Headed to Normandy Marsh this afternoon, then drove to Keyhaven and had a long walk covering the entire Keyhaven to Oxey marsh area. Walked outward along the coast and returned along the inland footpath.
Best birds at Normandy were a couple of Juvenile Knot feeding amongst the many Dunlins, Ringed Plovers, Greenshanks, Redshanks, and Black Tailed Godwits.
Keyhaven Marshes were also brimming with Waders. 4 Knot here, plus 6 Grey Plover, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and Whimbrel together with large numbers of Black Tailed Godwits, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone.
Apart from the waders, 2 Swifts, a Juvenile Peregrine, and a Dartford Warbler (that I nearly walked into on the path) were highlights.
As is often the case at Keyhaven, the best was saved until last when I scanned a small lake along the inland path (now known to be the balancing lake). A superb Ruddy Shelduck was roosting on the far bank, and 2 Garganey eventually gave themselves up. By this time it was almost darkness, and I just had enough light in the scope to pick out the size, shape, and supercilium to clinch the id.!
Got back home, to find that just about all my sightings had been seen earlier in the day on HOSlist, so quite pleased that I hadn't logged on before going out. Looks like a lot of people are scanning the marshes now after a fairly quiet couple of months. |
