HAMPSHIRE – MAY 2009

 

SANDY POINT / HAYLING ISLAND

In common with the rest of the Hampshire coast it was a quiet month on the sea although small numbers of divers, Skuas and terns did pass with a highlight of a Pomarine Skua (19th). However three good rarities did occur at the eastern end of the island. A female Kentish Plover spent a day around Black Point (4th) and the next day a Cattle Egret dropped in for a couple of hours in the late afternoon at Sandy Point. Best of all was a male Icterine Warbler which spent a day on the Sandy Point reserve singing and generally being elusive! (13th).  

 

TITCHFIELD HAVEN / HILL HEAD

Sightings in the reserve included Spoonbill (up to two from 4th to 9th and four on 21st), two Marsh Harriers (13th & 14th), up to seven Hobby, Quail (13th), up to 17 Avocet (and four young), two Knot (29th), Sanderling (twelve on 11th and three on 13th), Greenshank (13th), up to 16 Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull (1st & 8th), Turtle Dove (24th), Yellow Wagtail (7th), Cetti's Warbler, Dartford Warbler (28th) and Bearded Tits. Offshore were Fulmar (12th), Gannets (from 11th), Eider (15th), up to nine Common Scoter, Pomarine Skua (15th), Arctic Skua (13th & 16th), up to two Roseate Terns (from 11th), Arctic Tern (two on 7th and 11 on 13th) and Black Tern (two on 6th and six on 13th).

 

LYMINGTON TO HURST

A female Montagu’s Harrier appeared over Keyhaven lagoon and was later seen over Salterns and Oxey Lake (3rd). The Spotted Redshank stayed until mid-month and an Avocet appeared (11th). A Wood Sandpiper appeared elusively (7th), but another showed better (13th-15th and 25th-26th). Unusual in spring, a Pectoral Sandpiper showed well (9th-10th). Other good birds were Curlew Sandpiper (13th), Spoonbill (18th), Little Gull (23rd), Roseate Tern (25th) and Garganey (1st and 3rd). Seawatching from Hurst remained slow for migrants. Two Great Skuas went through (1st) as did two Manx Shearwaters (7th). A pale phase Pomarine Skua was first seen working Oxey Lake before heading west to Hurst where it lingered off the beach on (8th), another headed East (10th). Later that day a group of nine Manx Shearwater passed, followed by three more (16th). The first Black Terns (13th) and a notable passage of auks was recorded. Single Balearic Shearwaters appeared (11th and 16th). Arctic Skua passage remained slow with a maximum of six (1st). Black-throated Divers passed (14th and 20th).

 

AVON VALLEY / BLASHFORD LAKES

Highlights of the month were Marsh Harrier (12th), Temminck’s Stint, Honey Buzzard and seven Black Terns (all 13th). Odd Wigeon and Pintail lingered (to 15th). Migrant waders included  Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Sanderling, Turnstone and Dunlin. Two Egyptian Geese were seen on several dates. Among the most popular birds were breeding Little Ringed Plovers.

 

 

ELSEWHERE

A White Stork flew East over Dibden Purlieu (23rd). Black Kites were reported from near Lymington (11th), Romsey (12th), West Wellow (17th) and Hook (19th). Two Whiskered Terns called in briefly to Testwood Lakes (4th). A Red-rumped Swallow was seen at Eastleigh and nearby Bishopstoke (23rd). A female Golden Oriole was at Eyeworth Lake in the New Forest (10th) and a probable bird was seen briefly at Hedge End (22nd).

 

Keith Betton with Andy Johnson, Richard Carpenter, Steve Piggott and Jackie Hill.