Myself and Tony spent a few hours this afternoon walking along the Titchfield canal path. Primarily to hopefully re-locate the two Bewicks Swans that have been frequenting the area recently. We knew they had not been reported for a day or two but work and other commitments prevented us from getting down any sooner. Unfortunately we dipped on the Swans but still had a pleasant afternoon. Still plenty of Thrushes down the canal path. They seemed to have mainly moved out of the local gardens but over the course of the walk we probably saw in the region of 3-400 birds. Any fields that held horses were the most popular and we (Tony actually) had peak counts of 73 Redwings in one horse paddock followed shortly after by 110 Fieldfare in another. Canada Geese were also present in good numbers. The bird shown below is an old favourite. I first remember seeing this bird back in at least 2003. I reported it to Ralph Hollins for his Nature Notes website and I remember him telling me that it had been around the area for a while before that. Not actually sure what this birds condition is. I would say albino but the eye is not red, partial albino? Maybe leucistic, I believe this is a white form of an animal but I’m not 100%.

Canada Geese, Titchfield Haven, 15 Jan 2010

Ducks were also around in good numbers especially the top field floods. This area held c350 Wigeon c200Teal as well as lesser numbers of Gadwall, Pintail, Mallard and Shoveler. Most unusual were 6 Pochard on the top flood. This body of water is usually too shallow to support diving duck, but they were certainly diving today. Throughout the walk waders were well represented by Black-tailed Godwit c200 and 50-60 Snipe. 11 Curlew flew into one of the damp pasture fields as we counted the snipe present. Now was that we or Tony.

Curlew, Titchfield Haven, 15 Jan 2010