted from their regular nesting platform on the
centre raft by a pair of Canada Geese. They seem to
have settled on the smaller south raft as a reasonable
alternative - they successfully raised two youngsters
last year.
This will be the 7th
year running that these magnificent gulls have nested
on the Slipper Millpond rafts. For details and photos
of the breeding on Slipper Millpond over the years go
to the dedicated web page at . . . Great
Black-backed Gulls on Slipper Millpond
Grey-headed
Cormorants
Brian also got
this great shot of three grey-headed Cormorants
on the centre raft on Slipper Millpond in full
breeding plumage. Although the regular British race of
Cormorants P. carbo do get white neck
areas in early spring, my guess is that these three
birds are members of the tree-nesting Continental race
ssp sinensis
Ralph Hollins points
out that the shape of the yellow Gular patch is the
most reliable way to separate the two races of
Cormorants. The bird in the centre of Brian's photo
looks to have the right angle of gular patch, though
this is not clear in the other two birds. But, other
features suggest they are probablky all
sinensis.
For information on gular patch see . . .
http://www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk/rspb/latestnews/birdsightings/birdsightings2011/photos/Feb%202011/Cormorant%20CE/Cormorants.pdf
Short-eared
Owls
Mark Wagstaff
reports on GoingBirding seeing 3, possibly 4
Short-eared Owls over the large field at Thornham
Point at the far end of Thornham Lane. Mark could not
get a photo of the Owls in flight, though he did
manage to get this cracking shot of one of them
perched with ear tufts raised.
Thornham Point is
usually quite a good spot to see these beautiful owls
flying. Here is a nice shot that Tony Wootton got of
one in flight at Thornham Point a few years ago.
Langstone
Mill Pond
Peter
Milinets-Raby had a visit to the Langstone Mill Pond
this lunchtime from 12:40pm to 2:15pm - tide pushing
in to high tide. The highlights were as follows:
Off shore. 2 male and a female Goldeneye, 2 Great
crested Grebe, 15 Med Gulls resting on the mud before
the tide pushed them off, 7 Common Gull, 1 Greenshank
(G//R + BR//-), 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 217 Dunlin, 89
Teal, 240 Brent Geese, 57 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 2 Avocet
- eventually found resting on the island as the tide
pushed in, 1 Red Breasted Merganser, 19 Lapwing, 1
Bar-tailed Godwit.
In the distance off Conigar Point: 2 Red Breasted
Merganser, 45 Shelduck.
On the pond itself: 1 Cetti's Warbler watched feeding
along the edge of the reed bed. It was calling very
quietly and faintly, "chip, chip, chip". Great
views.
Grey Heron colony: Nest One: Top of Holm Oak - At
least two fairly grown young Nest 4 and Nest 11:
(Other Holm Oak): Adults sitting tight on these nests.
Nest 9: Both adults observed tending to very tiny
chicks - movement observed, no numbers.
Flooded Horse paddock: 2 Mistle Thrush, 10 Teal,
Female Shoveler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Wigeon, 2
Oystercatcher, 13 Moorhen, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Little
Egrets, 2 Grey Heron.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 7 - 2018
Grey
Squirrel
Sue Thomas
enjoyed watching a Grey Squirrel in her Westbourne
garden. "Foraging in the leaf litter below a Hazel
tree the Squirrel came up with a hazelnut after a
little digging about. It was fascinating to watch but
I shall probably curse if it becomes a regular visitor
and attacks my bird feeders! So many people complain
about the squirrels in their gardens, but I was
interested to see it looking for hazelnuts."
I agree with Sue. Grey
Squirrels are delightful creatures. Personally, I am
prepared to tolerate a certain amount of damage to the
feeders.
Invasive
species in Emsworth Marina
John Arnott
has been studying the organisms encrusted on the
pontoons which are out of the water at Emsworth Yacht
Harbour.
The Australian
Tubeworm (Ficopomatus enigmaticus) is
the most abundant species on the pontoons. It has been
introduced from somewhere unknown in the southern
hemisphere.
