I went for a walk along the south coast at Keyhaven in Hampshire on Sunday afternoon. It was cold and windy but I saw some fantastic birds and some of them were firsts for me.
There were lots of waders including, dunlin, redshanks, ringed plover, godwits, curlew and turnstones. The turnstones were brilliant to watch as they tossed the seaweed up or turned stones over to look for food and they are so attractive. There was a little flock of five that weren't in the least bothered by me standing there taking photos of them. They were far too busy grubbing about in the shingle.
Turnstone
Curlew - what an amazing beak!
There were lots of my favourite geese flying about and then settling down on the mudflats to preen. These were brent geese and I love their sooty black heads and necks. They look very smart.
Brent goose
I also saw shelduck, tufted ducks, shovelers and a new one for me - pintails. I tried hard to get a photo but even though I kept my finger on the shutter button all I got was headless pintails. That is, I got lots of photos of their tails but very few of their heads as they spent the whole time feeding under the water. They only came up to snatch a quick breath before they went under again.
Pintail ducks
As I was walked along suddenly two little birds flew across my path and dropped down at the bottom of the bank. I couldn't see where they were at first but I crept nearer and suddenly found myself about ten feet from two reed buntings. I had never seen one before and was so pleased. What lovely little birds!
Reed bunting
I also saw three pipits (or maybe one pipit three times!) I thought it was a meadow pipit and was very surprised to see one on the beach. I had assumed that one would only see them in the countryside but on checking my RSPB handbook later I discovered that this is normal behaviour at this time of year. However...
Edit: On seeing my photos seymouraves kindly identified it as a rock pipit. Excellent! I had never seen one of these before. Thank you S.
Rock pipit
I saw about ten mute swans, a few mallards, gulls (various), a grey heron and a little egret.
Edit: On seeing my photos, seymouraves identified one of these gulls as a Mediteranean Gull. It's the one on the left with black head and red legs and beak. I hadn't seen one of those before either - Thank you again S.
The sun did try to come out for a short while but it didn't last long and it was soon hidden behind clouds again. As it started to rain and with the tide almost in I made my way back to the car. I had a brilliant day and can't wait to go again.
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Thanks for sharing your day out., SB. Despite the cold it sounds as though you thoroughly enjoyed it. I must admit I had to look to see where Keyhaven is. I wish the south coast was a bit more accessible to me. It would be at least a 4 hour round trip for me.
Great photos. Are these taken with a bridge camera (Panasonic Lumix)? If so they are of excellent quality.I use a Canon DSLR but with a longish lens I'm finding it so heavy to lug around.
I haven't seen turnstones for some time. They are such charismatic little birds aren't they. Always so busy. The male pintail is such a smart looking duck. Perhaps he will pose for you properly next time.
Regards TJ
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Hi,
here's some news after looking at your photos :)
Your meadow Pipit is actually a Rock Pipit- note the dark legs and the greyish cast to the plumage.
In your Gull photo there is a Mediterranean gull on the left moulting into summer plumage- the large bill, darker red legs and white primaries are nicely visible :))
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Hi Seymouraves, that info about the Rock Pipit and Mediterranean Gull is great for me as I see pipits at the new Hesketh Outmarsh and didn't know the difference. I will be able to examine them closer if they stay still long enough. Don't know anything about Gulls but I could see the difference in the gull pic.
The pics are great, I was looking at lots of Pintails at Martin Mere on Friday. Never seen a Brent Goose.
I'm always look forward to seeing the wonderful green of the leaf buds coming into life you don't see any other time of year and the first swallow around the 15th April. Spring, Spring Spring.
Wow! Great variety of birds there and superb photos SB!! What a great day out!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Thanks SB. That sounds like a very worthwhile birding day. Lovely photographs.
Thanks everybody. I couldn't stand still for too long as it was so cold but it certainly was a worthwhile day. I enjoyed every minute. Can't wait to go back :-)
TJ - Yes I do use a bridge Camera, Panasonic Lumix FZ - it is the same as recently bought by Sparrow and Littleowl. I do use a teleconversion lens with it though as it gets me just that little bit closer. It is very lightweight which is one of the reasons I chose it.
Semouraves - Thank you for the IDs. I wondered if the pipit was of the rock variety but the habitat didn't fit. My book said they don't like sand so I presumed that included a muddy beach. I saw three of them or maybe one three times so I will post some more pics later and would be pleased if you would check them for me and confirm if they are all rock pipits. As for the gull, well that's brilliant news. I considered attempting to ID the gulls myself but wasn't sure so I didn't risk it. Are the others common or black headed maybe? Gulls are very tricky! Anyway, thanks for your help. I have edited my original post to reflect the new information :-))
Fabulous photos SB. That looks a very worthwhile day out. Thanks for sharing it.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Great photos SB.
Thanks for sharing your day out.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hi SB
It looked like a great day out,very good photos,lovely shots.
Littleowl
I don't know which book you used but Rock Pipits regularly feed in flotsam on the tide wrack on favoured beaches be they sandy or stoney :)
( I am a Lark and Pipit fan )