Groups of Sanderlings feed on small worms at low times on Meon Shore Hill Head. Like little clockwork robots, they run up and down, dodging both Black-heading gulls trying to get a free lunch and the incoming tide. These are my favorite shore birds, and I spend many hours watching them.
Ended the week with a quiet early morning walk up the Hamble River from Warsash to Burseldon.
Cormorant.
Hamble River.
I’m up with the light today and taking a walk up the Hamble River. I have good views of Dunlin, a small wader similar to Sanderlings. The Sanderlings favour the sandy beach at Meonshore, whereas the Dunlin like the mud to feed in the tidal river.
Early start to walk by the sea. Little Egret fishing at low tide.
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 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” .
General views along our local coastline.
Some wall art along the way.
Nature and people can mix with a little understanding.
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.
Continued Reflections from my World. 