Snow Bunting at Sandy Point.

Saturday 2nd November 2024.

The immature female Snow Bunting at Sandy Point this morning.

It was back birding with the boys this morning and my target species this morning was the long-staying Snow Bunting at Sandy Point, Hayling Island. Not only did we get phenomenal views of the bird, we also checked out both the Harbour entrance and North Common, Northney. Both myself and Andy had our respective Moth Boxes overnight and although there were not many moths present, there were some quality moths among them. The weather was overcast again with very little wind at times, but it most certainly was warm weather gear, but I must remember to bring my warm hat next time!

The Moth Boxes:

The Black Rustic moth by my Moth Box.

Just the four moths were present in and around my Moth Box this morning, with the best being a Black Rustic on one of the outside egg trays. On the white sheet, there was a Double-striped Pug and the micro moth White-shouldered House Moth. Within the Box, there was just the one moth, a Large Yellow Underwing.

Above, the Mottled Umber and below, a Red-line Quaker.

Over at Andy’s Moth Box, there were a few more moths present that included 4 Common Marbled Carpet, a single Cypress Carpet, a Red-lined Quaker (third for the year) and best of all, a Mottled Umber. I thought it was new for the year, but that was when I discovered I had seen one in January this year.

Sandy Point, Hayling Island:

The female type Black Redstart on the roof of one of the seafront houses. The bird was not easy to photograph because the light was poor and the bird never stayed still long.

Parking up in Southwood Road, we made our way to the seafront houses and it didn't take long to find a female Black Redstart on the rooftops. One had been reported here throughout the week and so it was nice to catch up with one at this time of year. The light was awful, but I did manage to grab several photos of the bird, although it was a bit skittish at times. Happy with the Black Redstart, we made our way east along the pathway and began searching for the Snow Bunting. However, our first search was fruitless and then we saw Becky Ladd who gave us directions in where the Snow Bunting had been seen last. It had been reported on Birdguides earlier today and eventually, we found the bird close to the main footpath in front of the houses.

Above, photos and film footage of the Snow Bunting this morning.

To say the bird was close was a massive understatement as it literally walked up to us and stopped when it saw some plants to quickly feed on its seeds. Though some birders thought it was a first winter male, it was looking more and more like a first-winter female bird, judging by the amount of white on the wings. So, from around 12 feet away, we watched the bird in comfort and even sat on a wall while I took loads of photographs and film footage of this delightful little bird. The Snow Bunting (Andy had seen it earlier this week) put me on 199 species in Hampshire for the year and now put me level with Andy on birds seen in Hampshire this year. The Bunting eventually walked off and then rested on the nearby large rocks where Geoff said it had a bath and a drink in some of the rainwater.

More film footage of the superb Snow Bunting.

Other birds noted from this spot included at least four Mediterranean Gulls flying west over the sea and a few Brent Geese heading east. Andy gave the shout that a black coloured duck was flying high east over the sea and I got onto a bit late and concluded it was a drake Common Scoter. Two Great Crested Grebes swam close in and headed eastbound on the sea. Finally, a Grey Wagtail was first heard and then seen flying away from us westbound over the rooftops.

Lifeboat Station, Harbour entrance:

Brent Geese flying into Chichester Harbour.

Becky joined us for a walk to the Lifeboat Station and showed us the actual bush where the Pallas’s Warbler was seen late last month by Andy Johnson. Andy and myself decided to sit on the benches overlooking the harbour entrance, while both Becky and Geoff went up to Black Point to check the wader roost. This area is constantly disturbed by damn windsurfers and dog walkers, but they got lucky and picked out a variety of waders that included Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Grey Plover and Sanderling. 

The Speckled Bush-cricket on the RNLI Building.

Meanwhile, Andy and myself had a cracking female Merlin flying over the harbour entrance and heading low over the water towards West Witterings, which, incidentally, looked absolutely packed with people walking their dogs or simply taking a walk. An adult Shag was fishing half way out within the entrance and there was a constant stream of Brent Geese flying into the harbour to join the many birds present there. Earlier this week, a Black Brant and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen here off Fishers Creek. A flock of 16 Wigeon also flew north into the harbour along with 4 Sanderling. When Becky and Geoff returned, Geoff found a Speckled Bush-cricket perched on the wall of the RNLI Building, which was most unexpected. A female Kestrel flew low over the sea in the same direction as the Merlin seen earlier. After finishing off my flask of coffee, we all walked back to our respective cars and said goodbye to Becky.

Becky, Geoff and Andy are walking back to the car.

North Common,  Northney:

Redshank at Northney.

Our next and final stop was to be North Common, Northney to check the northern end of the harbour from the Hayling end (but not before we paid a tasty visit to Greggs!). Walking north from the small car park along Northney Road, we encountered a small flock of Long-tailed Tits within the brambles and small trees here that also held a couple of Chiffchaffs among them. The small creeks nearby held good numbers of Teal and the waders resting here as the tide ebbed, including Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing. Good numbers of Brent Geese were swimming on the water and a Kingfisher flew past us at speed, but far too quick to grab a photo.

Above, Brent Geese with a Shelduck and drake Mallard in Langstone Harbour and below, Redshank on the saltmarsh.

Above, Bristly Ox-tongue plants were growing along the footpath and below, more Redshank roosting on the saltmarsh waiting for the tide to drop.

Above,  small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit were also present by the shoreline.

Another superb day’s birding with Geoff and Andy and a pleasure to do some birding with Becky Ladd too. What will be our 200th species in Hampshire this year?