West Hayling Local Nature Reserve is becoming a fantastic place to see waders. I popped down to the reserve today for a lunch time walk. There have been oystercatchers around all summer, but as autumn approaches, their numbers are increasing and they are beginning to gather in large flocks at high tide. Their bold black and white markings look stunning when part of a crowd.
Other waders are starting to join them. Tiny dunlin go about their business, probing for tasty morsels in the mud. Most are still in their breeding plumage, with little black bellies. Turnstones (see photo below by Tom Bickerton) can also be seen, slightly larger than the dunlin with pretty gingery coloured plumage still visible. Turnstones are great to watch as they pick out food from under the stones.
On my walk today there was a flock of grey plovers on the far oysterbed bank. I have been looking forward to seeing these birds as they really are very smart if you are lucky enough to see them in their breeding plumage. They have beautiful silvery backs with a black face, neck and belly.
There have also been common sandpipers (see photo below by Tom Bickerton) around, although I have yet to spot one. Common sandpipers are funny little birds, always bobbing up and down. Look for their white shoulder patches and brown upperparts. You may also hear their three-note calls, ‘twee-wee-wee’ as they fly off.
The RSPB manages West Hayling Local Nature Reserve to give all this wonderful wildlife a home. Just a step off the Hayling Billy Line, it’s a great place to have a wander and learn a little about the wildlife Langstone Harbour has to offer.