HAMPSHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR JULY 2024
LYMINGTON-KEYHAVEN MARSHES
The highlight of the month was a summer plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher at Normandy Lagoon (8th-10th). Other migrant waders passing through included Curlew Sandpiper (1st, 31st), Wood Sandpiper (13th), Ruff (8th) and up to six Greenshanks. The Roseate Terns nesting on Normandy Lagoon successfully fledged two chicks. A Black Tern also visited the lagoon (8th). A single Spoonbill was seen at Pennington (1st, 12th-23rd), as was a Great White Egret (1st, 8th-12th). A Garganey was at Pennington (1st). The first Whinchat of the autumn was seen on the 8th, followed by two on the 12th.
TITCHFIELD HAVEN TO WARSASH
Roosting terns at Hill Head included Roseate Terns on several dates (13th; 4, 27th; 2, 29th-30th), up to three Black Terns (12th-20th) and an Arctic Tern (29th), plus a Little Gull (13th). Up to 19 Common Scoter were offshore from the area. Reports from the reserve at Titchfield Haven included two Roseate Terns (29th), a Glossy Ibis (19th), a Cattle Egret (5th-8th, 20th), and a Spoonbill (20th, 27th-28th). Along the canal path a Glossy Ibis was seen a few times (7th, 8th, 14th), with presumably the same then at Hook-with-Warsash (29th-31st).
LANGSTONE HARBOUR AND HAYLING ISLAND
Reports from Farlington included up to three Cattle Egrets (9th-12th), Great White Egret (2, 11th; 30th), a Spoonbill (18th) and the first Yellow Wagtail of the autumn (28th). Migrant waders passing through included up to eleven Greenshank. The Spoonbill was also seen at Southmoor (17th).
OTHER SITES
Four Arctic Skuas were off Lepe (10th). Two Glossy Ibis flew over North Baddesley (14th). A Spoonbill flew over Portsmouth (12th) and a Cattle Egret was at Lower Test (27th). Fishlake Meadows hosted up to two Great White Egrets and an Osprey (28th). Further Ospreys were at Bickton (10th), Netley (13th) and Hamer Warren (28th). A Quail was calling at Wherwell (17th).