Little Stints & a Brown Hairstreak today.

Saturday 17th September 2022.

Our first Little Stint of the year, one of three juvenile birds on Pennington Marshes today.

Having watched the brilliant Steve Hackett gig with Andy Fisher last night at the Guildhall, Portsmouth, I said I would pick him up around 9am this morning, a bit later than normal. However, I was a tad earlier than that as we made our way westbound along the M27 to Pennington Marshes. Our goal was the Wood Sandpipers and Little Stints that were on this reserve yesterday and what with the weather being near perfect, the day most certainly looked promising.

The Ruff that was very close to the footpath near the seawall on Fishtail Lagoon.

The Stints and Sandpipers, both species needed for our year list, were apparently around the Fishtail Lagoon yesterday evening, so from the car park at the bottom of Lower Pennington Lane, we made our way there to join a couple of birders on the sea wall. The whole area was alive with Hirundines that included Swallows, House and Sand Martins, enjoying them skimming the water to grab a drink or simply hawk over the reserve in loose flocks. The tide was on the up when we got there and so more waders were beginning to settle on the still water. 

One of many House Martins flying over the Lagoon.

Almost immediately, we were onto our first Little Stint of the year, a juvenile bird that was feeding all by itself on one of the small islands. At least 5 Redshanks were counted and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was soon joined by three more of the same species along with at least 6 Dunlin. We noticed a small group of birders, armed with long-lens cameras photographing something close to the footpath below the seawall and on closer inspection, it turned out to be a Ruff feeding very close within the reeds by the footpath. That was Andy’s second ‘year-tick’ of the day, which put a big smile on his face.

A Sand Martin hawking insects of the Lagoon.

Despite a lengthy search around Fishtail Lagoon, there was no sign of yesterday's Wood Sandpipers. Other birds of note here included at least two White Wagtails showing very well on the edge of the pool and in the scrubby area behind the Lagoon, a Wheatear and a Whinchat were seen well. Looking beyond the Lagoon, there were in fact good numbers of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits on the ground and even a Yellow Wagtail flew over but we failed to locate the bird. We took a stroll up to Keyhaven Lagoon where we picked up two more Little Stints over on the far side and also on the Lagoon here, apart from the 40+ Canada Geese, were two Black-tailed Godwit and singles of Redshank and Dunlin. Andy picked out a Kestrel hunting over the fields, while I checked the sea behind me and found a small group of four Great Crested Grebes on the still water.

One of the Curlew Sandpipers feeding on the Lagoon.

One of the juvenile Little Stints on the Fishtail Lagoon.

Again, no sign of the Wood Sandpipers from yesterday and so we then headed along the seawall overlooking Butts Lagoon. Good numbers of Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing rested on the islands and a few Dunlin joined them too, having arrived in from the harbour. There was a large gathering of Canada Geese here too, but apart from a Grey Heron, there was nothing much else among them. At least two Water Rails were calling in the reedbed in front of us, but they refused to show themselves while we were there. Andy picked out a pair of soaring Common Buzzards in the distance over the fields, for I double-checked them for Honey-buzzards as they have been sighted several times this week. 

Above, a Whinchat which Andy spotted behind the Lagoon and below, two of the Curlew Sandpipers with a Dunlin. A third Curlew Sand was nearby.  

We then made our way back to the car, picking out another Wheatear along the way plus more Hirundines to keep us busy. A Cetti's Warbler flew across the footpath and showed well briefly in one of the brambles. The drive back home was without any hassle as I suggested a nice pint and Cheesy Chips at the Chairmakers Pub in Denmead on the way back, which was met with a resounding 'Huzzah'! 

Abovem another Sand Martin flying over the Lagoon. Not an easy photo to take with a Bridge Camera. Below, resting Lapwing on Butts Lagoon.

Sitting down, enjoying our pint and lunch, we saw from the Buddleia plant behind us, a Painted Lady butterfly that flew off the plant and landed on the ground. Andy managed to grab a few photos from his mobile, but I got the shock of my life when I discovered something even rarer on the same Buddleia plant. Our first ever Brown Hairstreak was opening and shutting its wings while perched on one of the flowers! I simply could not believe it, for the nearest place I know that these insects are found is at Noar Hill, in the north of the County. So to see one here is somewhat baffling. Thankfully, Andy managed to get some good photos of the butterfly using his camera phone, while mine were awful.

Above, Andy was in total disbelief with a Brown Hairstreak butterfly behind him! Below, the butterfly itself.

As well as the superb butterflies (Red Admiral and Small White), there was an impressive list of birds in the area that included at least 3 Common Buzzards, a Grey Wagtail, a large number of Linnets over by the Stables opposite the Pub and a good number of Hirundines overhead. A female Sparrowhawk circled over the field opposite and a small flock of Meadow Pipits headed north over the countryside. What a cracking day birding with lovely weather thrown in too.        

Above, this Grey Heron and Lapwing were on Butts Lagoon. Below, a pair of White Wagtails on Fishtail Lagoon.