Grey Phalarope on Farlington Marshes.

Tuesday 29th November 2022.

Always distant on the Deeps, the Grey Phalarope entertained a small appreciative crowd this morning.

With yesterday's discovery of a Grey Phalarope on the Deeps at Farlington Marshes and a certain Mr Fisher going down to ‘year-tick’ the bird, I was most certainly not going to be ‘gripped off’ by that Oyk! He even took down his telescope to view the bird, something I have not even seen this year! So, when the message went out by Ollie Crabbe that he had not only found a Short-eared Owl in the Point Field in the early hours of daylight this morning on Farlington Marshes, but also the rediscovery of the Grey Phalarope; I had to go for it.

Above, looking pretty bleak over on the east side of Langstone Harbour and a bit chilly too. Below, a male Blackbird was one of several thrush species around this morning.

I managed to park up close to the main gate (not easy nowadays!) and make my way along the Cycle track at the back of the reserve to rejoin the normal path leading to the eastern seawall. Several Goldcrest were noted along the Cycle Path, some showing very close as well. I said ‘Good morning’ to the Hampshire Wildlife Trusts Volunteers as I passed them by the Information Building and carried on towards the seawall, enjoying large flocks of Brent Geese in the neighbouring fields and sightings of Moorhen, Robin and a few Song Thrushes that flew out of the adjacent bushes.

The Grey Phalarope on the back of the Deeps.

It was low tide within Langstone Harbour and as I neared the Deeps area, along came both Simon and Ollie Crabbe (both fellow ‘Lazee Birders’), who joined me in searching for the Phalarope. The bird was nowhere to be seen first of all and when Jason Crook joined us, he and Ollie moved further back to get a better view of the pools at the far end of the Deeps. Then the shout went up that they had the Grey Phalarope in their sights and so joining them, one Grey Phalarope hopped on board my year list. Happy days! 

More photos of the star bird this morning.

Though distant at all times, the bird showed fairly well during the time I was there, though could disappear sometimes behind a small island or inlet, but for the birders arriving, they were quickly put on the bird to keep the smiley faces constant. Photographing the bird was always going to be a challenge due to distance and murky conditions again, but I did get a few shots off and a bit of film footage of the bird. Incredibly, another Grey Phalarope had turned up in front of Southsea Castle on the foreshore and was showing quite close apparently. A Razorbill and a Little Gull were also further east along the beach.

Above, the male Dartford Warbler by the Deeps and below, the female Marsh Harrier flying over the Point Field. 

Having a good chat with Jason, other birds noted during our time there included a female Marsh Harrier that drifted over the Point Field, putting up a lot of the Brent Geese and wildfowl and then flying off over the harbour towards the islands. Ollie picked out a female Peregrine in the fields (see photo) perched on an Ant hill and a Kestrel was hovering further south over the Deeps. A male Sparrowhawk flew in front of us and headed low over the fields heading north and a bit later during the morning, I clocked a Common Buzzard hunting low over the reedbeds near the Lake area! A rather good raptor morning I think!

Above, the female Peregrine out in the fields which was found by Ollie. Below, I found a Haresfoot Toadstool along the seawall while looking for the Black Brant.

Also by the Deeps, while we were watching the Phalarope, a male Dartford Warbler paid a surprise visit right in front of us, skulking in the brambles below where we stood (see photo). Jason believes that possibly four birds are on the reserve at present, which is a very good number for this place. I picked out a flock of 12 Skylarks flying low east over the Deeps and all headed off towards the islands.

Above, Simon (left) and Ollie heading off along the north-east corner. Below, a Kingfisher photographed by Ollie earlier today.

Jason had earlier seen the Long-tailed Duck and 2 female Goosanders from Broadmarsh this morning on his way to Farlington Marshes and on entering the reserve via the north-east entrance, he found the Black Brant among the Brent Geese in the Hayfields. That was a bird I wanted to see and so myself, Ollie and Simon said Cheerio and made our way to this destination. Sadly, despite a lengthy search for the Black Brant among the Brent Geese, I could not locate the bird and so assumed it might have flown off. Never mind, I can't win them all. As I was just about to get in the car, a male Goldcrest showed incredibly well in scrub opposite where my car was parked, despite the din of the passing traffic on the A3M! A nice morning birding.

 The Grey Phalarope on the Deeps at Farlington Marshes this morning.