Any PORT (wine sauce) in a Storm

Overcast and warm conditions overnight didn't have the desired effect that might have been expected with the Moths, a dull haul of about 40 Insects to the tune of just 6 species. The weather remained much the same all day and despite a Brown Shrike just 25 miles away it was felt the predicted mass meleé of an army of 'twitchers' was to be avoided. Much more pleasing was a quiet 15 miles to 

which includes Pennington Marsh where in recent days

both Pectoral Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher

(American vagrants) have been on offer.

Approaching HURST CASTLE, more or less at the western end

of the Solent, the stretch of water that separates the

Isle of Wight from the mainland of England there were expectations

but it can be reported immediately that neither Wader was seen.

The NEEDLES ROCKS and LIGHTHOUSE

which jut out from the north west corner of the 

Isle of Wight can easily be seen from here as can the

LYMINGTON (mainland) to YARMOUTH (island side) FERRY.

This is extensive Marshland but first there was the small matter

of the COWS (that's also on the I of W isn't it?).

However, on closer inspection all were not as they seemed

and it was with trepidation I gingerly passed this

BULL, complete with nose ring.

The rest of the herd appeared friendly enough and your
correspondent got through without a scratch.

First up were a couple of

WHEATEAR

along with the same count of

PIED WAGTAIL

while the first Wader of the day was a lone

REDSHANK.

While observing this juvenile

SHELDUCK

I met a very young, male birder who pointed a Black Tern* out

to me (* 'Year Tick') and allowed me a look through his telescope.

RINGED PLOVER

and LITTLE EGRET were both seen distantly

until both move obligingly just a little nearer.

Almost at the top of the Spring Tide, the 'full moon' having

been just a couple of days ago and more Waders started moving

in from the seaward side of the wall.

DUNLIN were first and on closer inspection a KNOT

was seen at the right hand edge of this small flock.

With that c3 more appeared and just by 'good luck'

these 3 flight shots were obtained.

REDSHANK

numbers increased to c7 (only 6 here) followed by 

great delight as

c3 GREY PLOVER

arrived in varying stages of plumage change.

This may only be of interest to me, but as I progressed a little further

this 'pink plant' covered much of the marsh.

A juvenile GOLDFINCH on TEASEL

followed by a close encounter with a

MIGRANT HAWKER DRAGONFLY.

All else seen or heard, but not photographed, were Oystercatcher, many hundreds of Swallow, House and Sand Martin being predated by a Peregrine, CURLEW SANDPIPER*, Dartford Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Water Rail. A very pleasant and not too strenuous stroll then home to make the Wood Pigeon casserole in Port Wine sauce - yum, yum!

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