Redshank

The first lake was quite empty of birdlife, although four little egrets and a grey heron were shielding themselves from the wind.  Mallards and widgeon were also seen as were redshanks, teal and brent geese.

At the sea wall a rather large family of mute swans came to see if we had anything for them to eat and black-headed gulls bobbed about on the water.  A single red-breasted merganser and a little grebe were spotted further out and charming little turnstones were perched on a boat which seems to be their favourite location as they are usually seen there or running along the sea wall.

Further on at the next lake we saw many shelducks, a single pintail, a shoveller and a few gadwall.  There were also several greenshank and a great black-backed gull as well as lapwings and more widgeon.

As we walked on small flocks of brent geese flew overhead and a curlew and a cormorant were seen.  Also a bird of prey that we think was a peregrine flew past.

The recent strong wind had carried a large piece of a tree out into the Solent that had caught on a small shingle bank where we spotted large flocks of birds that we identified as dunlin and grey plover.

As we turned to start making our way back inland we saw more shovellers and a fairly large group of male and female red-breasted mergansers that we watched diving, as more little egrets and grey herons huddled down against the wind.

Walking down the lane back towards the car park we saw tufted ducks on a small lake by the landfill site and other birds seen during our walk included a blackbird,  robin, magpie, crow, stonechat and greenfinches and several sunbathing rabbits!

After lunch we walked along the road towards the start of Hurst Spit and had a lovely close up view of a redshank and we spotted more red-breasted mergansers and another little grebe.

The road was quite flooded from the recent heavy rain and high tide and we watched a brave loan windsurfer with a colourful sail.  A meadow pipit settled close to us and an oystercatcher and curlew were also seen.

It was very windy up on the Spit and we had a great view of the Needles over on the edge the Isle of Wight as we watched the waves crashing onto the beach.

We walked back along the same road and saw male and female reed buntings amongst the brambles and a stonechat flew past.

The Society's indoor meeting on Monday 22nd January was our AGM and following that members enjoyed a delicious American style supper.

Mute Swan

The Waterside Natural History Society's next outdoor meeting will be on Sunday 18th February with a bird watching and general wildlife visit to Blackwater Arboretum where we hope to see hawfinches.  Meet at Oak Road Car Park, Dibden Purlieu at 10.00am (strong footwear recommended.)  Visitors very welcome.

The Society's next indoor meeting will be on Monday 26th February, when we welcome Rachel Wilson to talk about 'Southampton's Big Blue', the marine life of the Southampton Water and Solent. 

Meet for a 7.30pm start at the St. Andrew's Centre, Dibden Purlieu.  Visitors very welcome at £2.

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