I went out this morning to Hook with Warsash LNR (it's about 4 miles from junction 8 of the M27 about 5 miles south east of Southampton. I would normally go to Titchfield Haven but on Sunday for no good reason decided to go here, the second time since 1983! On Sunday I saw a Whinchat (haven't seen one for years) so I thought that perhaps there might be more. Today I thought I would try for 35 species and perhaps one of two year ticks.
I have to say it was quite a great day (even with a sting in the tail - see later). I parked up walked through the path which has small trees on either side and was first alerted to a Cetti's Warbler calling. I did a bit of 'pishing' (ever felt stupid?) and for the first time in 27 years of birding, it actually paid dividends and within a few seconds I was surrounded by warblers - Chiffchaffs, Willow warbler and the Cetti's plus Goldcrest and Blue tit.
When I reached the sea wall I headed east and straight away was struck by the number of wheatears - I would conservatively estimate them as 50+ (may have been repeats) they were everywhere. These were kept company by Yellow Wagtails (perhaps 10 or more) and many Whitethroats and more willow-chiffs and a Sedge Warbler.
I got a close male Sparrowhawk, which led me to a young male Redstart in the distance - a real bit of luck. One of the pools held Greenshank and Spotted Redshank - nice birds both year ticks (must have had my eyes shut all year)!
Working back west I looked up and saw a flock of about 30 Black tailed godwits with other waders come in to join another flock (I reckon perhaps nudging 100 all together) as they landed I thought 'Knot' and although I didn't have my 'scope was confident that they were. A Buzzard drifted by, a Little Egret slept and then a Kestrel grabbed my attention so I continued west. More Wheatears, and warblers then in the hide a Snipe landed and walking about around east again Dunlin and Ringed Plovers in a mixed flock.
I walked back to the main 'pool' (not sure what it is called) and the flock of Canada Geese I had seen Sunday arrived, this time without the leucistic one (I thought it was a Snow Goose at first, which would have been a lifer!) and irritated all the waders.
By this time I was talking to a guy with a 'scope and he was able to a) confirm and b) thank me for pointing out the Knot in the BTG flock. I mentioned to him that I was now on 59 species (I'd reassessed my target considerably!!!) and as if on cue a Collared Dove flew across (just before I'd showed him Stock Dove) and that made 60. I explained how impressed I was with this place and asked him how well watched it was (not particularly) and whether any rarities ever showed up. I knew there had been a Red backed Shrike years before but was there anything else? I idly wondered whether Wryneck had been seen, it looked perfect - he hadn't seen one there.
I had to go, it was 12.30 now, I'd been there three hours and it had become one of the best morning's birding in Hampshire ever, I had thoroughly enjoyed it. I got home and counted to see if I was right with my calculations and in fact I had seen 61 - fantastic.
I sent an e-mail to Rare Bird Alert (in the hope others could enjoy what I had seen) and about an hour later decided to see if it had been posted - it had, just after this:
Hook w Warsash 2.05pm
Wryneck Links Scrape in gorse by benches 2.05pm
Just unbelievable!!!
I'll be back tomorrow…
Linear Mode
