the Solent & Southampton Water,

A long flight.

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

As winter approaches, the number of Sanderlings increase on Meon Shore. This is because the small number of resident birds increased with migratory birds from their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle arriving.

This ringed bird

This ringed bird has been on the beach for a few weeks. Ringed as an adult bird on a nest in NE Greenland on nesting grounds in summer 2025. I am always amazed at how a bird weighing just 60 grams makes this journey each year, then returns to their breeding grounds in the spring.

Focus on Ringed Plovers

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

Over the past few weeks, the number of Ringed Plovers resting on the spit at Meon Shore has been increasing. This post is concentrating on this small wader.

 

Ringed plovers are described as small and dumpy wading birds with orange legs and a black and white head and breast pattern. They can be seen foraging for small invertebrates and crustaceans in a characteristic “stand and watch, run, peck” pattern.

UK numbers ; breeding birds 5,450+ pairs; wintering 42,500 birds

The birds group up beach and will fly together in small flocks.

Note in the last picture, a Dunlin has tagged on!

A new walk.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

Were the River Test meets Southampton Water is the small town of Eling. Eling is now part of the city of Southampton, has a long history of its own. The quay dates back over a thousand years; a medieval tidal mill was the centre of settlement it was once a hub for industries such as shipbuilding and timber. Today, the mill is open to the public, the area has light industry, and private boat mooring.

A walk early this morning, started from Eling and followed Southampton Water down towards Marchwood. The unofficial path follows the water opposite the city’s container terminal, giving both views of the workings of the docks and mudflats.

Engineers need a head for heights for pilon work!

Some interesting wildlife on the walk. Starting with Little Egret.

Egyptian geese. This goose is related to the Shelduck. It was introduced to ornamental ponds, but escaped into the wild, where it’s now successfully breeding. In 2009, it was officially declared a non-native species.

Very distant Kingfisher.

Female Reed Bunting.

Scarlet Ibis, not very clear pictures, but this bird was some distance off. A surprise sighting of a non-native Scarlet Ibis! It seems several of these South American natives escaped from a local bird park a few months ago.

First light.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

An early morning walk up the Hamble River. This part of the river is tidal, so it is always good for waders. The light at this time of day presents some challenges in taking pictures with the sun low. As always, lots to see, Curlews and Greenshanks are regularly on the river here, and always a favourite to get photographs of.

Curlew.

Greenshank,

Blacktailed Godwit numbers are increasing on the Hamble as we move towards Winter; they are less colourful this time of year.

This lone Juvenile Ringplover came quite close as the tide came in.

This Curlew took objection to the approaching Godwit!

I have seen reports since the Lockdown of Seals on the river at this point, but until this walk, I had not seen one. Normally, what I think is a Seal turns out to be a mooring buoy.

Another boat trip.

/ Andy Finnegan / 6 Comments

Back in the Spring, we booked a trip on the SS Shieldhall yesterday, the weather held, and the promised rain held off. We had a 7-hour trip – 2025 is set to be a special year for Shieldhall, built in 1955, as she celebrates her 70th birthday. SS Shieldhall is the largest working steamship in Britain. The trip was down Southampton Water and into the Solent. We met up with the historic Paddle Steamer Waverley just off the Isle of Wight. PS Waverley was built in 1946 and is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. She is also steam-powered. Both ships are on the National Historic Fleet Register. In the past, I have sailed on both these ships, but it is always a treat to step back in time and travel at a slower pace.

Part 1: Leaving Southampton Docks and heading down Southampton Water.

Leaving 110 Berth, Southampton Docks. View of the emergency steering gear.

Passing shipping in Southampton Water. Container Ship and Isle of Wight Ferry.

The Bridge.

Engine room.

Lifeboat.

Part 2: Meeting Paddle Steamer Waverley.

Part 3: A Visit from the Coastguard.

The Team on the Shieldhall have a good rapport with Solent Coastguard and undertakes exercises with them. We were lucky to have an exercise with the Solent Coastguard helicopter. The unit, currently operates two Leonardo AW189 helicopters and is staffed and maintained by Bristow Helicopters Ltd under contract with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. These aircraft are available 24/7 to respond to coastal and maritime emergencies, often working with lifeboat crews and other emergency services. They operate from their base at Lee on Solent.

You must respect both the skill of the aircrew in putting a winchman on the deck of a moving ship with all the wires and superstructure.

Part 4: Return to port.

After a great trip, once the helicopter departed, we sailed back to Southampton. In the last hour of the trip, the weather broke, and heavy rain came in. We arrived in port at approximately 1900 hours.