BOC Walk: Keyhaven Marshes, 4th December 2021

Keyhaven Marshes offers a variety of wetland habitats which hold plenty of birds especially in winter. Looking out to sea, one is faced with the western end of the Isle of Wight, so depending on the state of the tide, the view is either of a wide sea channel, the Solent, or extensive mudflats and saltmarsh. Inland, there are flooded fields and lagoons.

Six of us met at the large car park in Keyhaven, and we got off to a good start when we discovered that the car park charges had been temporarily waived. Not far away we looked over a freshwater lake and saw an amazing flock of some 50 Little Grebe, while a Black-tailed Godwit gave close up views. We then took the path along the seawall and saw Reed Bunting, Rock Pipit, Linnet and a pair of Stonechat. Further away a Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reeds, a Raven was seen and a Kingfisher flew past eluding most of us. Not far offshore, Dark-bellied Brent Geese were feeding on the mud that was rapidly being covered by the incoming tide, while about ten smart Pintail were half-hidden in the spartina grass. Flocks of waders including Redshank, Curlew and about 20 Knot continued to feed until the tide moved them on.

We sat on the pebbly beach near the jetty to have lunch and a small flock of Turnstone explored the seaweed just in front of us. Then we continued along the seawall. Three Red-breasted Merganser were found fairly distantly out to sea, and then Mike picked out two Slavonian Grebe in some rough water where two currents met, their bright white cheeks contrasting sharply with a jet-black crown. The coastal path turned inland just before a channel that separated us from Normandy Marsh; on the far side we could see some distant Avocet, and there were also Curlew, Dunlin and Grey Plover. We were now heading towards Keyhaven but on a muddy path between fields where large  numbers of Wigeon and Lapwing fed, while a flock of about 200 Golden Plover wheeled overhead. Our route returned us to the
seawall near the jetty from where we retraced our steps back to the cars – overall it had been an enjoyable walk on a cold, bright winter’s day with a good selection of coastal birds.

Robert Godden