Marsh Sandpiper on Normandy Marshes.

Saturday 20th April 2024.

The Marsh Sandpiper on Normandy Marshes this morning. Sadly, all my photos were long distance affairs and this was probably the best of the bunch. However, the bird performed nicely for all watching the bird and my third sighting of this species ever.

Yet another amazing days birding with Geoff Farwell and Andy Fisher that took us down to first Normandy Marshes to check out Hampshire’s star bird, the adult summer Marsh Sandpiper and a great supporting cast and then onto Blashford Lakes for more ‘year-ticks’ and finally, we finished off the day off by the woods next to Longcross Car Park (near Fritham) in the New Forest. The weather was near perfect, though the cold north-westerly wind was still blowing and without a coat (of which I stupidly left behind) and a raging toothache, I struggled on with the guys and saw up to 7 ‘year-ticks’ today. I even put the moth box on overnight in my garden and though nothing exciting was within there, at least there was something to look at.

There were a few moths in my Moth box this morning that included this Ruddy Streak (Tachystola acroxantha).

The Moth Boxes:

There was only one ‘macro’ moth by the box this morning and that was a Double-striped Pug that was on the wall behind the box. Up to 6 ‘micro’ moths present that included 4 Ruddy Streaks, 1 White-shouldered House Moth and 1 Light Brown Apple Moth. It was very cold overnight and probably explains the lack of moths. I fared a lot better than Andy’s moth box that did not hold any whatsoever! The best his box attracted was a Caddis Fly species and a Crane Fly!

After parking, we made the short journey to Normandy Marshes and were greeted by close views of this hunting Kestrel within an adjacent field by the seawall.

Normandy Marshes, Lymington:

We parked up in the narrow road of Maiden Lane and took the short ten minute walk to Normandy Marshes (many thanks to Ollie Crabbe on where to park) where we could see a large group of birders obviously checking out the star bird, the Marsh Sandpiper. It has been many years since I have seen a Marsh Sandpiper, but this bird was my 3rd ever and probably the best one yet, being a gorgeous summer plumage bird. However, there was excitement first with our first Lesser Whitethroat of the year that Geoff spotted flying over a field and landing right in front of us! What a start. Then I picked out Andy’s first Common Whitethroat of the year near singing away in the brambles below us and then doing its display flight. A male Kestrel was hovering close by and a Common Buzzard was in the same field of view soaring above the Kestrel.

Above, the Common Buzzard soaring above the Kestrel drifting overhead.

Above and below, some more photos of the male Kestrel hunting over the field.

Above, the displaying Common Whitethroat performed nicely for us on the seawall.

The Marsh Sandpiper was some distance out from where we stood and annoyingly, I was not packing my digiscoping equipment (which was in the pocket of my coat at home!). So, the photos were a bit distant and I am sure the guys with the big cameras probably managed to get some good photos. Nevertheless, the bird looked good in the scope and even the finder, Andy Friend, came over and had a chat about the bird and what was around. Nice to see Graham Loader there too and probably a few more ‘Lazee’s’ present in the large crowd here. While enjoying the Sandpiper, we heard some Little Terns and soon found them coming onto the Marshes. Up to four birds flew in and called loudly, they headed over the pools to the south and then disappeared back into the harbour. We were hoping for a Common Tern to fly past, but none were seen, but a Sandwich Tern was seen out in the harbour. That horrible wind even blew my scope and tripod over and I should of apologised to the nearby birders for the swearing come out of my mouth; but that happening and toothache are not a very nice combination!

The distant Wood Sandpiper showing well on Normandy Marshes.

The last time we were here, a large flock of Spoonbills were present on the islands, but none were present this morning, but checking thoroughly all the birds present, we found at least 6 Avocets, 4 Turnstone, at least double figures of Redshank and a few Oystercatchers. A pair of Great Crested Grebes swam on the water. I have to say, what with the toothache and that horrible freezing cold wind, I decided to leave after an hour and on the way back to the car, we saw at least three Chiffchaffs along the footpath to round off a successful trip here to this wonderful part of the world.

Though we saw no Common Terns here at Normandy Marshes, I knew Blashford Lakes was a good place to find them and so I made this our next destination. While driving through the New Forest to get onto the A31, we saw good numbers of Swallows flying over the heath and also a pair of Ravens and at least two Common Buzzards. Even while we are driving, we always keep our eyes open.

The Marsh Sandpiper continued to attract birders far and wide with one chap we met briefly having come down from Chelmsford! Thats ‘twitching’. I was interested in the comments on one of the Apps where birders were noticing how the Marsh Sandpiper was very territorial and would not tolerate any Redshank to get anywhere near it. It even drove off a flock of Redshank in the evening and there was a photo of one poor hapless Redshank actually getting dunked by the Marsh Sandpiper! Of course, when you have many Birders in one place, birds get spotted and some lucky chap watched a Honey Buzzard sail over his garden in Pennington and a large flock of Bar-tailed Godwit, many in summer plumage, fly onto Normandy Marshes. Very nice.

