Butser Hill 29/09/25

 An hour at Butser Hill this afternoon in the search for a Ring Ouzel didn't produce much.

Plenty of Chaffinches were seen, along with good numbers of Chiffchaff, Linnet, Meadow Pipits, Blue Tits, and Goldfinch. 

A Green Woodpecker was also seen in flight.

So no Ring Ouzel, but a nice walk with the sun shining.

Farlington Marshes 17/09/25

After being dropped off at the car park, I started walking towards the lake, with a few Curlew and Redshank in the harbour seen along the way.

On a much fuller lake than last week, there was hardly a wader to be seen, with mostly Mallards seen, but also plenty of Gadwall, Wigeon, Shelduck, and Teals visible. A few Mute Swans flew a few meters past me, giving an interesting photo opportunity.

As I continued on, two birds on a fence interested me. As I had thought, they were the species I had been hoping to see today- Whinchat...finally. I've managed to avoid this species so far this year, missing them wherever I go, so I was pleased to finally get them on my list.

The two I was looking at flew off, so I continued on the path, seeing another two Whinchat in some bushes.

I continued on to The Deeps, where not much was noticeable, except the large number of Canadian Geese, which I haven't seen so much of since they left earlier this year. The returning Barnacle Goose was also back, visible amongst the Canadas.

After a good while longer walking, not much else was seen, with nothing at all on the stream by the visitor hut, while at the bench along the stream, only a few Gulls were visible.

With plenty of time still left before I was to be picked up, I continued around the seawall to do the loop again. 

A sight which I haven't seen here before was a cow on the path, which had broken free via a broken fence

Nothing new was on the lake, and around the corner, at least one Whinchat was seen again, along with a few Stonechats, and distantly, at least 4 Wheatear.

After another hour or so of looking about, another Whinchat was seen, a few Ringed Plovers, and a Chiffchaff were all to be found. The Barnacle Goose was closer to the seawall, so I got some better shots of it.

So, finally a Whinchat! Another great trip, which had been very enjoyable, even if a bit wet...

Titchfield Haven 11/09/25

 In what is due to become a regular fixture now, I have a pass, two birding friends, and I went down to the haven for an hour or two.

A while spent in Meon Shore produced 8 Curlew Sandpipers, which came very close, although the reeds made it difficult to photograph. Other highlights included two Ruff, a Great Black-backed Gull, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, and two Common Terns. Plenty of Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Black-headed Gulls, and Starlings were also seen.

After some heavy rain abated, we headed over to the Pumfrett Hide, where 3 Ruff were seen, at least 2 of the Curlew Sands, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Buzzards, and a few Shoveler. No sign of the previously reported phalarope, though. 

Sadly, with time pressing, we had to leave, but it had been a great time, especially seeing the Curlew Sandpipers so well. 

Photos to come.

Farlington Marshes, Northney Paddocks, Hayling Oysterbeds- 09/09/25

 Over the past week, an incredible influx of Glossy Ibis has arrived on our shores, with well over 300 individuals seen, including some flocks up to above 40. Not wanting to miss out, I headed down to Farlington after finishing school to see if I could pick up the one there.

After arriving, I walked along the path to the visitor hut to look over the stream. Nothing of note was visible, with plenty of ducks and waders present. I walked along the path adjacent to the stream towards the bench, where a single Little Stint was visible a bit of a way out. 

With nothing else showing there, I continued on along the path when a bird flying away from me above the reeds caught my attention. As soon as I saw its side on profile, I knew what it was. The curved beak and wing shapes were obvious; this was the Glossy Ibis I had been hoping for.

It flew up and about for 30 seconds or so before dropping down in the reeds.

I had only ever seen a Glossy Ibis once before, early last year, so I was pleased to add it to my year list and also see one again - they are definitely one of the more exotic species we have here. It soon disappeared from view, so I walked on towards the main lake. 

Amongst the cattle, at least 10 Yellow Wagtails were feeding.

The lake was very packed, with large quantities of Redshank, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Dunlin and Greenshank. There was also a Bar-tailed Godwit, one Golden Plover, and a few Knot.

I walked back along the stream to see if the Little Stint and Glossy were showing again, and a Swallow perched up along the way.

There was no sign of the Glossy, but two Little Stints were seen along the stream. 

As nothing else seemed to be about, I decided to bike to Hayling Island to see if I could finally get a Pied Flycatcher...

At the paddocks, I did manage a Spotted Flycatcher calling from behind a bush, but that was all. 

I then went to the Oysterbeds to see if anything interesting was there, with lots of Ringed Plovers, a Great Black-Backed Gull, three Common Sandpipers and a few Common Terns, all that was seen.

I had to go back and catch my train, so I left Hayling and went back to Havant. 

Another good trip, with a great species seen, and another new bird for my year list( now at 183, I think). Hopefully, the bad weather over the next week will bring something good.

Hayling Island Oysterbeds- 05/09/25

 With the holidays drawing to a close, one last early morning before school started was a must. So, with a Grey Phalarope being seen at the Oysterbeds over the past two days, that was the obvious place to go. 

Taking the 06:39 train, I arrived at Havant at 07:00 and the Oysterbeds by 07:15. After getting to where the phalarope had been reported, I was surprised to see no other birders present. The bird had been reported in a large lagoon, which fills up as the tide comes in. At the time, the tide was quite far out, so the whole lagoon was fair play for the phalarope.

Just as I was about to take my rucksack off to get my gear, a small bird pretty close by grabbed my attention. After scrambling my bins and camera out of my bag, I took a longer look, confirming my almost already certain suspicions that this was the bird... a Grey Phalarope

It was feeding very happily, not in the usual phalarope spinning fashion, but much more like that of a Redshank, picking worms out of the mud. It came very close at one point, before heading out much further away. Yet another lifer this holiday, adding to my British life list, now at 198, getting close to 200...

A few other birders arrived, and the phalarope came back close again, giving brilliant looks.

It continued giving great views for a while before it moved off again.

With the phalarope sticking out in the harbour, I decided to go and check the paddocks to see if anything of note was there.

Two Green Woodpeckers, Great and Blue Tits, and a Raven were all the paddocks had to offer, so I headed back to the Oysterbeds for another twenty minutes of simply smashing views before having to head off back to the train station.

So, a brilliant trip, with incredible views of a new species for me, and although completely free weeks are over with school starting up again, I very much doubt that things will quieten down in the next few months.