Saturday 23rd November 2025.
A pair of Common Snipe kept us entertained during our stay in the Meonshore Hide.
I knew from last night's weather forecast that it was going to be poor, with rain all day for our region on the south coast and so the option was either the Hides at Titchfield Haven or Bashford Lakes? I opted for the former and so picking both Geoff and Andy up at ‘Cowplain Marsh’ (Andy’s house) we took the drive southbound to this superb Reserve, despite the inclement weather (nothing whatsoever in or around Geoffs Moth Box this morning). A strong southerly was blowing in off the Solent and surprisingly, it was damn cold too as the rain stung your face as we made the long walk to the first Hide after paying for our tickets.
A hot flask of coffee, a dry cosy Hide and great company; what more do you want on a grim days birding? This photo was from the Spurgin Hide.
Emma Parkes joined up later in the morning within the Meonshore Hide where there was only one chap present within the Hide, but even he left after 30 minutes on our arrival and should he be reading this, thank you for pointing out the Marsh Harriers at the back of the back of the Reserve. After a good couple of hours within the reserve (possibly longer), we eventually left the Meonshore Hide and made our way to the Spurgin Hide and tried our luck for the Penduline Tits that were seen here a week ago. You probably know what happens next?
Despite the poor weather, it didn't stop the local birds carrying on with their day with good numbers of Mallard, Turnstone and a few Redshank here in the small harbour by the main road.
Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve, Hill Head:
A female Marsh Harrier, of three over the Reserve, occasionally flew close over the nearby reedbed.
The rain was coming down with a strong wind behind it as we made our way around the small harbour that contained a mixture of Turnstone, Redshank, Coots and numerous Mallard. The long walk to the Meonshore Hide seemed endless, but on arrival, there was just the one chap quietly sitting there enjoying the peace and quiet before we arrived! Actually, we kept our conversations as quiet as possible and it was another chance to see how well my new camera copes with dull and wet conditions.
Above, one of a few Redshank in the small harbour and below, the usual good numbers of Turnstone were also showing well in the same area.
Above, close to the Meonshore Hide, there was this Redshank, Lapwing and three Teal present and below, the Lapwing had departed and left behind the two other species.
Thankfully, the small islands in front of us had some very obliging birds to photograph that included good numbers of Teal, Shoveler, Redshank, Lapwing and a couple of showy Common Snipe. A Grey Heron dropped in briefly as did a Little Egret during our stay here in the Meonshore Hide and now and then, everything would take flight as a passing raptor whizzed through over the Reserve; notably a female Sparrowhawk. Up to three Marsh Harriers, all female types, were seen over the Reserve, with one individual doing sorties close to us over the eastern reedbed. It was a pleasure to watch as it used the wind to stay motionless over the reedbed, looking down to spot an unwary duck or Coot below in the reeds. Then it was twisted away, sometimes hassled by the local Crows and then returned to to try its luck again over the same bit of reedbed. I understand that the Marsh Harriers had a good breeding season here on the Reserve, which is excellent news. On the way down to the Reserve, we saw both a Red Kite and a Kestrel to add to our raptor list for the day.
Above, there were a lot of birds in front of the Meonshore Hide to enjoy and below, this female Teal was preening herself.
Above, the Common Snipe resting on one of the small islands and below, the partial albino Oystercatcher among its fellow species along with a pair of Gadwall and a female Teal.
Above, the female Marsh Harrier quartering over the reedbed again and below, a Grey Heron coming into land in front of the Hide.
As well as the ducks already mentioned, there was also a flock of around 50+ Wigeon on the North Scrape briefly before they flew off and also Mallard, several Gadwall and out of the blue, Geoff picked out the drake Goosander that has been around for several weeks here. It was sat on one of the small islands with Teal; it must have flown in while we were not looking. It lingered here for around another ten minutes and then flew off south over the reedbeds. Throughout the morning, we could hear a Water Rail ‘squealing’ in the reedbed just right of the Hide and while Andy went outside for a ‘fag’, the Water Rail flew out of the reedbed right in front of us and landed out of view within the reedbed to the left of the Hide. Later in the early afternoon, another Water Rail, along with a Fox, was seen on the footpath on the Reserve as we made our way back to the car. There were at least 50+ Oystercatchers using one of the islands to rest on and it included the partial albino individual that has been around for a couple of years here. Another flock of Oystercatchers were also using the grassy bank to the west of the South Scrape and these were eventually joined by a flock of around 50 Black-tailed Godwits that had just flown in from the fields to the north of the Reserve.
Above, a flock of around 50 Black-tailed Godwit joined the resting Oystercatchers on the west side of the South Scrape and below, the drake Goosander turned up, but it didn't stay that long before flying off.
Our last notable sighting was of an adult Mediterranean Gull flying south over the Scrape and then headed off towards the seafront in the wind and rain. Enjoying our time here, especially out of the rain and having enjoyed one of Emma’s home-made Sausage Rolls, we made our way to the Spurgin Hide. Although our time within that Hide was somewhat brief due to the lack of birds!
Above, the beautiful colours of the drake Teal and below, a female Shoveler. Both birds are obligingly in front of the Meonshore Hide.
Of course, there was not an ‘inkling’ of any Penduline Tits, though as Geoff pointed out, there was plenty of ‘Reedmace’ for the birds to enjoy in front of the Hide. The wind and rain was relentless and as flocks of Teal, Gadwall and Shovelers headed north over the reedbeds and large numbers of ‘honking’ Canada Geese arriving onto the Reserve, it was too quiet here. Having already emptied my delicious flask of Coffee, I was now scrounging from Andy for a cup of his ‘God awful’ brew, but it was hot and wet I suppose! A fairly large flock of Stock Doves took off from a distant tree, circled a few times and returned to the same tree which signalled it was time to get back to the car. I don’t think we could have walked fast enough to get back to the warmth and dryness of my car, but as always, the great company I keep always keeps me cheerful despite the grim weather.
