Blimey, its been a while..

Yup, no new post since November 2017! Blimey!

The 'year of the bike' sort of happened, I completed my 4000 mile challenge over the course of the year, but it sadly meant these kind of days out didnt happen, except for a flying visit to Portland - to say hello to everyone, as much as anything.

Anyhoo, Spring has sprung, the weather is currently pretty decent, so today was a visit to Pennington / Keyhaven. Just me and my knackered camera, and lots of sunshine. Happy enough with that, well, apart from the knackered camera bit.

Left Andover at 9 a.m. after grabbing some food and fuel, and was parking up at Lower Pennington at around 10:30.  Opened the car door to a Greenfinch and Cetti's Warbler right next to the car, being very vocal.  (click on pictures to enlarge).

Lapwing, Redshank, Curlew all heard as I walked from the car park to the first Lagoon, Fishtail.

The fields were very wet, and full of small waders and ducks,  plus a pair of roe deer happily munching on the grasses

I haven't really be paying much attention as to whats been happening at any of these reserves, but I did see that the spoonbill were still knocking about. Sure enough, one was on Fishtail Lagoon, sifting through the mud.

I'd heard that the local Dartford Warbler had been wiped out this winter, due to the cold. Not sure if that is true, but I found one at the edge of Keyhaven Lagoon, in the usual area.

As far as migration goes, it's very much in between seasons down there.  Plenty of Shelduck, a summer visitor, but also still Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal and Pintail in the lagoons. They'll be off very soon to more northern countries.

Usually I see one or two Avocet down at these reserves, but this time there must have been 40+ spread out along a three mile stretch of coastline, from Keyhaven to Normandy Marsh.

Plenty of Reed Bunting around the borders and reed beds, and also caught a brief glimpse of 3 Bearded Tit as they flew over, 'pinging' and dropping in to the reedbed and not heard or seen again. The first beardies I've actually seen here.

Walking along the sea wall, I hear a screeetch that I recognise. A pair of Common Tern flying along the coastline towards me.  Some of the earliest returning terns, as there really hasn't been many listed at all on Hants Birds News.   (poor shot, shooting in to the sun).

Lymington Ferries

Hirst Castle in the distance

Back to the car and a quick drive around to Normandy Marsh.. and more spoonbill, Oysterchatcher, Black Tailed Godwits and Shelduck..  But no Wheatear or Yellow Wagtail sadly.

A great day, in a great place, but don't tell anyone, we don't want it getting too busy.