Lower Test
Last weekend saw a visit to a different Wildlife Trust nature reserve, the Lower Test marshes. This reserve is at the head of the Southampton water, and according to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight wildlife trust reserve web page, has a mixture of freshwater and saltwater that provide a great range of habitats, and is a good site for overwintering wildfowl. Click this link to go their web page for more information and directions on how to get there.
We parked beside the Salmon Leap Pub, and immediately spotted this singing Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) sitting on the telephone line just above us.
We walked down the lane to the left of the pub, turned right through a field and then along the boardwalk to the lookouts and hides across the marshes. There was no sign of wildlife outside any of the lookouts along the board walk.
However, spotted this Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) in the reeds along side a section of the boardwalk and a Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) in the trees on the approach to the far hide.
There was more of a selection of wildlife to be viewed from the hide at the far end.
A solitary Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) amongst several Snipes (Gallinago gallinago).
A Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
A Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) amongst the reeds on the far side.
The lighting on the water made for a reasonable reflection shot as well.
On exiting the hide we returned to the lane, and went right to access another set of boardwalks further along. This set of boardwalks take you all the way across to the far side of the reserve. Sighted a few Stonechats along the way but not much else of note.
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