Thorney Island revisited 17/09/2020

 After my successful visit a couple of weeks ago, I decided a return to Thorney Island would be a good idea, main target would be the Ospreys that I failed to find last time! Unfortunately the Red-backed Shrike and my Pallid Harrier 😀 hadn't been reported for a couple of days, I felt the change in wind direction had probably seen them on their way but you never know your luck! I managed to arrive before sunrise, the north easterly wind was quite strong so I decided to head down the more sheltered west side, first encounter just past the horse paddocks were a couple of Foxes, which didn't hang around, I reached the seawall, the tide was miles out, and there were few birds close in to the wall, though a Great Black-backed Gull was enjoying a fish breakfast and a Curlew was wandering about on the mud.

Foxes

Curlew

Great Black-backed Gull & Brekkie

At this point Sunrise decided to happen, as I watched the source of life on earth rise magnificently above the tree in all it's fiery glory, listening to Curlew ,Oystercatcher and the occasional Cetti's Warbler calling I remembered why it is I get up at stupid O'clock to do this sort of thing!

Sunrise

Sunrise

Sunrise

Birdwise it was quiet, except for the Little Grebes which were calling nosily and splashing about, too distant and too gloomy for pictures, a Linnet posed nicely, a Grey Heron, a Little Egret and a Kingfisher flew across the Great Deep, guess which one I didn't get a Pic of?!

Linnet

Grey Heron

Little Egret

I went through the security gate, things remained quite quiet and suddenly I realised I was in a field with a herd of cows, not fond of cows, but they were distant and didn't seem interested in an immediate attack, so I continued along the wall, albeit at a slightly faster pace than before. Birds were a little on the scarce side although a few Meadow Pipits,Stonechats and Robins were about and the first Wheatear of the walk posed well.

Cows looking reasonably ferocious

Meadow Pipit

Stonechat

Robin

Wheatear

Wheatear

I reached the area where the RB Shrike had been reported a couple of days previous, so I gave it a good half an hour to show,  few more bits in the bushes, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, more Stonechats and Meadow Pipits but alas no Shrike, no real surprise😪

Stonechat

Blackcap

Giving up I continued south scanning over the water for Ospreys whilst keeping an eye on the bushes for Warblers. Some Seals were lounging on the sand and my first Brent Geese of the season, small groups of Waders were flying about , Curlews and Oystercatchers were dotted about the mud and plenty of Black-headed Gulls, at this point I found myself surrounded by a large flock of Hirundines mainly Swallows which disappeared as quickly as they appeared, this happened several times during the walk big numbers of both Swallows and Housemartins on the move, impossible to photograph to any good effect though😢

Seals

Brent Geese

Curlew

Dunlin

At this point I turned my attention back to the bushes as a large flock of birds was moving through, mostly Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Chiffchaffs though a few Blackcaps and Whitethroats ,I couldn't spot anything rarer, though I didn't cover myself in glory trying to get pics I was as startled, like a rabbit  in the headlights as the posing Meadow Pipit the flock overwhelmed!!

Meadow Pipit

Chiffchaff waving as it went through

Chiffchaff

Long-tailed Tit

Followed the path right out to the point, reaching the RSPB sign for Pilsea Island, do not disturb, do not proceed, taking heed of the sign I scanned the ground ahead, loads of Mippits as there had been across the salt marsh ,but also several exquisite Yellow Wagtails, I became one with the sign ,the advantage of scrawny chicken legs paying off, soon the Yellow Wags were running about catching insects as close as 10 feet away although the Pipits never really came as close, I spent a happy hour here snapping away pausing only to eat a bag of mini cheddars and have a swig of water, so there are quite a few pics!

Meadow Pipit in the Salt Marsh

Loads of Mippits on the stones but they didn't fall for my sign impression as well as the Yellow Wags

Yellow Wagatil

At this point a Kestrel that had been knocking about, in complete disobedience of the RSPB sign buzzed the beach disturbing everything, revealing just how many Pipits there were on the beach and Saltmarsh the sky was full of them, I decided enough was enough and headed back, the wind was stronger here so decided to head back the way I had come rather than get sand-blasted up the East side, through the duney bit, a butterfly was fluttering about which I think is a Wall Butterfly, also saw a couple of Clouded Yellows but couldn't get a pic.

Wall Butterfly

I'd spent so long on the Yellow Wags that the tide had sneaked in amazing how it transforms the views! A bird appeared on top of a bramble patch ,a brief flutter of excitement but soon realised it was a Wheatear but posed well.

Wheatear

Spinnaker Tower

I carried on round the path, gave the Shrike spot some more love, but it didn't produce the desired result another incredibly posy Wheatear here, I just can't resist em sorry!! 

Wheatear

Not sure what it's having for dinner but don't look too appetizing

I carried on round the path, the cows were on the move, luckily away from the path! more Stonechats and a bit of quality in the form of a Whinchat! Another large flock of Hirundines appeared ,a Kestrel which had been knocking around the area, embarrassed itself with a half-hearted attempt to catch some and was duly humiliated before sloping off in disgrace! With the temperature rising plenty of Dragonflies about one of which posed ok, some sort of Darter perhaps?

Whinchat

Cows fleeing before me!

Kestrel failing to catch Hirundines

I went back through the gate and scanned the Great Deep a couple of birders I had seen ,mentioned a couple of Great White Egrets being present, which I had missed earlier, I blame Margie's inferior binoculars ,mine are being fixed again!!😢I soon found one but it flew off around the corner out of sight, so may not have been in view earlier, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!😲along the straight another load of Stonechats and a distant Whinchat enlivened proceedings, they weren't there earlier either, honest Guv!! There was also a Roe Deer buck with only one Antler!!

Great White Egret

Deer with only one antler

Whinchat

Back at the car I contemplated my options no Ospreys , I decided to head down the lane to the east side I made it to the security gate in the strong wind, scanning the landing lights and the yacht masts but to avail the only bird present in the blustery wind were some House Sparrows, a Little Egret and a distant Sparrowhawk

.

I headed back to the car , 9.26 miles walked ,no poxy Ospreys again!! However a highly enjoyable walk ,the Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears and the Sunrise making it extra special!