Eight members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Alverstone Mead on 9 June.
From the onset we were treated to fine birdsong, with Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Song Thrushes heard from the car parking area. As we began to walk west along the cycle track, other songsters joined the chorus with Common Whitethroats, Wrens, Blackbirds and Dunnocks in the scrub and both Cetti’s Warblers and Reed Warblers in the reedbeds.
Song Thrush Reed Warbler
Overhead, Buzzards soared on the rising thermals and Herring Gulls drifted by. A brood of Mallards swam past close to the track, joined by a juvenile Moorhen bringing up the rear. Several male Banded Demoiselles were on the wing and thankfully a few rested on nearby reed leaves, giving us the chance for fine views of their iridescent colours. Further along the track we encountered Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Greenfinch Banded Demoiselle
We returned back east via the woodland path and had 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on entering the wood. The resident Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins were all around the `feeding bench’ and we saw a red squirrel in trees nearby and a young rabbit, obliviously feeding on the path right beside us all. A Jay was in full view as we crossed the field back to the cycle track and Common Blue Damselflies and Speckled Woods were on the wing as we approached the end of the walk.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Speckled Wood
Dave Fairlamb
