A look at the devastation on Farlington Marshes.

Farlington Marshes, Hampshire:

What should have been at this time of year would be a huge number of waders resting on the Lake, with possible Crakes, Water Rails and a variety of other birdlife here. But now, due to sheer incompetance, this flooded lake is now full of sea water!!!

My plan this morning was to meet Geoff Farwell at Farlington Marshes this morning around 11am and also Emma and Matt Parkes, if they could make it. Sure enough, all turned up on time as we met at the lake area of the reserve. I wanted to see for myself the devastation caused by the broken Sluice gates that has let all the seawater onto the reserve and destroying not only most of the reedbeds, but also created a saline lake where there should of been a small area of water surrounded by mud for the waders to roost at high tide. We even met local birder Jason Crook who gave his version of events and his disgust on what such awful marsh management has taken place here and could have so easily been avoided. Even if the Sluice gates are eventually replaced, the damage done to the reedbeds looks as though it is irreplaceable and most likely never to grow here again? 

Some more photos of the devastation here including below, the Stream area. Most of the reedbeds are now dead and void of birdlife.

On a positive note, we had a good four hours here and were rewarded with a good variety of birds here on the reserve. Starting with the Lake itself; a large contingent of Coots had now replaced the waders; although on the north side of the Lake, there were a small flock of Redshank, a couple of Greenshank with them and closer by, a pair of Black-tailed Godwit. A pair of Great Crested Grebes swam among the Coot and close to the waters edge near the viewing platform, there were at least two Little Grebes fishing among  the dead reeds. Matt and Emma turned up and while waiting for Geoff to arrive, we had sightings of a female Marsh Harrier, a female Kestrel, a male Peregrine and out in the fields with the Cattle, up to three Cattle Egrets could be seen through the telescope. A pair of Ravens then grabbed our attention as they flew high over the reserve and then headed off north.

Above and below, a Kestrel was hovering by the Lake.

Above, a Great Crested Grebe was among all these Coot on the Lake and below, a few waders were resting on the northern end of the Lake.

Above, one of many Grey Herons present on the reserve today and below, a Common Buzzard sailed overhead when we were watching from the seawall.

Above and below, this Little Grebe showed well fishing on the Lake.

Geoff eventually joined us and after a brief chat, we made our way around the perimeter wall. We stopped to check out what the small passerine was on the wire fence, which transpired to be a male Stonechat. A female Stonechat then popped up and a Wheatear was seen further along the fence. A Whinchat was also found on the same stretch of fencing and now all three Chat species were on the fence together! Jason Crook then joined us for a chat and his version of events about the poor management on the reserve and while he continued to talk to Geoff, we all picked up a Kingfisher perched on a fence-post by the main Lake. The bird kindly entertained us for the next 15 minutes or so, flying up and down the area and was even seen catching a small fish and battering it against the fencepost! I even let a few interested people look through my scope to check out the Kingfisher.

Above, a Little Egret flying over the Lake and below, a distant Kingfisher entertained the small crowd gathered by the seawall.

Out in the harbour, the tide was going down rapidly and I found a group of 11 Harbour Seals resting on the mudflats south of the small islands and promptly put the guys onto the Seals. A Common Sandpiper soon entered the scene when it was first heard and then seen flying towards us and then back towards the Lake again. By the Point Field, a further three more Whinchats were seen along with several Meadow Pipits and the briefest of sightings of a Dartford Warbler flying into the brambles, but no further sign. A Yellow Wagtail flew overhead and landed in the Point Field and although I could hear it, the bird was not visible up until it eventually flew off towards the distant Cattle.

Some of the Harbour Seals out in Langstone Harbour.

The Deeps area was also an area of controversy with large hill-like mounds now in place. For what purpose, who knows? But they certainly looked unsightly as did the ploughed up field to the north of the Deeps. What the hell is going on here? The Deeps was literally void of any birds apart from a flock of Linnets and no waders whatsoever! There was no sign of any Ospreys or raptors on the islands out in the harbour, but another Wheatear was found in the field near the Blockhouse, as was a female Kestrel in the fields. We had good views of a Small Copper butterfly on the brambles; a species I have only seen a handful this year. Also, Common Blue’s, Small Heath, Small White and Meadow Brown’s were seen along the perimeter wall and a lone Red Admiral was seen further along the footpath. Both Common Darter and Migrant Hawker dragonflies were abundant on the reserve today and later in the day, Geoff told me that the Willow Pool, over in the south side of the Marshes, was holding Small Red-eyed Damselflies. Interesting.

Above, a Small Copper butterfly on brambles by the seawall. Below, a female Kestrel over on the east side of the reserve.

Finally, another look at the mess left behind by some utter idiots!!!!

We met up with three ‘Lazee’s’ on the seawall: Pete Gammage, Northern John and Andy Friend and while having a good chat about our respective sightings today, a Sparrowhawk was seen distantly soaring to the north of the reserve; our fifth raptor of the day.   

A few waders that were on the Lake that included Redshank and a few Greenshank. This time last year, there would have been hundreds of waders on here at high tide!

One of the Whinchats in the Point Field. Unfortunately, my photos of the birds here were poor and so this one was taken by Emma Parkes.