Titchfield Haven 12th May 2007

We arrived at Titchfield just before 10.00 and parked by the sea wall. The wind was very strong although it was not cold.

After going to the visitors centre to pay the entrance fee, we set off through the gate on the west side of the reserve to the first hide. Here we heard a Cetti’s Warbler call.

From the hide we saw Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and many Black-headed Gulls sitting on nests. Lots of Swifts were flying overhead.

We walked to the second hide, on the way seeing Blackcap, Sedge Warblers & Chiffchaff.

From this hide we saw Mediterranean Gulls sitting on nests. We also noticed that as well as the Swifts, there were Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins flying around.

Common & Sandwich Terns were also seen. Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher & Turnstone were all feeding in the shallows.

From the third hide, just in front of us, three very young Avocet chicks were feeding, the adult bird keeping a watchful eye on them, chasing off any birds that came too close.

After lunch we went to the other side of the reserve, walking through the wooded area,

A pair of Jays, plus a family of Long-tailed Tits, Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Robins & Blackbirds were seen or heard.

Very few birds were seen from the first hide which overlooks the river. The wind was very strong and gusting up the river.

The next hide overlooked the water meadows, with the river in the distance. From here we saw our birds of the day, two adults and an immature Little Gull were flying backwards & forwards over the river.

This trip was enjoyed by the nine people who attended, The weather forecast was for rain, but we only encountered this on the journey home.

Dave Jones (photographs by the author)