Hayling Oyster Beds and Sandy Point.

Saturday 11th November 2023.

The female Long-tailed Duck showed very well on the Oyster Beds.

On a very cold but fresh start to the morning, Andy Fisher and myself paid a visit to both Hayling Oyster Beds and Sandy Point on Hayling Island today. I fancied having a look at the long staying female Long-tailed Duck first on the Oyster Beds and then take a look in the harbour entrance down at Sandy Point, seeing the tide was up first thing today. The weather was simply gorgeous, with wall to wall blue sky and it has to be said, if you were out photographing birds, I think today was perfect. Andy had his moth box on overnight, despite quite a heavy frost and just when I thought he was going to draw a blank, I found a probable November Moth (there are several very similar species and the only way to be absolutely certain, it has to be dissected!) perched on his garage door.

Above, a probable November Moth on Andy's garage door. Below, a peaceful scene of some chap fishing near the Oyster Beds.

Above, there were five Red-breasted Mergansers on the Beds and below, the female Long-tailed Duck which joined the Mergs for a brief time. The latter brought in a few admiring birders during our time there.

Above, another photo of the Long-tailed Duck and below, a flock of Turnstone coming into roost with the other waders on the Beds.

Above, one of two Sandwich Terns flying past over the Beds and below, a record photo of the near summer plumage Great Northern Diver out in the harbour; one of four Great Northern Divers seen.

Kicking off with the Oyster Beds, as expected, the waders put on a fine show around the reserve and the female Long-tailed Duck did not disappoint as she also put on a nice show in front of u on the main pool, though a little distant at times, but occasionally associating with a small flock of 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, including a male bird. The Mergansers were seen a little earlier and were swimming with 3 Little Grebes, while a large flock of resting Redshank, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Dunlin looked on from the shoreline. Overhead, the shrill call of Rock Pipits echoed across the reserve as we watched a pair of birds fly over to the centre island. 

Walking up to the point overlooking the harbour, a few sea-anglers were also present along with some chap crouched down taking photos of the waders coming in to rest. Out in the harbour, good numbers of Great Crested Grebes were noted, but I failed to find any Black-necked Grebes in the harbour despite a good search and low and behold, one was picked up late in the day within the harbour. However, I did find not just one pair of Great Northern Divers, but TWO, of which one was still showing signs of summer plumage. Apparently, Jason Crook had seen all four Divers in the harbour on Thursday! While checking out what had spooked all the waders out over on the North Binness Islands, a huge female Peregrine was found bombing the birds and in turn, flushed a female Marsh Harrier that headed off bemused towards Farlington Marshes! A pair of Sandwich Terns flew low over our heads calling excitedly as we made our way back around the east of the reserve, getting better views of the Long-tailed Duck in doing so. From the footpath, a female Goldcrest was seen and a Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker were all heard but not seen on our way back to the car.

Above, a flock of Dunlin coming into the roost and below, a pair of female Red-breasted Mergansers on the Beds.

Above, one of many Oystercatchers passing overhead and below, more Oystercatchers on the edge of the Oyster Beds.

Above and below, the sky was full of waders at times. A superb spectacle.

Above, some of the waders settling on the edge of the Beds including Grey Plover, Dunlin and Redshank. A few Brent Geese in the background too. 

Above and below, a few more photos of the female Long-tailed Duck. We really struggled earlier in the year to view a distant bird out in the harbour, but this was a very showy bird. 

Above, a Little Egret flew low right over our heads and below, a flock of Brent Geese flying over the harbour entrance at Sandy Point.

One of two Parasol Toadstools seen along the footpath leading to the harbour entrance at Sandy Point.

After Andy had bought us breakfast at nearby Greggs, we made our way to Sandy Point to take our seats overlooking the harbour entrance by the RNLI Building. From here, at least 10 Great Crested Grebes were either on the water or seen flying in or out of the harbour. There were a lot of boats out on the water within the harbour and therefore not a lot of birds floating on the calm water. An adult Shag was seen in the harbour entrance and I picked up a duck flying in towards the entrance and eventually settled on the sea. It was a female Common Scoter, but she didn't settle and flew back out to sea. Hardly any waders were seen, with just the one Sanderling noted flying into the harbour. Andy spotted a pair of Sparrowhawks soaring overhead and then both birds split up and went their separate ways. We also saw several Red Admiral butterflies crossing the harbour entrance and even a Bee was in my field of view through the scope! I had to be home earlier than usual for more chores to do and so we left around midday, reflecting on a superb morning's birding. On the way back home, a pair of Common Buzzards were seen soaring low over the A27 near Bedhampton and a male Kestrel was seen being mobbed by a Crow over the Eastern Road into Portsmouth; therefore making it a five species of raptor seen today. Happy days.