☁☀Saturday March 11th 2017 ~ A birthday celebration for one of Dee's friends down in Lymington, Hampshire this weekend gave us the opportunity to visit Keyhaven Salt Marsh today.
 |
| One of a brace of Dartford Warbler at Keyhaven! |
Parking at Lower Pennington Lane we took an anti-clockwise route in the hope that by the time we reached the lagoons the morning mist would have cleared. Singing
Chiffchaff as we headed along the footpath with lots of gorse to search along the route. In fact after only fifteen minutes the first call of
Dartford Warbler and almost immediately two birds were located, one perching briefly for the all important photo!
 |
| Common Adder ~ Likely just recently emerged! |
Dee noticed some movement along the track while here and to our amazement an Adder was slowly making its way across the path. A passing dog walker was not amused π
 |
| Rock Pipit ~ One of three today! |
Moving on the first of two adult
Mediterranean Gulls across towards the lagoons and while checking the pools at the Efford Landfill Site two
Marsh Harriers at distance. With the tide in by the time we reached the sea wall most waders were at distance but a flock of circa 100
Black-tailed Godwit were notable. Pausing at Iley Point to look out across the sea, where birds of note included
Red-breasted Merganser and several flocks of
Brent Geese. A
Spoonbill was fast asleep on the Keyhaven Lagoon and as we tracked back to the car, passing Fishtail and Butts Lagoons, a
Ruff, heading into summer plumage took us by surprise as he swam past!
 |
| Ruff ~ Interesting to find one swim by! |
Several
Little Egrets and plenty of
Curlew, plus the usual selection of waterfowl today, including many
Pintail. Other notables included:
Stonechat, (5)
Roe Deer, (4)
Cetti's Warbler heard and a trio of pipits:
Meadow Pipit,
Rock Pipit and
Water Pipit!
