Early start to walk by the sea. Little Egret fishing at low tide.
7am at the sea.
the Solent & Southampton Water,
Sea Spray
I spent an hour well-wrapped up from the cold wind and watched the incoming tide. I saw a few Turnstone dodging the spray along with some Sanderlings. You have to wonder how these small birds survive the power of the sea.
A rare duck.
A first in the wild on the South Coast for me today. A Long-Tailed Duck in Southampton Water off Hill Head today.
The Long-tailed Duck is a winter visitor to UK coastal waters, arriving from their arctic breeding grounds. The majority of these wintering birds in the UK are seen in the north, around Shetland, Orkney, and northeast Scotland. Smaller numbers are found further south along England’s east coast.
These sea ducks were formerly known as the “Oldsquaw” .
More from Hill Head.
General views along our local coastline.
Some wall art along the way.
Nature and people can mix with a little understanding.
Hill Head.
Sitting on the spit as the tide changes and the Sanderlings arrive. they wait for the tide to drop so they can feed on the beach.
Another dull day until.
It was another dull day with overcast skies until we spotted the Spoonbills!
Spoonbills arrived back at Titchfield Haven on Monday according to the wardens. This morning we saw 5 birds in the reserve. Several of these birds have been spotted down the coast towards the New Forest at Keyhaven Marshes.
Curlew.
#Wordless Wednesday.
Greenshank.
The Common Greenshank is a medium-sized slim wader with a dark grey back and white underparts. It has green legs and a slightly upturned bill. At this time of year, I regularly see a small number of these birds.
Dunlin flyby.
Large Wader Small Goose.
The Curlew is the largest European wading bird, found on estuaries in winter and moors in summer. Look for its down-curved bill,
The Brent Goose is a small, dark goose – of similar size to a Mallard Duck.
Continued Reflections from my World. 