High water (Hurst Point) 11.20 – Spring tide.
On a lovely morning Duncan welcomed the group
of 16 members with a special welcome to two walks newbies, Barbara and John.
Given the state of
tide and the presence of a cool south westerly wind, the leader decided that
the group would set off along the Ancient Highway to the Lower Pennington Lane
car park (to look over the flooded fields) then to Pennington outfall before returning
to Keyhaven. Before leaving the car park we were able to enjoy good views of a
female Marsh Harrier.
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| Goat Willow © Richard Coomber |
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| Ruff © Chris Robinson |
After
a degree of clamouring from the troops, we had our mandatory biscuit stop before
setting off for the sea wall and it must be reported that, again, there was a
choice of dark and milk chocolate digestives! Chris forewent the biscuits,
instead continuing towards the outfall. He returned several minutes later with
his reward – an excellent photograph of basking adders.
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| Adders © Chris Robinson |
We
had a really close view of a hovering male Kestrel before reaching the seawall
where there was a good number of Dunlin and Turnstone. A Spotted Redshank was
seen as were two Great Crested Grebes.
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| Kestrel hovering © Richard Coomber |
On
the walk along the seawall there were Reed Buntings, a Rock Pipit and lots of
Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Particular worthy of mention are the ‘white’ Ruff on
Butts Lagoon, a Chiffchaff, a quartering Marsh Harrier, the pair of Peregrines on
the usual stone block, a Spoonbill on Keyhaven Lagoon, the good numbers of
Pintail and Shelduck together with another significant flock of Golden Plover.
We
arrived back at the carpark at 13.03 and, although, one member made some crack
about packed lunches and overnight accommodation being needed for this bird
walk, we were privileged to have seen 55 species.
In summary, a most enjoyable walk with good company! (DW)
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| Spoonbill at Keyhaven Lagoon with Pintail and (in background) Shelduck © Richard Smith |