Farlington Marshes

 12 members met at the Titchfield Haven visitor centre on a windy, bright and dry morning.  Parking at the Hill Head car park was not easy due to the sailing club being attracted by excellent boating weather and our good friends, the Bucks Bird Club having organised a visit at the same time.  The groups eventually split, each initially exploring different areas of the reserve.

 Good views were had of Turnstone as they explored the beach and causeway opposite the Visitor Centre. A good range of water fowl and waders were seen along the Scrapes Walk including Little Egret,  Barnacle Geese, Common Snipe, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Dunlin. Raptors seen included Sparrowhawk,  Buzzard and Kestrel.

 The River Walk was less productive and we missed the Glossy Ibis which had been  seen very briefly by the Bucks birders.

 After lunch, 6 of the party moved on to Farlington Marshes where, unfortunately, the tide was well out.  However, distant Brent Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon,  Gadwall, Pintail, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit and Linnet were added to the list.

 In all, 63 species were observed during a full day’s birding.  Perhaps a careful study of the tide tables would help for the next visit.   

Click Here for full list of birds seen.