John has also
identified the black Bryozoan or Sea Mat as
Watersipora subatra or Red Ripple
Bryozoan with help from the experts at the Marine
Biological Association in Plymouth. This is another
non-native invasive species though its native range is
currently unknown. The English name Red Ripple
Bryozoan refers to living specimens. When dead the
whole organism turns black and, as I found, dries to
the texture of flaky paint.
A few days ago the
pontoons were still out of the water if anyone wants
to have a look. Walk to the sea wall from the Yacht
Harbour car park and the pontoons are on the left of
the track though all the turned up lobes have now
dropped off leaving just flat circular patches a few
inches across.
MONDAY
MARCH 5 - 2018
Nore
Barn
I had a walk
along Warblington Road to Nore Barn this morning.
There is a good flowering of Sweet Violets on
the grass verge in the usual place, just before the
junction with Valetta Park. I was pleased to hear my
first Chaffinch song of the year from a garden
along Warblington Road, though I subsequently heard
several more in Nore Barn Woods. Interesting how they
all seem to start singing at the same time. I also
heard several Dunnocks which started yesterday.
Spring is in the air!
The tide was rising at
Nore Barn with the stream filling up. The regular
Spotted Redshank was feeding in the upper
reaches of the stream along with its companion the
colour-ringed Greenshank G+GL. There were signs from
some of my photos that the Spotted Redshank is
undergoing its annual pre-nuptial moult of its tail
feathers - see photo on the right below.
From previous years I would expect the Spotted
Redshank to be here for at least another week and
maybe more. Last sights over the past two years were
21-Mar and 16-Mar.
See the special Spotted Redshank page for all
historical records of this birds . . .
Spotted
Redshanks at Nore Barn
Just a few Brent
Geese, Teal and Wigeon were feeding at the edge of the
channel south of the woods, but most will already have
left.
I was pleased to
discover a small group of Black-tailed Godwits also
feeding around the grasses at the edge of the channel.
Langstone
Mill Pond
Peter
Milinets-Raby had a visit to Langstone Mill pond this
lunchtime for an hour (11:27am just before the tide
finally pushed in). His report follows . . .
The first bird I noticed was a half swimming, half
wading Avocet amongst 5 Shelduck. Not easy to pick
up!! Some good views for a minute before the incoming
water pushed it off and it flew to the island in the
middle of the channel where it went straight to sleep
next to a second Avocet. Obviously the same birds from
yesterday.
Other birds noted were: 7 Med Gulls (all in summer and
calling regularly), 184 Dunlin, 16 Black -tailed
Godwit, 56 Teal, 3 Turnstone, 276 Brent Geese, 68
Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Plover, 4
Lapwing, 31 Wigeon.
Brent with pale
flanks
Great Crested
Grebes
On the pond : Pair of
Shoveler (Still lingering - it would be so good if
they stay to breed), 3 Teal,
Grey Heron colony: Top Holm Oak: One chick seen, but
with the chilly wind it soon ducked down, so no idea
how many young in this nest yet!
Flooded horse paddock : 128 Teal, 13 Moorhen, 1 Grey
Heron, 1 Redshank, 1 Mistle Thrush.
Garden
birds
Barrie Jay
recorded 23 species of birds in his Waterlooville
garden over the 3 snow days last week. Winter Thrushes
have now gone, but Song Thrush remains.
Fieldfare and
Song Thrush
Barrie also got a nice
shot of what I think is a male Goldcrest - the
male usually has some orange in its crest which is
just visible in Barrie's photo, whereas the female's
crest is plain yellow.
The bright orange
crown of the male Goldcrest is very prominent when
raised in excitement. Here is a shot of a male with a
fine orange crest taken on Brook Meadow a couple of
years ago.
Elaine Morgan had a
splendid flock of around 30 Fieldfares feeding
in a tree in her garden in Valetta Park Emsworth. They
rested in the tree for a long time with their feathers
well and truly fluffed and Elaine had a great view
from her window. Lucky lady. I have yet to see one in
my garden.
