Avocets have started arriving at Titchfield Haven for the start of the breeding season. About 20 birds were spotted today in the rain! All a far way off but as more arrive, I am hoping for some close photographs.
Avocets.
birds and birdwatch,
Curlew.
Curlew bird observation and facts. Today’s bird watching walk up the Hamble River gave some really good views of some Curlews. It is an easily recognizable bird by its size and downcurved bill.
The Curlew is a large wader (in fact it is the largest European wader). It is about the size of a female pheasant. They are ground-nesting birds on wet grasslands, farmland, heath and moors this can be miles away from the coast.
Some 140,000 birds winter in the UK with about 66,000 breeding pairs
I have added the call of a Curlew over the sound on my short film.
Grey & Green.
Some further Sanderlings pictures from Monday’s visit to the coast. The green of the seaweed adds a bit of colour to a dull grey day.
Friends.
As I was in Southampton this morning I just had to get another look for the Ring-necked Parakeets in one of the city parks.
After storm 3!
Another stormy night as the 3rd storm lashes the UK in as many days. Many trees are down on local roads and places closed. Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve remains closed since the end of last week as authorities need to check the trees are safe.
The Red Funnel Isle of Wight ferry was having a choppy crossing this morning. Some services were cancelled over the weekend.
A workforce was out repairing the seawall at Titchfield Harbour.
On the shore, Sanderlings were feeding at the water’s edge and out of the wind. Sitting down on the beach using one of the groynes as a windbreak I was able to take some pictures as the feed today clams seem to be on the menu.
The ringed bird is a regular bird that I see on Meon Shore.
Ducking around.
Gadwall were pairing up yesterday in force at Titchfield Haven lots of quacking and splashing. Over 25,000 birds are in the UK during the winter but only about 1,200 pairs remain in the summer.
House Sparrow.
Red.
A flash of a red bill or a flash of white stripes on the flank. A Moorhen is on the move.
Moorhens are a common wetland bird in the UK found on rivers canals ponds lakes and near wet ditches.
Getting to know you.
Black-headed gulls have started to pair up – and hence the “noise” has returned To Titchfield Haven. The screech of their call extends all around the reserve and will dominate until nesting season ends at the end of the summer.
Some of the birds are starting to get the breeding colours – their heads are changing to dark brown -which at a quick glance appears black and where these birds get their name from.
The bird below with yellow bill and legs almost caught me out as to what it was but it is a Black-headed gull in first winter colours so probably one of the chicks from last year returning to its nest site.
Purple Haze!
Further views of Ring-necked Parakeet in a Southampton City park.
The urban myth claims that Jimi Hendrix released the first pair of parakeets, called Adam and Eve, as a symbol of peace when he was stoned in London’s Carnaby Street in 1968. Another rival theory maintains that the birds escaped from the UK set of The African Queen in 1951. However, birds were reported in Britain as far back as 1855 when one was seen in Norfolk.
Classed as an invasive species with a growing population especially in London the Government is considering a cull of Ring-necked Parakeets however The RSPB is not in favour of a cull at this time they believe it is important that the spread of the ring-necked parakeet is monitored and it’s potential for negative impacts on our native bird species assessed.
The birds are a pair.
The RSPB state the UK population is now 8,600 pairs. I had seen them in the past in London but to see them close to home was a great treat.
