19/03/2017 Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve Visit

Sunday 19 March 2017
Titchfield haven NNR, Hampshire
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

Trip Report – Visit to Titchfield Haven – 19th March 2017

There can’t be many sites more idyllically placed than Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve in Hampshire.  Located in the floodplain of the River Meon, with the Solent and the Isle of Wight forming the southern backdrop, the views are simply stunning.  So it was not surprising that 15 members made the long journey to spend the day there.

The weather was far from idyllic however.  Thankfully it stayed dry all day but it was overcast and the strong winds made it quite chilly at times.

• As always we started with a sea watch. The very early arrivers, Mark and Elizabeth, were on hand to see 17 eiders and 20+ sanderling fly by.  Most of us were able to get good views of the 6 scaup that were swimming close to the shore and the many turnstones that were on the shoreline.  There were at least 2 Mediterranean gulls, 2 lesser black-backed gulls and 50 brent geese.

• On the reserve, Lyn and Elizabeth were the lucky ones who saw the little gull.  We all managed to just miss the crane but we were entertained for some time by the many snipe that were showing well from the hide.  The avocets were present in good numbers and were showing well.  There were a few black-tailed godwits as well as the usual water birds.  A single barnacle goose having an altercation with a Canada goose provoked a lengthy discussion as to its pedigree. 
• Several buzzards, at least one kestrel and a marauding marsh harrier provided our raptor input with the latter winning the popularity stakes.
• With the strong winds, passerines were few and far between with several goldcrests being the pick of the depleted bunch.  However a singing chiffchaff reminded us that spring is almost here.
• Near the end of our time we encountered a fox lazing on a mound of earth, less than 10 metres away from us as we passed by on the boardwalk.  It was completely unfazed by our presence, probably smug in the knowledge that none of us were likely to enter the water to get a closer view.

After finishing with a welcome hot drink in the café we all departed for home content that we had seen a good variety of birds, accumulated a species list of 56 and generally had a very good time.  It was especially nice to see Dickie demonstrating his new-found fitness as we moved around the reserve.