Trip ReportThe first part of the walk was along the road towards the Fleet. We stopped half way to admire the view towards Golden Cap just in time to watch a pair of Buzzards soar out over the Gorse bushes covering the ancient rabbit warren. 2 Mistle Thrushes were watched at close quarters through the telescope.Reaching the shoreline the telescope came in handy again as we searched the waters of the Fleet for sea duck. 2 species were found, Red-breasted Merganser and the less common Goldeneye, but both were very distant. Next we turned north and walked along the edge of the field towards Rodden Hive. The soil here was full of fossil oysters from the famous deposit on the beach just below us. A Redshank called from the shoreline and allowed us to get quite good views before it flew off with 5 others. Reaching the inlet known as Rodden Hive we could see that the whole area was alive with birds. Wigeon were calling all around us and could be seen in small groups all over the Fleet. In the distance a long black line turned out to be a large flock of Coot, a bird that is only ever seen in such numbers at this location. Closer to us we could identify Pintail, Shoveler, Teal and Shelduck swimming in mixed flocks and 50 or more Lapwings resting on the shore. The Lapwings were a splendid sight as they took off and circled around in their characteristic way. Walking through the fields on the final leg of our walk the light was too poor to see much but we did come across a group of Long-tailed Tits very close to us in the hedge and a Sparrowhawk flying off into the distance As we reached the second stile near the rabbit warren a Green Woodpecker called loudly and flew off just in front of us. We returned to the car park just half an hour late - an excellent time considering how long we had spent looking at all the birds! |
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Plants Elm London Plane Holm Oak Gorse Tree Mallow Alexanders Stinking Iris |
Birds Little Egret Cormorant Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Mallard Wigeon Teal Shoveler Pintail |
Shelduck Mute Swan Sparrowhawk Buzzard Lapwing Redshank Pheasant Coot Mistle Thrush Long-tailed Tit Greenfinch |