Month: December 2021

New bird spots.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

Last week I spotted 2 birds at Titchfield haven that are relatively rare and I have not seen them very often. I caught them both on film (well memory card) not that close so not the quality I like but I thought I would post as I have not posted these birds before.

Dartford Warbler.

Dartford Warblers live on lowland heathland in the south of England the UK breeding birds are recorded at 3,200 pairs.

Short-Eared Owl.

Short-Eared Owls, are often seen hunting during the day over reed beds the UK breeding population is recorded between 620-2,180 pairs.

Jumping the spray.

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

Some more photographs of the Sanderling on Meon Shore. These were taken on the 3rd December. My aim was to catch the sea spray crashing onto the beach and showering them. These little birds rush down to the water’s edge between waves to catch their lunch often little sand hoppers.

Waiting for the wave!

I always feel these little birds are tough little fellows. If I was the same height as a Sanderling the waves would be over twice my height I do not think I would have the nerve to stand at the water’s edge as they do! I also know how long it takes me to drive to Scotland from here on the south coast but how do these little birds fly past Scotland up to the Arctic tundra to breed each year?

Little Grebe.

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The Little grebe is also known as a dabchick, there are often up to 5 near the road bridge at Titchfield harbour. Yesterday I just spotted 2. In their non-breeding colours, they are quite toned down against their summer colours they have a bright chestnut throat and cheeks with a pale gape patch at the base of the bill.

They feed on little fish which they dive down for.

Gone fishing!

Sanderlings at breakfast time.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

If you have been following my post any length of time you will know I have posted a lot of pictures of one of my favourite shorebirds “Sanderlings”.

Facts – Length:20-21cm Wingspan:36-39cm Weight:50-60g

Today was a dull and damp morning by 08.30 I was led flat on the beach enjoying some close views of a large flock of about 100 of these busy little birds feeding along the shoreline and dodging the spray.

Today’s post gives just a “few” of the pictures I took this morning.

The longest living sanderling was from Nova Scotia and was recorded to be 13 years and one month old.

 The birds we see in the UK are long-distance migrants who have moved south to winter from their Arctic breeding grounds