HAMPSHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2026
The best find of September was a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Pennington Marshes (23rd-30th). A Bonaparte’s Gull was at Sandy Point, Hayling, on the 10th. Other scarcities included Pectoral Sandpipers at Pennington (14th-18th) and Farlington Marshes (17th), Wrynecks at Lower Test (10th) and Sway (18th), a Red-backed Shrike at Farlington (9th-11th) and a Lapland Bunting at Bunny Meadows, Warsash (24th-25th).
Waders were a feature of the month as would be expected in September. Farlington Marshes hosted a maximum of 12 Curlew Sandpipers, although there were no more than two at Lymington-Keyhaven, plus singles at Lepe (9th) and Calshot (16th). Up to three Little Stints were at Farlington, with up to two at Pennington and two at Bunny Meadows (12th). Grey Phalaropes were at Pennington (13th) and Hill Head (17th). Wood Sandpipers were at Farlington (2nd-11th), Titchfield Haven (15th) and Keyhaven (22nd-23rd), while single Spotted Redshanks were at Farlington and Keyhaven/Pennington.
The only Garganey reported was at Farlington (19th). A Turtle Dove was at Woolmer Pond (5th). Single Roseate Terns were at Black Point (3rd), Langstone Harbour (7th, 17th) and Calshot (18th), while small numbers of Arctic and Black Terns were also reported. Single Caspian Gulls were found at Eastoke (4th), Hill Head (4th) and Farlington (6th) and Little Gulls were at Eastoke (4th) and Sandy Point (10th). A Pomarine Skua in Langstone Harbour (15th) was a good find but there were only a few reports of Arctic Skua. A single Glossy Ibis was at Titchfield Haven and three were in Langstone Harbour (6th). There was a notable inland record of seven Spoonbills over World End (16th), with small numbers reported from coastal sites. Cattle Egrets included eight at Titchfield Haven (3rd) and ten at North Boarhunt (15th). Ospreys were reported from many sites while Short-eared Owls were at Southsea (6th), Titchfield Haven (12th), Farlington (17th) and Keyhaven (12th-23rd), and the first Merlins were seen. A few Pied Flycatchers continued to pass through, with singles reported from six sites.