Titchfield harbour & nature reserve.

New bird spots.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

Last week I spotted 2 birds at Titchfield haven that are relatively rare and I have not seen them very often. I caught them both on film (well memory card) not that close so not the quality I like but I thought I would post as I have not posted these birds before.

Dartford Warbler.

Dartford Warblers live on lowland heathland in the south of England the UK breeding birds are recorded at 3,200 pairs.

Short-Eared Owl.

Short-Eared Owls, are often seen hunting during the day over reed beds the UK breeding population is recorded between 620-2,180 pairs.

Little Grebe.

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

The Little grebe is also known as a dabchick, there are often up to 5 near the road bridge at Titchfield harbour. Yesterday I just spotted 2. In their non-breeding colours, they are quite toned down against their summer colours they have a bright chestnut throat and cheeks with a pale gape patch at the base of the bill.

They feed on little fish which they dive down for.

Gone fishing!

1st snow.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

We woke to a tiny sprinkle of snow which was the 1st of the winter by 08.45 it had gone and we had a fairly bright but cold morning.

We had a good flypast of the Male Marsh Harrier in Titchfield Haven. There is a pair in the haven they can often be seen over the reedbeds. There are about breeding 400 pairs in the UK mainly in the south and south-east. Their wingspan can be a good 4.25 feet.

A Heron resting before a fishing trip into the cold water.

We were surprised to see 2 Sandwich Terns still on the beach normally they would be back in South Africa by now.