A few notable sightings at Southmoor.

Wednesday 12th October 2022.

A large flock of Curlew flew west over the harbour towards the islands. 

I thought I would have a quick trip over Budds Farm this early afternoon and who should turn up, three of the ‘Lazee’s’ out on a birding day out! I parked up at the top of the hill, intent to check out the pools in front of the Sewage Works, but when the guys (Andy Friend, Andy Dickety and Simon) told me that there was hardly anything to look at on there, I went off and parked up down by the car park near the harbour wall and joined the guys in a walk to Southmoor.

A pair of Little Egrets flying over the fields at Southmoor. 

The day was bright and sunny, with a light south-westerly blowing over on the incoming tide, it was a pleasant walk and a good catch up on what the guys had seen and it didn't take long for Mr Friend to pick up a female Sparrowhawk being hotly pursued by a Magpie across the flooded fields. Last Winter, the sea reclaimed a large area of Southmoor, turning it into muddy pools and grass that looks as though it might benefit the local waders and wildfowl that were clearly taking advantage of the area. Hopefully, the wintering Short-eared Owls will enjoy it too?

Greenshank were present on Southmoor, where up to a dozen birds were counted.

I could see in the distance, a gathering of at least 12 Greenshank were resting by the creek along with smaller numbers of Grey Plover, Redshank and Oystercatcher, though there was a good number of Teal present, though looked quite restless with patrolling Kestrels and Sparrowhawks around. Out in Langstone Harbour, I picked up at least four Great Crested Grebes on the water, but no sign of any Black-necked Grebes yet, but I do expect there might have been one or two in the harbour by now.

There were a good number of Little Egrets around.

From the end of the footpath, which was now split due to the breach, looking north, we could see the waders and wildfowl present fairly clearly and Andy Dickety, the only one packing a scope, could not find anything of note other than that already mentioned. A close Little Egret was stationary fishing in the nearby creek, one of around a dozen birds around the area, but no Cattle Egret among them. Yesterday, Andy Friend watched an adult Purple Heron fly across from Farlington Marshes over to Broadmarsh and there was always a chance the bird could be over here, but no sign of the bird during our short trip here.

One of four Rock Pipits present along the shoreline.

The walk back to the car park produced a nice flock of four Rock Pipits with a Meadow Pipit among them along the tideline / seaweed. They all showed very well and were reluctant to fly too far until they all headed off over the harbour. A group of 7 Little Grebes were in a single bunch just offshore and further south out into the harbour, I saw the head of a Harbour Seal poking out of the water, while I was searching for the Osprey that has been present of late. A male Kestrel was seen hovering near the car park, but soon flew off on our approach and finally, a Chiffchaff was heard calling in vegetation nearby. The guys were going off to Farlington Marshes, where earlier, Andy Dickety had a Harbour Seal sat on the mudflats within the harbour just off the Lake earlier this morning. We said our goodbyes and I headed off back into Portsmouth. 

Above, the 'Lazee's' Andy Dickety, Andy Friend and Simon making their way back to the car park. Below, the Harbour Seal photographed off Farlington Marshes by Andy Dickety earlier today.