Following a very early start, Andy drove us down on what was a pretty dreary day. The roads were a breeze and we arrived at Titchfield Haven, a little east of Southampton in just under 2 hours!
We parked up by the River Meon on the edge of the reserve in very breezy conditions. We began scanning from the roadside, soon finding several Black Tailed Godwit, but as yet, no Yellowlegs. Walking round to the reserve entrance, we were annoyed to find the reserve and hides didn't open until 09:30am!! Being about 07:45am, this was far from ideal!! What is the point of a nature reserve opening that late...ridiculous!!
It would've been a right pain to go on to the Hudsonian Whimbrel and then having to come back. We kept scanning about but nothing. Undecided what to do, we walked back towards the car. Walking along the road, I could see the Godwits were a bit closer and immediately spotted with the naked eye a bird that look different and very Yellowlegs-like. And there it was, Greater Yellowlegs!
For the next 45 minutes or so, it showed really, really well, feeding very close to the road together with several Godwits and Black Headed Gulls.
Once we'd had our fill of the Yellowlegs, we jumped in the car and headed off east for 40 minutes or so, along to Pagham Harbour.
The walk out from the RSPB Pagham Harbour car park to the Church Norton end was a fairly lengthy one, however was a pretty pleasant one despite the rather gloomy skies. The paths were littered with numerous Gatekeepers and there were plenty of Whitethroat en route.
The Siddlesham Ferry Pool, right by the road looked awesome for waders and not surprisingly there was a few bits to see. Best was a moulting adult Spotted Redshank, as well as a small gathering of Avocet, Black Tailed Godwits and a couple of Ringed Plover.
It began to rain but thankfully not too long before we made it to the hide at the Church Norton end. We began scanning and soon racked up a nice variety of birds as the tide gradually began to recede.
Waders included about 6 or 7 standard Whimbrel, a few Grey Plover, Turnstones, Black Tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plovers, Redshank, Dunlin, Oystercatchers & Curlew (including an awesome looking Leucistic bird!).
Terns too were very much in evidence with a sizable colony of Sandwich Terns, regular Little Terns fishing the channels and the odd Common Tern about too.
Sadly though, despite several hours of scanning the mud and channels, wandering around and scanning from the hide, we drew a blank on the Hudsonian Whimbrel. By mid-afternoon, we were tired and hungry and decided to call it a day and head for home.
It had though been a great day and a good laugh too! I had a quick look at birdguides while waiting in traffic on the A34 on the way home. Wish I hadn't! The 'Hud' was now showing in front of the hide!! But nevermind you can't win them all and to see my first Greater Yellowlegs at such close quarters was a more than adequate prize!
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