No 'Fudge Duck', but a good day's birding.

Saturday 20th December 2025.

Geoff overlooking Langstone Harbour from Budds Mound.

Geoff Farwell, Andy Fisher and myself went to three destinations today and seeing the weather was a bit similar to last Saturday (bright and sunny, with little wind), it was a pleasure to be out and about today. Our target bird was to be yesterday’s drake Ferruginous Duck on Brownwich Pond and then play it by ear for the rest of the day. Emma and Matt Parkes were staying on the Isle of Sheppey this weekend and so it was just us three in search of avian goodies.

Brownwich Pond,  near Titchfield:

Brownwich Pond. There was no sign of the Ferruginous Duck throughout the day here.

We eventually parked up in the small Car Park by Chilling Barns, which was full of very large puddles and extremely muddy before taking the long walk to Brownwich Pond. The only time I have ever been to this site was when a Bittern turned up and showed well many years ago one Winter. The location was a new one for both Geoff and Andy and it was quite an impressive sized Pond.

Above, some of the Canada Geese in the field south of the footpath with a large tanker passing by out of Southampton Water. Below, Rooks and Carrion Crows take flight north of the footpath.

Above, the drake Goosander at the back of the Pond with a Black-headed Gull looking on.

The maize stubble fields held a large flock of around 60 Canada Geese to the south of the footpath and it also held a large number of Skylarks searching for seeds etc in the field. The numbers of Skylarks varied at times, but when a pair of rogue dogs started running over the fields owned by some irresponsible owners, they flushed all the Skylarks and Geoff estimated about 120+ birds all told. Very impressive. To the north of the footpath, there were large numbers of Corvids around in the trees, that included mostly Rooks and Jackdaws. Small numbers of both Chaffinch and Pied Wagtails were seen close to the footpath; but not a great deal else along the footpath to the Pond.

Above, the poor female Tufted Duck that had a fishing hook through its bill. Hopefully, it will be rescued soon. Below, a Mute Swan came up to me for a close up.

Above, some of the many Skylarks flying over the maize field.

On reaching the Pond, a good search for the Ferruginous Duck drew a blank, but a drake Goosander at the northern end of the Pond showed very well at times after being very elusive in the small reedbed. Apparently, the Ferruginous Duck was associating with Tufted Ducks, but apart from one unfortunate female bird that had sadly got caught up with a hook and fishing line, the other Tuftied and the ‘Fudge Duck’ had departed. We were joined by some other birders who told us that the Fishing Bailiff had been informed of the unfortunate Tufted Duck and hopefully will be caught and have the hook removed.

Above and below, more Skylarks appeared when a pair of dogs ran across the same field.

Above, a pair of Chaffinches by the main footpath and below, several Pied Wagtails were nearby.

Apart from Mallards, Coots, a few Moorhens and a pair of Mute Swans, all was quiet here, though Geoff saw a Chiffchaff (we dipped on that) and a Cormorant dropped in to settle on the water. After a good hour here, we made our way back to the car where we watched the large flocks of Skylarks flying over the fields and up to 6 Chaffinches feeding close to the footpath. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew overhead and landed distantly in nearby woodland.

Posbrook Floods & the Canal Path, Titchfield Haven:

A female Marsh Harrier flew over the Bridge Street Floods to flush most of the birds off it.

On arrival within the Car Park, we had lunch and then made our way firstly up to the Bridge Street Floods, north of the road,  where yesterday, the Glossy Ibis, Water Pipit and a ‘Siberian’ Chiffchaff were seen. Apart from a Carrion Crow, we saw absolutely nothing! So we turned back and made our way south down the Canal Path. The weather was still excellent with bright sunshine as we checked out the Bridge Street Floods where a large number of wildfowl and waders were enjoying the calm weather. However, when a female Marsh Harrier passed overhead, that signalled the bird life there to all take flight. This included not only a large number of Black-tailed Godwits flying over, but also flushed the 5 Glossy Ibis which circled several times before landing back down on the floods.

Above and below, Teal on Posbrook Floods.

Above, a male Kestrel by the Canal Path and below, the Reserve looking south-east.

Above, a Grey Heron coming into land and below, four of the five Glossy Ibis taking off after being flushed by a female Marsh Harrier.

Above, one of the female Marsh Harriers over the Reserve this afternoon.

It was to be a good afternoon for raptors as not only did we see up to 5 Marsh Harriers (including two males) all in the air together, but also a Red Kite flying over, at least four Common Buzzards, a female Kestrel and a male Sparrowhawk while walking down the main footpath. We did check out Posbrook Floods thoroughly for the possible sighting of the Ferruginous Duck, but all we could find was a Little Grebe and a Grey Heron. On the way back, the same Floods soon held a large number of Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler and a pair of Gadwall dropped in too. 

The female Marsh Harrier over the Bridge Street Floods and below, the flushed and the flusher! Four of the five Glossy Ibis having been flushed by the Marsh Harrier at the bottom of the photo.

Above, a sleeping Grey Heron and below, a mixture of birds on the Bridge Street Floods.

Above, we have a mixture of Canada Geese, Wigeon, Cormorants, Pintail, Black-headed Gulls and Black-tailed Godwit on the Bridge Street Floods. Below, the male Kestrel near the main footpath.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen briefly flying over the reserve and a second bird was heard calling as it passed overhead as we walked through the wooded area along the footpath. At least two Stonechats were seen by Posbrook Floods, but too distant to see what sex they were but most likely a pair. Both Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff were heard (though not seen) and also a Water Rail was heard several times from the reedbeds over on the east of the Reserve.

Budds Mound and Langstone Harbour, Bedhampton:

Andy overlooking Langstone Harbour this afternoon.

It was now around 2.30pm and I wanted to round the day off at Budds Mound as there were some interesting sightings around here early this morning that included a pair of Slavonian Grebes associating with a pair of Black-necked Grebes. Also, a couple of Great Northern Divers were also present as well as the female Scaup.

Above, a Redshank by the seawall on the receding tide and below, as was this Grey Plover.

Above, a Common Gull about to land on the water in front of us and below, the distant Great Northern Diver in front of Long Island.

When we arrived, we parked up and with my scope, I carefully checked out the harbour for the birds mentioned. Despite a lengthy search, plus the light was getting darker with large clouds now going through, the only notable bird seen was a single Great Northern Diver swimming just north of Long Island. Good numbers of both Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebes were picked up through the scope and a Little Grebe was seen swimming near the seawall. Below us, there were a few waders seen feeding along the shoreline that included Oystercatchers, Redshank and a lone Grey Plover. A Common Buzzard was seen perched on Long Island and a Kestrel was hunting in the fields near the Car Park to round off our sightings  for today.