Above and below, while we watched from the Viewing Platform, several Common Buzzards soared over our heads. 

Above, Common Terns over Ibsley Water and below, just some of the Black-tailed Godwits pouring onto Ibsley Water. This was spectacular to say the least.

Blashford Lakes:

It was straight to the Viewing Platform by the Tern Hide when we arrived at Blashford Lakes. The wind was not so strong here and the sun on our backs was delicious! Almost immediately, we were onto our first Common Terns of the year where I counted at least 11 birds gracing Ibsley Water. A Garden Warbler had been reported here yesterday and our luck was in as a singing bird was seen several times skulking about the brambles and trees around us this morning. I just love their liquid song and it's so different from Blackcap once you get onto the bird. Grabbing my lunch, we then enjoyed the birdlife all around us that included good Common Buzzards overhead and a lone Red Kite. Andy also picked up his first Sand Martins of the year, though the numbers here were a lot smaller than I thought there would be. However, I thought the star birds here were the Black-tailed Godwits. I read earlier this week that a huge number of this species was present here and they still were. Easily, over 1000+ birds were present in three huge groups and they swirled around over Ibsley Water like a ‘murmuration’ of Starlings or similar to a large flock of Dunlin twisting in the sunshine. What an incredible sight it was and simply had us spellbound. More drama was to come as a large young female Peregrine flew in, picked out a bird and chased it across the water but failed to grab the bird. A very lucky escape. I have never in my lifetime seen such a number of Black-tailed Godwits in one place and in this superb light, they simply looked stunning.

Above, another photo of the incoming Black-tailed Godwits over Ibsley Water. I have to say, this is one of the most amazing sightings I have ever seen whilst birding. Never before have I seen so many of this species at one time and it was amazing and for a Peregrine to try to take a bird was something you expect to see on one of the Wildlife TV programmes! Below, Geoff and Andy look on in amazement.

Above, can you spot the lads blending in with their surroundings? Below, Field Forget-me-nots growing near the Woodland Hide at Blashford Lakes.

Despite not being able to get an open window, I still managed to film this Reed Warbler in front of the Hide.

Our next stop was to try our luck by checking the reedbeds near the Woodland and Ivy North Hide for our  first Reed Warblers of the year and although we heard a few singing deep within the reeds on our way to the Ivy South Hide, it wasn't till we got to the Ivy North Hide when our luck changed. At least four birds were present and showed very well in front of the Hide, but unluckily for me, I didn't have the luxury of one of the open windows and therefore, the birds were viewed through the glass. Still, they showed very well and sang kindly in front of the admirer birders present. A Kingfisher belted through the reedbeds in front of the Ivy North Hide, but far too quick to grab a photo of the bird. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were abundant throughout the woodland here, while Robins and Long-tailed Tits flitted about in the treetops. Both Green-veined White and Peacock butterflies showed well along the footpath and there were good numbers of ‘teneral’ Damselflies on the wing too. We had one more look from the Tern Hide before heading home and on our second visit, the best we could muster was a pair of very smart drake Goldeneye, one of which came out of the water to preen itself. There was a flock of 8 Great Crested Grebes swimming together on the water and the large number of Black-tailed Godwits seen earlier were now resting on the water at the far end of Ibsley Water. Later in the afternoon, someone had a couple of Swifts flying over the back of Ibsley Water; though I am sure it will not be long they are gracing our skies over Southsea.

Above and below, the Black-tailed Godwits were still pouring onto Ibsley Water.

Above, the Green-veined White butterfly on a Nettle showing well in the sunshine near the Woodland Hide. Below, a Great Crested Grebe in front of the Ivy South Hide.

Above, a Great Crested Grebe in front of the Ivy South Hide and below, an Alder Beetle near the Hide.

Above, this Peacock butterfly showed well on the footpath through the woodland. Below, a male Blackcap singing in the trees on our way to the Ivy North Hide.

Above, it wasn't easy to grab a decent photo of the Reed Warblers present in front of Ivy North Hide, especially through the poor glass in the Hide. The windows that opened up were both occupied. Below, the plant Bugle was growing abundantly along the footpath.

Above, one of the Common Terns perched briefly on this post on Ibsley Water and below, the pair of drake Goldeneye in front of the Tern Hide along with a drake Tufted Duck and Black-headed Gull.

I still felt we had some more birding time available and I thought I might try my luck by parking in Longcross Car Park near Fritham. From here, we took a walk through the woodland by the road and it didn't take long before we were onto our first Redstart of the year. Geoff confirmed that it was a Redstart singing within the woodland, but it took a little while to catch up with the bird as it was flitting about at the top of the trees - but our patience paid off as we got good views of the bird. A couple of Firecrests were heard singing and one was seen reasonably well flitting about in the Holly Trees. A few Siskins flew overhead as we climbed back into the car and home bound. A very good day where I had 7 ‘year-ticks’ and Andy managed 9. Well done that man.         

The 'murmuration' of Black-tailed Godwits over Ibsley Water.