Bird Meeting

12 members meet at Fort Victoria on a lovely, warm, sunny morning for a short seawatch followed by a walk through the country park to Cliff End Battery and return through the fields. It was very clear and the sea blue which made the views breathe taking, some of our number never having been on this walk before. It was a very quiet morning for birds with the only birds possibly on passage where some Willow/Chiffchaffs. The remainder were either resident or summer visitors. Despite a very high tide the only species spotted over the Solent were Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black Backed Gull. Robin, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Wren, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Buzzard, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Magpie were seen during the morning and only a few House Martin and Swallows were noted over the fields. A Sparrowhawk flashed by whilst we were admiring the view. Several species of butterflies were seen on such a calm day, Comma, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small and Large White, Red Admiral , Peacock and Gatekeeper.  19 species of birds were noted during the course of the morning. Jackie Hart