Big Birding Spring Walk, 2024

 


For the past 4 years, at the end of April, Mark and I have undertaken a day of ‘low carbon’ birding, during which we try to see as many species as possible in our local area, while remaining on-foot. I say ‘low’ rather than ‘zero’-carbon as the day does require a ten minute car journey to the coast, where we start with a sea watch, before walking home to Sway in the New Forest, returning later to collect the car. As outlined below, the walk takes us through a variety of habitats, passing through the marshes at Keyhaven / Normandy, along the Lymington River, through the mixed deciduous / coniferous Royden Woods and back across the heathland, a distance of around 23 Km (just over 14 miles). Last year’s total of 110 bird species was our highest yet – and was therefore the target to beat.

 

05.37 – 07.45: Seawatch at Hurst Spit

For this year’s walk, on 30th April 2024 we arrived at Hurst Spit, near Milford-on-Sea shortly before sunrise. The strong South Easterly wind suggested we might get some rarities being blown into the Solent – unsurprisingly a few other birders had similar thoughts and by 6.30 there were already six Swarovski telescopes pointing seawards. An early close-in Gannet was promising, with plenty of Herring and Black-headed gulls, a single Mediterranean Gull, and Common and Sandwich Terns overhead. A mixed flock of Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits circled the beach a few times; Sanderling, Sparrowhawk and Sand Martin were useful early additions to the list, along with the Rock Pipits on the beach. However, the sea itself remained disappointingly quiet. A few Common Scoters and two Shags were seen distantly, before a close view of a pale morph Arctic Skua provided the highlight of the sea watch. At 07.45 we abandoned the sea and headed for the marshes – sadly missing the single Pomerine Skua which passed through the Solent an hour after our departure.


 Early morning views of the Isle of Wight from Hurst Spit


07.50-12.00: Keyhaven, Pennington and Normandy Marshes

The South Easterly wind persisted as we headed along the road to Keyhaven, picking up a few of the common garden birds as we passed the houses, including a pair of Stock Dove on a rooftop. Reed Warblers and Whitethroat were singing in good numbers along with Blackcap and Chiffchaff. A pair of Marsh Harrier were flying over the reedbeds at Avon Flood alongside two Greylag Geese. A short diversion along Iley Lane enabled us to add Egyptian Goose to the list, but there was no sign of the Wood Sandpiper which had been seen recently on the flooded fields. Sedge Warbler was audible, and Lesser Whitethroat visible along the Ancient Highway at the back of the marshes. The long-staying drake Scaup on Jetty Lagoon was the highlight of a rather disappointing selection of wildfowl, although a pair of Eider and a small flock of Brent Geese were seen on the sea. Good numbers of Avocet were present throughout the marshes, many evidently sitting on eggs, along with Snipe, Greenshank, Common and Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Grey  and Ringed Plover. A Cuckoo flying along the sea wall, was a surprise, and as we left the marshes, past the Lymington Marina, we enjoyed fine views of one of the introduced White-tailed Eagles overhead. A break for sustenance at the café next to Lymington Lido enabled a count up of species:  94  was 7 ahead of last year’s total at that point.

 


Drake Scaup on Jetty Lagoon



12.15-15.30: Lymington River and Boldre Lane

Feeling suitably refreshed and re-energized we headed through Lymington – picking up views of Swift, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Feral Pigeon, before crossing the river and following Undershore Road alongside the Reedbeds. Out of the wind, the warm late April sunshine required us to shed some layers of clothing as we moved inland. Singing Firecrests outnumbered the Goldcrests in the trees along the road, along with many of the common woodland species including Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Tree Creeper. Red-legged Partridge in a field off Vicar’s Hill was an unusual sighting which we had not recorded in previous years, and a fitting way to bring up our century.


A secluded view of the river near Boldre Bridge


The river at Shallow Lane provided our most surprising sighting of the day – as we scanned the mud in vain for Green Sandpiper, a Blackbird flew across the river, hotly pursued by a Tawny Owl, presumably annoyed at being woken from its daytime slumber. Crossing Boldre Bridge, the sound of Teal calling was followed by views of an adult pair with ducklings, and shortly after this a pair of Mandarin Ducks salvaged some pride to our meagre wildfowl list. Breaking for our further refreshments in a secluded section of river we were rewarded with views of our first Grey Wagtail, while Comma brought the butterfly list up to 7.


Comma: one of seven butterfly species seen during the course of the day

 

15.30 – 17.00: Royden Woods

Having already found many of the woodland species, our target list by this point was dwindling. We quickly added Marsh Tit, which brought us to 110, and moving to a clearing at Setley Common, a flock of Siskin narrowly beat Tree Pipit to become our record breaker. Redstart, Nuthatch, Coal Tit and an overhead Red Kite vaulted us further into uncharted territory.

 

17.00-18.00: Setley Plain and Longslade to Sway

In previous years we have stopped for ‘rehydration’ at the Filly Inn; last year’s visit proved worthwhile as we added both Red Kite and Hobby from the beer garden. Sadly, gathering clouds to the west dictated that we skip this pleasure and head straight back across the heath. Our recent Garden Warbler remained silent as we passed its usual patch of scrub and although we added Willow Warbler to bring the total to 117 (excluding the ‘uncountable’ Eagle) we were unable to find a Dartford Warbler, as the light deteriorated and drizzle descended. Dartford was one of six species on the 2023 list that we missed this year, the others being Wigeon, Shoveler, Hobby, Peregrine and Wheatear.


The full list for 2024 - 'dots' indicate those species also not seen in 2023


So a new record has now been set – 117 becomes the figure to beat in 2025 and will certainly be a significant challenge. Missing a rare Skua was our only minor disappointment of 2024. As an angler might say, it was ‘the Pom that got away…’

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