A pleasant walk down the Canal Path.

Monday 17th October 2022.

The roosting Barn Owl was fast asleep from the Canal Path. 

A Water Pipit was seen over the last few days on the Bridge Street Flood, so seeing that both Andy and myself have not had the pleasure of seeing one this year, off we went to try our luck. Sadly, there was no sign of one, though there were a few Meadow Pipits present as well as several Pied Wagtails on the Flood. After checking the Flood thoroughly and also getting a glimpse of the roosting Barn Owl within the ‘Split tree’, we then made our way south down the Canal Path to see what we could find. 

Above, the female Sparrowhawk flying over the woodland and below, a Kestrel hovering near the Path. 

A lovely and fairly still morning here at the northern end of Titchfield Haven and at times, there was plenty to look at too. Back at the Flood, despite no Water Pipit, we had at least a dozen or so Black-tailed Godwits wading in the shallow water and a handful of Teal dabbling in the soft mud. A few Black-headed Gulls joined the birds, but little else of note in that particular area. Andy picked up both Kestrel and Common Buzzard while I was looking through my scope and also a female Sparrowhawk flying over the woodland behind where the Owl was roosting. 

Above, Andy spotted a Common Buzzard perched on a post nearby and below, one of many Stonechats seen this morning. 

A few Skylark, Song Thrush and Swallows flew overhead and out in the fields to the south, we found at least 6 Stonechats perched either on the fence line or on the vegetation, but I bet there were a lot more present. The wooded area along the Canal Path was alive with Chiffchaffs, but we could not find anything a bit more rare than that. Several Goldcrests were seen flitting about the trees and bushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker showed well in the trees. An immature  Grey Heron was hunting in a field close to the main footpath, which attracted some ladies out for a walk down the path as I pointed out that it had just taken a Frog!

The immature Grey Heron hunting. 

We walked about half way down the Path before deciding to head back to the car. A Water Rail was heard calling deep within the vegetation somewhere by the Canal and we were amazed at how many fish were on show within the Canal, with Roach showing very well and a probable young Brown Trout on show as well. Good numbers of Common Darter Dragonflies were seen and just the one Migrant Hawker put on a nice show. Butterflies were a little scarce, yet by the Car Park, a Small White was seen fluttering past the car. A lovely walk as always down the Canal Path, although it does attract a lot of dog-walkers.    

Above, the Great Spotted Woodpecker along the wooded part of the Canal Path. Below, a Roach swimming quietly in the still Canal.