Nature Notes from SE Hampshire w/e 17th October
19 October 2009
Portsmouth & Portsdown
Eight Sandwich terns were seen off the Milton shore on 14th and 12 on 16th. On 14th there was a rock pipit on the shore.
There were around 650 wigeon near Pewit Island in Portsmouth Harbour on 16th.
On 16th there were 3 Brent goose family parties off Milton with a total of 6 juveniles. It is too early to draw any conclusions on last summer's breeding success.
Three goldeneyes have been in Portsmouth harbour this week. One was also seen on the Sinah lake in South Hayling.
Also on 16th a garganey was on the Lake at Farlington Marshes. The Sinah bird had not been reported since 10th.
A honey buzzard flew over the Hookheath reserve north of Portsdown on 16th. In the woods south of the reserve there were 3 splendid cauliflower fungi by the foot path.
A flock of around 180 jackdaws flew over Portsmouth towards the North West on Sunday 18th.
Chiffchaffs were still singing on Portsdown on 18th.
Havant hayling & Emsworth
The Little Deeps night roost of little egrets held 152 on October 10th.
Three rock pipits flew over Sandy Point Hayling on 12th. A grasshopper warbler and 4 reed buntings were in this area on the previous day.
Pochards have been on the Budds Farm pools since 12th.
On 14th October there were at least 26 red-breasted mergansers in Langstone Harbour. On 17th 3 were seen off Langstone Pond shore.
A flock of around 400 Brent geese off the South Moors shore on 15th included at least one family with 2 juveniles. A pale bellied version was among dark bellied off Black Point from 14th to 16th and another off Titchfield Haven on 15th.
A single black redstart was seen briefly on South Hayling on 13th.
Small groups of shelduck are arriving back with groups of 10-15 being seen at Emsworth, off Warblington and Southmoor shores.
Among the many sightings of buzzards this week was one of 5 over Havant on Saturday 17th.
At Prinsted this week the plants seen included dwarf mallow, moth mullein and shaggy soldier.
Fareham and Gosport
A late reed warbler was at Titchfield Haven on 13th October.
Gosport had 43 common darter and 2 migrant hawker dragonflies active and a third generation of brown argus butterflies on October 8th.
Waterlooville and South Downs
There have been at least 3 firecrests, a redwing and a brambling in the Queen Elizabeth Country Park this week. Adder, grass snakes and slow worms could also be seen in the park. On Ramsdean Down (N W Butser) there were 6 ring ouzels at dusk on 14th.
Cauliflower fungus can be seen in Park Wood.
Chamomile is still flowering by the tennis courts on Purbrook Heath.
On 12th October a crossbill was heard in Creech Woods Denmead.
