Big Birding Spring Walk, 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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