March 17th at Whippingham

After experiencing a storming Saturday 10 members and one visitor met at the Folly on a blustery but sunny Sunday morning for a walk along the east bank of the River Medina  towards Newport. We started off looking over the river and to the west bank and saw 25 Turnstone on one of the pontoons. There were six Canada Geese on the lawn of Pinkmead and on the river bank nearby 12 Oystercatcher. A pair of Red Breasted Merganser was swimming on the sea. Amongst the Black-headed Gulls there was a Mediterranean Gull with its black headed markings fully developed and subsequently we saw at least another seven. There were also Herring Gull and two Great Black Backed Gull. Curlew were on the river bank and one was quite near us on the east side of the river. Walking along we noted about 100 Brent Geese feeding along the shoreline and ten Mallard flew by at various times. A Cormorant flew and we saw 22 Mute Swan in the far distance on the river towards Newport. Sky Larks soared in the sky singing away and a male Stonechat perched on a hedge top and then the fence. Both Meadow Pipit and Rock Pipit were spotted as was a Moorhen and a number of Coot. We looked for the Peregrine in the usual places but did not see it but we did have three Buzzard and a Kestrel hovered near us and two Mistle Thrush were seen. In the grounds of the static caravans we saw a Red Squirrel. Arriving back at the cars a Chiffchaff was heard singing. In all 41 species were noted during the course of the morning. Jackie Hart