HAMPSHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
Surprisingly for September there were no major rarities found during the month, although a variety of expected scarcer migrants were seen. Wildfowl included single Garganey at Farlington on two dates (5th, 29th) and the longstaying Red-crested Pochard at Blashford. On 24th a pair of Slavonian Grebes were off Hill Head and Weston Shore, while a Black-necked Grebe was on Ibsley Water (23rd, 27th).
It was a good month for Grey Phalaropes with at least ten birds recorded including one inland at Ibsley Water. Curlew Sandpipers were also in good number with maxima of eight at Titchfield Haven, 18 at Farlington and four at Lymington-Keyhaven, plus one inland at Alresford Pond (21st), while Little Stints included up to three at Farlington, seven at Lymington-Keyhaven and two at Titchfield Haven. A Wood Sandpiper was at Farlington from 4th-15th with perhaps the same bird then seen on 25th. Three Spotted Redshank had arrived at Lymington-Keyhaven by the end of the month, but the only other report was from Titchfield Haven (22nd).
A few Caspian Gulls were found, at Sandy Point (3rd), Pennington (1-2, 12th-14th) and Titchfield Haven/Hill Head (19th, 27th), while single Little Gulls were at Keyhaven (1st), Hill Head (14th) and Milford on Sea (17th). There was a scattering of Black and Arctic Terns at the coast, while inland Black Terns were at Ibsley Water (2, 1st) and Fleet Pond (17th). Seabirds included a Long-tailed Skua off Milford on Sea (17th), single Balearic and Manx Shearwaters also off Milford (3rd), a few Arctic Skuas, and a Puffin off Weston Shore (25th).
The Glossy Ibis influx saw a flock of 25 fly up the Hamble on the 28th; there were also reports from Farlington and Lymington-Keyhaven as well as the regular birds in the Titchfield Haven area. Spoonbills were unusually low in number, with the only reports being one at Farlington (2nd) and two at Pennington (22nd). Cattle Egrets included up to 13 at Northney, eight at Hook-with Warsash and five at Blackfield
Ospreys were widespread but there were no counts exceeding two at any site. Honey Buzzards flew over Tweseldown (5th, 6th), Keyhaven (7th), Northney (13th) and Timsbury (23rd). Hen Harriers were at Keyhaven and Tweseldown (both 25th), while Merlin were seen at Deadman Hill (1st), Blashford Lakes (4th), Fritham Plain (7th) and Ranvilles Lane (21st). The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn was at Hill Head (24th). Migrant Turtle Doves were at Keyhaven (5th) and Titchfield Canal Path (19th).
It was a poor month for Wrynecks with only one bird found, at Lower Test (29th). Ring Ouzels started to pass through with three at Butser Hill (28th) and four at Old Winchester Hill (30th). Ten Pied Flycatchers were found during the month, while Black Redstarts were at Martin Down (5th), Northney (23rd) and Middle Wallop Airfield (30th). Up to 300 Yellow Wagtails roosted at Titchfield Haven at the beginning of the month.