Winter at Farlington Marshes, Guided Birdwatching Trip Report

In late January, before the wettest February on record, I led an event around the ever interesting and bird-filled Farlington Marshes.

Pintail

One highlight of the day was the spectacular flocks of waders, primarily dunlin, wheeling around the sky at high tide. Some of these made their way into the centre of the reserve. Most unusually there were small waders, ringed plover and dunlin, using the area of grassland. The ringed plovers were just roosting but many of the dunlins were feeding. This is not a typical habitat on which to see these species, they tend to prefer areas with bare ground as opposed to a grassland sward.

Roosting Ringed Plovers

Digiscoped image of a Dunlin and Ringed Plover flock.

As usual on this site a plethora of waders and ducks were seen, some are pictured below.

Avocets

Black-tailed Godwit

Pintail

A young Oystercatcher

And finally a mixed flock of 8 species. Front to back are Black-headed Gull, Pintail, Teal, Redshank, Lapwing,
 Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Brent Goose

A sandwich tern put in a prolonged appearance and we watched this individual fishing alongside the sea wall around the peak of the tide. Traditionally a summer visitor, these birds are increasingly spending the winter around Hampshire and Sussex, most probably due to the warming conditions.

Stonechats are a favourite of mine, and are a regular sighting at Farlington in the winter. Typically obliging, we enjoyed the company of one who gave us outstanding views, pictured below.

Photos were kindly provided by Les Phillips. Check out the events page for upcoming trips such as this half day at Farlington Marshes where we saw 54 different species.

- Hugh Baggaley