Wednesday 4th January 2023: Hayling Island

 Today we crossed the border into Hampshire to visit Hayling Island, an area we have not birded before. We were lured by reports of Velvet Scoters on the sea at Langstone Harbour and although these failed to show for us, we very much enjoyed our day and plan to visit again in the future.

We were very lucky to be able to persuade Bernie, our local bird expert, to accompany us as he was familiar with the area. The weather was overcast and rather windy, making viewing over the sea somewhat tricky, and it became clear that is a site more suitable for calmer weather, when the water would be less choppy.

We started off with a short wind-assisted walk from the car park to the oyster beds, noting three Rock Pipits fly in to forage amongst the seaweed at the water’s edge. As we turned the corner to the beds it became significantly less windy, and we were able to hold the scopes still to scan the area. The tide was high and there were just a few remnants of exposed marsh and rocks which were covered with waders, predominantly Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Grey Plover, with a smattering of Redshank, Turnstones and the odd Curlew for good measure. The bulk of these would intermittently take off and wheel back and forth across the water in a spectacular display before choosing a new spot on which to settle. Brent Geese and Shelduck were both new for the year. More interesting were a pair of Goldeneye swimming in the main harbour just outside the oyster beds, the males in particular always a joy to see with their striking black and white plumage.

Goldeneye (m)

 Just one pair of Wigeon bobbed on the water, and at some distance were three Red-breasted Mergansers ducking and diving by the bridge. A single Shoveler and probable Long-tailed Duck were seen in flight, and Bernie called a Kittiwake although the rest of us were a bit slow in getting on to this well enough to confidently identify its distinguishing features.

We moved on from here to Black Point, on the other side of the island overlooking Chichester Harbour. Here we managed to pick out a Shag in the swell and at least eight overwintering Sandwich Terns circled and dived at close range. A sandy spit was covered with waders, with Oystercatchers huddled together against the wind and behind them a cluster of Ringed Plover similarly posed. Clusters of Dunlin were more active as were clockwork-like Sanderlings, running busily back and forth across the sand feeding.

Our final stop was the Monkton track at West Dean, where we were very pleased to find several Hawfinch perched  in the trees and seen well through the scopes. We failed to see this species last year, so to bag one so early in January was a real bonus! A couple of Firecrest and several pairs of Marsh Tit were located in the bushes lining the track and two Mistle Thrush rested on a telephone wire. There were good numbers of Redwing flying around too - we estimated at least 100, and these obligingly landed in the trees to show off their distinctive eye stripe and rufous flanks. Several Raven flew overhead , plus a Common Buzzard and a Kestrel.

We finished a satisfying day with around 50 species, and a determination to return to this interesting site on a calmer day!