Sunday 15th January - Wind, Rain, Mud and a Sea Gull

Saturday 14th

Weekend arrives and Saturday morning the wind and rain was so relentless I couldn't see out of the windows at home. The additional problem with now working during the week, especially from home is the limited fresh air and exercise I have been achieving. Eventually, when it got to midday I needed to get out and it looked as if there might be a slight improvement, it was still grey and windy but the rain was easing to a drizzle.

I drove down to Havant, to Budds Farm, where there is a small nature reserve next to a sewage plant on the edge of the Solent. A Sabine's Gull had been present all week. Normally a species that likes the open ocean, so rarely seen inland and this bird was an adult in full plumage, which was a bonus as most Sabine's sightings are juveniles.

After a short walk in the windy conditions to a point overlooking the wetland. The Sabine's Gull was immediately visible, initially resting on a mud spit, but over the next hour, made several short flights, occasionally dipping in the water to feed and then back to rest. A very smart looking bird, even if it is a gull. 

There were Wigeon and a few Teal and Shoveler on the flood, with a number of Rock Pipit, Reed Bunting, Linnet and 2 Stonechat. The Solent channel held Red-breasted Merganser, a male Goldeneye and Great Crested Grebe.

From there I drove the short distance to Hayling Island where I unsuccessfully searched for Black-necked Grebes from the Oyster Beds, but could only see several Little Grebes. A Greenshank was the only other notable bird before the wind picked up and more rain headed in.

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Hayling Island Oyster Beds, with some more rain approaching.

Sunday 15th 

A brighter morning, importantly dry  although not underfoot as I found on a walk from home towards Furnace Pond. In the muddy conditions I saw Bullfinch, Treecreeper and a singing Woodlark. The Furnace Pond held c30 Mandarin and 5 Teal in the overgrowth at the back of the pond. A small number of Redwing and 4 Siskin were also seen, but the wet countryside has few birds at the minute, except for large numbers of Woodpigeon.