And so today it was that we ended up at the haven, in the hope of seeing the Penduline Tits. They were seen yesterday, but very sporadically and not very well. Hopes were high but cautious. Penduline Tits are relatively rare vagrants from continental Europe, mainly southern countries, though. Needless to say, I really wanted to see these birds.
After arriving at about 13:00, we got our stickers and headed into the reserve, only briefly stopping in at the Meon Shore hide to see if anything was there.
After making it to the Spurgin Hide, we sat down and started scanning. We received the very encouraging news that someone had been here since the reserve had opened 5 hours earlier and hadn't seen them. Oh dear.
All hope was not lost, however, as they seem to show best in the afternoon, so hopefully they would follow their trend today.
There was really not much to see, and sensing we might be in for the long slog, I started eating lunch.
A Heron was sitting in the reeds, and a Little Grebe was on the water, but other than a Stonechat and a few Egyptian Geese that flew over, nothing was about.
There was a little interest as a Marsh Harrier flew around.
Notice the red wing-tags. Apparently, it was ringed in 2024 in Somerleyton, Lowestoft, which is in eastern Suffolk. Personally, I understand the importance of keeping track of birds and stuff, but I just find these plain ugly.
With still no sign of the Penduline Tits, hopes were fading. I was really hoping we would see them. Number 200 being a rare vagrant would be so cool. They're also such epic little birds; the colouration on them is just beautiful.
The Little Grebe came a little closer, and another Marsh Harrier flew about. The tagged bird also appeared again. A tit flock moved through, with plenty of Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tits and a few Great Tits seen. A Robin was also present.
Two Grey Herons flew past the hide.
The time we needed to leave grew ever closer, with still no sign of the target species.
Still nothing.
And still.
By now, we've been here nearly two hours and seen virtually nothing.
10 minutes till we need to leave.
Now 5.
Aaaand still nothing. We had to go.
I was gutted. A disappointing dip.
On the way back to the car, there was a large group of Eider out on the sea- about the best thing seen all day.
Well, still no number 200. The wait continues.... I'm still quite disappointed not to have seen the Pendulines, though I'm not completely distraught. I'm hopeful they will stay till next week, and if so, I imagine we'll be there again. The Boat-tailed Grackle seems to be settled in Holbury now, and if it's seen tomorrow, I may well be due a trip this weekend. If so, it would be quite a journey, but worst of all, it would include a dreaded bus! But all the same, I think it would be worth it to see the bird. Such a charismatic character, apparently. Well, I need to go to bed, so I can't continue boring you with my rambles about what I might do with my weekend!
Good night :-)
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