Swans at Keyhaven

A redshank ran along the shoreline as three female red-breasted mergansers bobbed about in the rough sea.  A couple of light coloured birds were spotted at the waters edge that we believe were either golden or grey plovers.

Looking out across one of the many lagoons, a couple of little egrets were tucked under their wings against the wind and a small flock of brent geese flew overhead. Widgeon and teal were a very common sight, as were lapwings and a male and female pair of pintails were a highlight of the day. Across another lagoon we saw shelducks, oystercatchers, mallards, tufted ducks, a moorhen and ringed plovers.

Curlew - visit the RSPB web site for further information on the Curlew.

Amongst the saltmarsh a curlew popped up showing his extraordinary long curved beak before flying further out towards to sea. A skylark flew up from a heath area and started to sing loudly as it fluttered and hovered overhead.  He certainly wasn't put off by the wind and rain!

Then several large flocks of birds came into view flying high looking like dark  changing shapes in the sky.  One flock were lapwings, another possibly starlings and the others we thought could have been the golden plover flocks that had previously been reported at the marshes.

As we started to make our way back we came across a large flock of black-tailed godwits on the ground pecking in the grass by the rubbish tip.  Amongst them were lapwings and dunlins and a large cormorant flew up.

Despite the weather this had certainly been a worthwhile trip with a total of 32 different species seen, with a robin, blackbird, wood pigeons, Canada goose, crow, magpie, meadow pipit and a small flock of long-tailed tits completing the list.  We also saw a roe deer in the distance bouncing through the long grass before going to ground.

At the Society's indoor meeting on Monday 27th February, we were treated to an extremely informative talk by John Coombes focussing on exploring the natural history of the Hampshire Avon.

This wonderful illustrated journey started in Mudeford where the Avon reaches the sea and finished at Pewsey Wharf.  On the way we looked at the many birds found at Stanpit Marshes, the beautiful views from Ramsdown Hill and the Castleman Trailway which is part of the former Southampton and Dorchester railway line that has now become a 16 mile footpath leading from Ringwood to Poole.

Then on through places such as the pretty river setting of Fordingbridge, Downton with it's moot and gardens, the wide weir at Charlton, through Salisbury towards Harnham Old Mill and the water meadows, onto Old Sarum, then passing Woodhenge the site of a wooden version of Stonehenge and finally arriving in Pewsey Vale and Pewsey Wharf.

We also learnt about the strange world of the bee wolf that can be seen at Rockford in the New Forest.  This wasp captures honeybees and takes them back to their burrows in the sand with the bee clamped to the underside of their bodies.  The captured bees are then used to feed their offspring after hatching.

The Society's next outdoor meeting will be on Sunday 19th March with a visit to Stanpit Marshes looking for sea birds and waders.  Meet at Oak Road Car Park, Dibden Purlieu at 10.00am (strong footwear recommended.)

The next indoor meeting will be on Monday 27th March when we welcome Gordon Small to talk about bird identification.  Meet at 7.30pm at the St. Andrew's Centre, Dibden Purlieu.  Visitors are very welcome at £2.00.

Please phone for further details on either 023 8089 7660 or 023 8084 5883.