Walk report: 23 February 2023 Sturt with Julia Race & Andrea Janssens

Black-tailed Godwits in formation © Chris Robinson

Starting out towards Sturt Pond from the adjacent car park at 10 am under a cold grey sky, the tide was coming in with high tide due at 12.30 pm.  We saw Rooks and Wood Pigeons in the car park, while Black-headed Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull hovered over the sea.  At the pond were Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard, Black-tailed Godwit (one in breeding plumage), Redshank and a Little Egret. 


Common Teal © Richard Smith

Little Egret © Richard Smith

Walking alongside the channel below the spit we enjoyed an excellent view of a Little Egret feeding in the channel, shaking each leg in turn to dislodge its prey from the mud.  As we reached the footbridge we encountered a flock of twenty-two Mute Swans and looking out towards the spit a flock of more than fifty Brent Geese.

Curlew © Chris Robinson

Walking across the footbridge and taking the road towards Keyhaven we saw Pied Wagtail on the road.  Looking out over the water and mud we saw Oystercatchers, Curlew, Pintail, Redshank and Teal.  Taking a gate on the right to follow a path by the water we stopped to look at a Sea Mayweed un-seasonally in flower, and noticed the leaves of Spotted Medick along the path side.  

Sea Mayweed © Julia Race

Spotted Medick leaves © Julia Race

The sun came out and the sky brightened, in the water we spotted Dunlin, Spoonbill and Grey Plover.  Looking inland, a Roe Deer rested in the sun with a Pheasant in the nearby field, and a Jay heard.  A female Stonechat was found in the nearby hedge and a Wren in the reeds.

Stonechat - female © Chris Robinson

As we re-traced our steps a Skylark dropped into the field and a Reed Bunting was seen by the channel. Stopping in the hide by Sturt Pond we saw Collared Dove, Cormorant, Redshank, Teal and Jackdaw. JR & AJ

Reed Bunting - male © Chris Robinson

Our route
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The licence is valid until 31 December 2023


 

 


This week's talk is by Zoom: 28 February 2023: a Life on the Wing with Barbara Polonora

Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 7.15pm, via Zoom (Members only by invitation)

Speaker: Barbara Polonora

 

Title: A Life on the Wing

 

This is a change from our published programme as unfortunately Patricia Wiltshire is unwell, so Barbara has agreed swap dates with her.

 We look forward to discovering the amazing lives of House Martins, Swifts and Swallows with Barbara who is from House Martin Conservation UK.

The talk will last for approximately 60 minutes, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

 

Please try your Zoom connection prior to the evening and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need some support.

 

Before that, from 7 pm, there is an interesting 15 minute slideshow from Tina Vaughan.

Walk report: 30 January 2023 Keyhaven bird walk with Chris Robinson - UPDATE

Spoonbill NC6U © Richard Coomber

Those members on Chris' last Keyhaven walk will have seen a ringed Spoonbil NC6U, which he reported to the Dutch aurthorities and at last has received the ringing and subsequent sighting detail.

NC6U was ringed as a nestling on 10th June 2022 and was first reported from Poole Harbour on 15th August. Until December it was seen at various sites around the harbour, before being seen on several occasions around Stanpit Marsh. The first sighting for 2023 came from Lymington/Keyhaven reserve on 26th January and seen by our group four days later.