Caroline French was
also very fortunate to have a Mistle Thrush in
her North Emsworth garden. Now that is a bird I have
not seen anywhere for over a year. A rare one indeed.
SUNDAY
MARCH 4 - 2018
Brook
Meadow work session
I went over to
the meadow this morning for the regular 1st Sunday in
the month work session. 12 volunteers attended,
including newcomers Nick and Sharon Robinson. Jennifer
led, the main job being to move the large logs
produced by Mike Reed's tree lopping in Palmer's Road
Copse. These will be used to reinforce the river banks
for Water Vole habitat as suggested by Sarah Hughes.
They also had a
bonfire of all the bits on the Seagull Lane patch.
For the full report
plus more photos go to . . . https://www.brookmeadow.org.uk/conservation-news/
Birds I heard singing
included Robin, Wren, Blackbird and, for the first
time this 'spring' Dunnock. In fact, two
Dunnocks were singing in competition. This is the best
snap I got of one of them in a bramble bush.
Nick pointed out a
mass of tiered bracket fungi on a fallen Crack Willow
across the river south of the north bridge. From a
distance they look like Many-zoned Polypore
(Coriolus versicolor) .
Dan thought he saw a
Water Rail on the river bank south of the north
bridge, though I was not able to confirm. I had a
phone call from Caroline French who was concerned
about a pair of Swan on the pond on Hampshire Farm.
However, as she was talking they flew off!
Warblington
shore
Peter
Milinets-Raby was out this morning to wander around
the Warblington shore from 7:07am to 10:02am - low
tide throughout. A good wader day.
Cemetery: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egrets in the
field to the west - no sign of the Cattle Egret,
probably moved on when the snow fell!!!
Ibis Field: 4 Moorhen, male Pheasant.
Big fields behind Conigar Point: Rotten pile of hay
gone and redistributed . . . 18 Curlew, 2 singing
Skylark with 4 others in the field, 5 Lapwing.
Conigar Point: 5 male and 8 female Pintail, 29 Wigeon,
19 Teal, 54 Dunlin, 7 Grey Plover, 544 Brent Geese
(500+ flew off the fields from North Hayling and
landed on the low tide mud - very noisy honking!). 1
Greenshank, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Bar-tailed
Godwit, 3 Red Breasted Merganser, 1 Shelduck, 1
Turnstone.
Off Pook Lane: 2 Avocet (nice to see these), 92
Wigeon, 115 Brent Geese, 192 Dunlin, 12 Grey Plover,
47 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Red
Breasted Merganser, 67 Shelduck (A new maxima total
for March for this site), 72 Black-tailed Godwit, 48
Lapwing (with 2 in the field south of the cemetery) -
{Usually by March, there are no Lapwings to be seen,
so this residual cold weather numbers are new March
maxima for this site}. 5 Golden Plover, 3 male and 5
female Pintail, 1 Rock Pipit on the shore. 2 Med Gulls
(partial summer on the mud and a full summer flew over
calling). 40+ Teal.
FRIDAY
MARCH 2 - 2018
Winter
Thrushes in gardens
As expected,
winter thrushes from the continent have been turning
up in local gardens, though not in mine as yet! Barrie
Jay has had both Redwing and Fieldfare in his
Waterlooville garden and John Jury reports seeing 6
Fieldfares enjoying the windfall apples in his garden
in Beach Road, Emsworth. John noted that the
Fieldfares were chasing each other and seeing off
Blackbirds. Barrie has also been getting a regular
Song Thrush and a Goldcrest along with about 50
Goldfinches! Wow!
Here are Barrie's
photos
I counted about 30
Goldfinches in this photo alone.
