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Shelduck
© Richard Coomber
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Adrian and Kay arranged this coach trip to
Titchfield Haven NNR and as usual it was well supported. On arrival we
checked-in through the reserve’s visitor centre and set off to explore the
trails and to visit various hides that overlooked scrapes, lagoons and marshes.
By
far the most conspicuous birds were the noisy Black-headed Gulls, but the
scrapes also held a variety of other species including Avocets, Shelduck and
some migrant shorebirds including Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. From the
surrounding willows and other trees sang Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and
Chiffchaff, whilst in the reeds and adjacent scrub Reed
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Greater Pond Sedge
© Richard Coomber
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Bunting, Reed and Sedge
Warblers and Common Whitethroat were found. Also seen were Common and Sandwich
Terns, Marsh Harrier, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe. A
Merlin was heard, but only as a Spitfire flew over!
Although
the weather was overcast a few butterflies, such as Brimstone and Orange-tip, ventured forth and along the ditches and water
margins grew Comfrey, Yellow Iris and various grasses and sedges including Greater and
Lesser Pond Sedges.
Our
thanks to Adrian and Kay for arranging the trip and to the driver of Solent
Coaches for negotiating roads that probably don’t see many coaches – Thank you!
RC