Hayling Oysterbeds

Sunday 24 October 2021

Hampshire Ornithological Society

Hayling Oyster Beds Walk

09.30 to 13.30

I was one of a group of 14 members, including our leader for the day Kevin Stouse, who enjoyed a lovely morning walk from Warblington Church to the Hayling Oyster Beds.  The weather was excellent for the time of year, mild and dry.  My species count was just shy of 50, a very creditable total.

• My target species was Red-breasted Merganser and we were fortunate enough to see two, one as we approached the oyster beds on Hayling Island and a second on the lagoon by the car park at the beds themselves.  This latter bird afforded us superb views from close range.  
• A lovely Grey Wagtail got us off to a good start as we left the churchyard at Warblington. 
• Brent Geese were abundant with well over 50 seen, in the air and on the ground.
• Pick of the waders were the Grey Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits, Curlews, a single Turnstone and, best of all, a Greenshank. 
• Most of the usual ducks were seen with a male and female Pintail standing out from the rest.
• Perhaps the most memorable moment came on the return leg when we saw hundreds of Oystercatchers bedded down on one of the islands close to our footpath.  The light was just right and showed these lovely birds at their very best.
• There were still 3 Sandwich Terns hanging around.
• There were plenty of Stonechats around.

A great walk, a new one for me and one I would like to come back to.  Kevin reckons this site is best visited in March when the Mediterranean Gulls return in large numbers.

Very enjoyable but, yet again, no sign of migrating birds

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