birdwatching

Beside the sea.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

Today was a bright sunny day that made it a joy to be by the sea at Lee on Solent, paddling in the retreating tide all be it in Wellington boots!

The Sanderling looks great in the sunshine.

When the tide is in the Oystercatchers roost on the island within Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. As the tide starts to fall they take off and move out to the beach and follow the tide as it goes out. When the tide turns and starts to come in they make their way back to the reserve. Without looking at the tide table I knew the tide was going out as when I arrived the Oystercatchers were flying out.

4 Buzzards were circling – I have noticed these high soring groups of Buzzards group together at the start of the breeding season the 4 birds were soon joined by 2 more. 6 was quite a sight. 50 years ago to see a Buzzard I would have to travel to Exmoor in the West Country to see a Buzzard. These large birds of prey have quadrupled in number since 1970. Their wingspan is around 4 feet.

Turnstone.

Wood Pigeon enjoy the sun.

Mandarin.

/ Andy Finnegan / 8 Comments

Another established non-native bird.

Mandarin Ducks were introduced from the Far East, They escaped, or were deliberately released, from captivity in the UK. A rather shy bird, often seen hiding beneath overhanging bushes, they form small flocks. The male bird has very elaborate and decorative plumage with distinctive orange feathers on the side of the face, a purple chest, and large orange feathers which look like small sails on its back. The female is not brightly coloured, with a grey head, white stripe behind the eye, brown back, and mottled lower sides. There was a flock of 10 birds today on the pond I visited today {the most I have seen there.}

These ducks nest in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water. After the ducklings hatch, the female will coax the young to jump from the nest. Once they have left the tree make their way back to the water. The Drake will return to the family and help to protect the ducklings

Goosander.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

This diving duck is a member of the sawbill family, named for their serrated bills, that they use for catching fish. A largely freshwater bird, the Goosander first bred in the UK in 1871. This female was in the harbour at Titchfield Haven {the male has a green head and their body has more white}

Wagtail.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

A Pied Wagtail on Meon Shore Beach. Frantically wagging their long tail up and down is an easy way to ID these little birds. I regularly see Pied and Grey Wagtails and very occasionally Yellow Wagtails. Their favourite food is insects.

Still, the photographs below are stitched together and run fast to show tail wagging.