Here are a couple of
crackers from John
In my own garden here
in Bridge Road, an increase in Chaffinches (to 9) and
Blackbirds (to 5, including 4 males) also indicates
the arrival of visitors from the Continent. The female
Blackcap, which has been present on and off for much
of the day feeding on rosy apples which I have stuck
to twigs in trees, is another winter migrant from the
Continent. There has been no sign of the male which
was here last week. The presence of a Wren doing a
Treecreeper imitation is a sure sign of cold weather.
A pair of Brown Rats
made a less than welcome appearance from underneath
the shed to rummage around the seed droppings in the
snow. I am sure they are the ones that have been
burrowing into the compost heap which is right next to
the shed.
Dead
Swan
Nicola Hammond
ventured into town this morning for breakfast at the
Driftwood Cafe and saw a dead Mute Swan which was
suspended in the ice at the town quay by the Slipper
sailing club. She said it had a bare 'ring' at the
base of its neck, as if it had been plucked of
feathers. "When we came back the tide was up and it
had floated under the bridge. The usual pair of swans
were on guard on the millpond so maybe it was from the
family of 5 juveniles".
Yes, I agree with Nicola. It may well have been the
victim of an attack from the resident millpond swans.
THURSDAY
MARCH 1 - 2018
Garden
birds
The weather
was so cold that I spent most of the day just looking
at the birds in my back garden here in Bridge Road
Emsworth. I had put plenty of food out for them, both
in feeders and on the ground. I even tried to break
the ice in the bird bath, though it quickly froze
again.
During the day, I recorded 18 species, but nothing
special. Here is the count: Blackbird 4 (probably
including continental birds), Blackcap 1 female
(feeding on apple), Blue Tit 1, Chaffinch 9
(constantly clearing up under the feeders), Dunnock 2,
Goldfinch 3, Great Tit 2, House Sparrow 3, Jackdaw 2,
Long-tailed Tit 1, Magpie 2, Robin 1, Sparrowhawk 1
(flew through without stopping), Starling 4, Stock
Dove 1, Woodpigeon 2, Wren 1 (surprisingly active).
The only one of the regulars that did not turn up was
Greenfinch.
In view of the
extremely cold weather, I was hoping winter thrushes
might turn up, but no such luck. However, Sue Thomas
did have a Fieldfare on a berry laden tree for
a couple of hours in her Westbourne garden. Sue says
two came along but this bird spent some time chasing
the other away. That surprised her as they often
feeding together quite happily in a flock in the
fields. I suppose the scarcity of the food determined
this behaviour.
Langstone
Mill Pond
Peter
Milinets-Raby ventured out to Langstone Mill Pond this
lunchtime before the snow moved in 11:30am to 12:45pm
- High tide - wicked chilly east wind and a
temperature of -4C. No wonder half of the pond was
frozen over, plus the sea foam had frozen like ice and
some pretty icicles were near the weir - see photos.
With no where else to
go the pond had attracted 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 4
Common Gulls and a partial summer Med Gull (see
photos).
Also on the pond were
46 Teal, a female Shoveler and sheltering from the
wind at the rear of the island were 9 Little Egrets.
No chick noise from the Heron nests (heard a couple of
days ago).
As the tide fell, the waders were leaving their high
tide roosts early (no doubt a result of the cold
weather) and were coming in and feeding along the tide
line right in front of the Pub. Some great views, just
a shame it was grey and bitterly cold. The numbers
built up to 4 Grey Plover, 3 Redshank, 19 Dunlin, 3
Ringed Plovers (-//- + Y//LR), 1 Greenshank (G//R +
BR//-), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Teal, 13 Wigeon and 3
Brent Geese
Off shore: 82 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested
Grebe, 9 Red Breasted Merganser. Overhead going west,
a flock of 7 Lapwing.
Fox
in garden
Peter filled
the Fox hole under his garden shed in on Saturday and
again on Monday. And still it dug out the hole out
again on Tuesday night - a very persistent individual.
Still no sightings! Too cold to sort out at the
moment, but I might have to resort to those drastic
measures mentioned by your reader . . . . . . Mike
Reed.
For
the previous month go to . . . February
1-26
