South Coast jaunt no. 1 (19th Jan 2014)

The first of my planned south coast jaunts had its ups and downs.

First stop was Walpole Park where the adult Ring-billed Gull showed very well feeding on the large amounts of bread birders were feeding it.  Also here was an adult Mediterranean Gull.

At Titchfield Haven I only had a brief stop as a 10km race was taking place which would have closed the road, no sign of the Velvet Scoter - just a small selection of waders.

Thence onto Southsea Castle where a £1.60 car parking charge was a bit steep to see a couple of close Purple Sandpipers and a Rock Pipit.

I then dropped into Farlington Marshes where there was the usual stuff but nothing terribly exciting.  At Hayling Oyster Beds the Long-tailed Duck had gone but the high tide roost was impressive.  At Budd's Farm no luck with any of the rare grebes.

Finally dropped into Thursley Common where there was no sign of the Great Grey Shrike but had a Green Woodpecker.