22 February, 2010

Hayling Island

Hayling Island...

David Campbell and I spent the day today on an RSPB Guildford walk around the Oysterbeds at Hayling Island.

The group started off at Langstone Harbour where the highlights were Greenshank and a few Mediterranean Gulls in amongst the Black-headed Gulls. Brent Geese were feeding out on the mudflats as were Dunlin, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Little Egret and various ducks.

The habour...



Greenshank...

Moorhen...

On to the Oysterbeds, and we immediatly got on to the regular group of about 20 Black-necked Grebes far out in the harbour. Amongst them were a few Great-crested Grebes, and more surprisingly, a female Velvet Scoter which is a new bird for me.

A few Kestrel were hunting over the scrubland for voles, and there were plently of Little Egret fishing along the shoreline. In the pools there were groups of Red-breasted Merganser, and whilst searching through the usual Brent Geese, David found a pair of Pale-bellied Brents- a less common subspecies around here.

Kestrel...

Little Egret...

After the walk, Sean, David and I went off to see if we could find the Green-winged Teal that has been present at Budds Farm SW nearby. There was so sign of the Teal, however Sean found 3 more Mediterranean Gulls.

In all, a great walk, with some great birds to top it off with. Thanks Roger, David and Sean for the lifts!

5 comments:

David Campbell said...

Nice photos and post, Billy. It was good seeing you again. atb David.

Phil Wallace said...

You had a good day and made good use of your new lens, Billy. Lovely photo of the kestrel (female?) and moorhen. Shame about the green-winged teal. I'm after that one myself. Tricia says the goosander are back at Painshill.

Regards, Phil.

Billy Dykes said...

Thanks David and Phil- good news about the Goosander. I might try to get down there again if the weather improves!

JRandSue said...

Lovely Kestrel Shot Billy,great images.
Well done.
John.

GRAMPS said...

Hi Bill. Just caught up with your recent postings to the Blog. Your pictures of Lagstone bring back memories and clearly you had a lovely day for your visit. Your pictures are commercially professional and they are a delight to view. Happy trips and I look forward to viewing your new postings in the future. GRAMPS.