An intended visit to the New Forest for Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Gos etc was scuppered upon getting out of bed to the sound of various foghorns and parting the curtains to see a very damp, grey and misty outlook.
Speed reductions on the M27 and the use of rear foglights by some meant a left turn and off to Titchfield and the coast where, surprisingly on arrival, the IOW wasn't hiding in the murk. A flat sea, little wind and decent visibility was ideal but sadly the sea was very quiet. Things brightened with this Goosander (below) in the harbour and at times on the south side 'snorkelling' in very shallow water amongst the tideline gulls and Turnstones. As the tide poured in it eventually departed to the west.
These Sanderlings (below) were enjoying some quiet time on the shingle adjacent to Rainbow Bar - thankfully very quiet today for walkers, wind surfers and dogs and so very little disturbance.
A coffee and a chat with Mark plus a couple of other vols with the start of Med Gull calls in the background before driving around to Posbrook. A pale Buzzard rose up off of a Fox carcass just in front of the car and perched about seven feet up. Hopefully it will avoid any traffic collisions.
Unlike last week there were plenty of car parking spaces and heading off to a soundtrack of singing Song Thrushes, Robin's, Wrens and Great Tits felt very spring like as did the temperature (54 degrees on the car gauge).
Bumped into another two Mark's (MF and M? from Sussex). Two of the Glossy Ibis were present amongst plenty of Wigeon and Pintail but no sign of last week's Ferruginous Duck. Finally a quick look behind the stables with MF failed to find the Water Pipit.
