Nature on the beach

Western Shore

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

Western Shore on Southampton Water at the site of Netley Military Hospital.

Netley Hospital, officially called The Royal Victoria Hospital. Construction started in 1856 at the suggestion of Queen Victoria, she often visited from one of her favourite homes with Prince Albert which was close by at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight.

The hospital was extensively used during the First World War. Wounded troops from war could disembark directly to the hospital onto its own pier which reached out into Southampton Water. There was a branch Railway line direct to the hospital. The main building was the world’s longest building when it was completed. Sadly the main hospital building was demolished in 1966. In WW2 the hospital was used by the Americans after D-Day. The Chapel at the hospital’s centre remains and today is a museum.

There is a CWCC cemetery within the grounds of the hospital for those who could not be saved.

Some bird life on the Shore.

Season arrivals.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

Here on the Solent, almost all the Terns and summer visitors have gone for the winter. It was a very poor year for Tern numbers. I think this was due to the bird flu outbreak we had and the height of the breeding season. The black-headed gulls which are with us all-year numbers also remain low following the bird flu.

Soon the Brent Geese will be arriving in large numbers from Siberia, I have only seen a few so far this year. Sanderling numbers and Ring Plover numbers are increasing with the arrival of the cooler months. Taking advantage of a bright rain-free morning it was a pleasure to watch these little birds fly in while sitting on the beach.

The return of the terns.

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

Common Terns have returned to the Solent and Southampton Water in the past week – I always look forward to their arrival and their numbers are increasing daily as they reach our shores from Africa. My 1st pictures this year which I am very pleased with. I have until September to practise when they will again leave.

Coastal spring.

/ Andy Finnegan / 10 Comments

Down on the coast along Meon Shore and Titchfield Haven, spring is advancing. Birds are starting to pair up courtship is in the air. Soon the Brend Geese and the Sanderlings will be off to their breeding grounds. Other birds who breed on our shores will arrive Avocents have started to arrive and soon I expect to spot returning Common Terns.

Canada Geese are no native birds, having been introduced from North America some 300 years ago. After the Second World War, they spread across the UK. They are now found in large numbers. These birds do not migrate from the UK and in some areas are now considered a pest.

Cormorant and Little Greebe fishing.

Some regular birds on at the Haven.

Lapwing.

Godwit

Redshank.

Winter Gulls.

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

Gulls are all in winter non-breeding colours at this time of year.

Common Gull.

The Common gull looks like a small, version of the herring gull I do not see them in great numbers in my local area however the odd ones I do see are always close or within flocks of Black-headed gulls

Black-headed gulls.

These noisy small gulls are the most abundant gull in my local area. They are always on the lookout for an easy meal. Humans are an easy touch for a meal.