Titchfield - 17th January

The weather was cloudy and windy with a little rain. Highlights were Peregrines and a Kingfisher.

While we waited for everyone to arrive we were treated to hundreds of Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit flying around in flocks. Something had put them up, but what? A couple of people saw a Peregrine along the beach as they arrived.
Due to the windy weather we started off along the east side of the reserve, which was more sheltered. The first hide overlooks the river and there was not a lot around. A small flock of Pochard and a few Coot and Tufted Duck. Small flocks of Starling and a Common Gull flew past. We could also see Canada Geese coming in to the lake opposite where there were a few Gadwall and Shelduck. The second hide overlooks wet fields and there was a flock of Canada Geese feeding here with a small group of Barnacle Geese and one Grey-lag Goose. Sitting on the grass fairly close by was a young Peregrine. Over the next 20 minutes or so we were treated to seeing it flying around and trying to catch a few birds, but with no success. On the lake at the far end of the field was a small flock of Wigeon with some Teal and a Shoveler. The third hide had a different view over the same fields and lake. We saw much the same as from the second hide, but also saw a Little Grebe on the lake with the Teal and Wigeon.
We then walked along the coast road to the west side of the reserve seeing a few Oystercatcher and a Turnstone on the beach. Dennis also had a brief view of a Kingfisher before it disappeared over some reeds. The hides on the west side overlook the lakes and from them we had better views of Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler. There were many Lapwing settled and feeding. After a short while a flock of over 100 Black-tailed Godwit arrived and gave us a spectacular display as they wheeled around looking for somewhere to settle. We also saw a few Moorhen and Pheasants from the hides here.
Simon Curson