This is a tale of two weekends. The first, I was in Southsea at a gig to see Afro Celt Sound System who should be on everyones's bucket list in my opinion. Wonderful life affirming live music from a superb band.
I stayed overnight in the van, as near Southsea Castle there had been some rare Snow Bunting seen all week. I woke to the iconic sound of Herring Gulls calling around me.
After breakfast and just after sunrise, I ventured out along the seafront.
In autumn and winter there is always a good chance to spot Purple Sandpiper along the seawall by the castle here. Earlier on in the year they proved allusive. Not today however, they showed really well in the sunrise...
Along the castle's ramparts, Rock Pipits zipped around...
The trawlers were out catching their living as I headed to the area where the Snow Bunting had been seen thinking it was a forgone conclusion they would be there, they were not!
I headed back to the van near the pier feeling a little disappointed in the no show snow bunting but happy with the Sandpiper.
I got word from my friend Chris that the bunting had appeared a couple of hours later. C'est la vie!
The previous weekend to this I got word of another rare bird just a couple of miles away next to The Haven. A Black Redstart on migration had been seen all week. Very much like a Robin in stature and just as prominent when showing itself, except it wouldn't show itself for me. I wasn't having a great time on these rare birds. Maybe it was me?
Refusing to descend into an inferiority complex, I took solace in the regularly seen birds that showed well in the very good weather that had been a constant from summer end into autumn.
A Song Thrush did it's best to appease me...
..and a simple Robin looked resplendent in the sunshine...
as did a Pied Wagtail...
and this iridescent Starling
I walked a little way along the cliff path and looked back towards Titchfield Haven Nature reserve as Canada Geese flew in.
As I stood, I glanced into a neighbours garden where a Kestrel was taking a break. How I'd love to see Kes sitting in my garden. I don't think they had any idea it was there!
Time was drawing in along with the day. Great Crested Grebes fed out on the water as the sun set. Every few seconds the vista changed. I only seem to notice this at the last moments of the day or at the very beginning. Maybe because they are usually more striking and we need to hang on to them more desperately? The main part of the day seems to pass by relatively unnoticed. Another day done...
Leaping on seven days past the sufferable working week, I was back walking along the beach to The Haven once again. This time Sarah accompanied me along with a cherished friend we hadn't seen in quite a while.
The tide in the Haven harbour was receding and the Turnstone were making the most of the exposed mud.
So was a lone Black Tailed Godwit which is an unusual sight in amongst the boats here, they usually like to frequent the reserve itself, away from too close a contact with humans.
The Brent Geese bobbed around waiting to feed as the tide fell..
Sarah, Carolyne and I sat by the harbour. The Turnstone became very confiding by our feet, feeding on the discarded duck food.
Looking into the reserve from the bridge, the Little Grebe or my favourite name for these feisty little birds the 'Dabchick' were building in numbers and looked lovely in the sunlight.
I left the girls sat by the harbour as I went looking for Kingfisher. From the viewing platform I struck up a conversation with a friendly chap who was there with his wife and child.
He pointed out a Kingfisher on the opposite side and although distant still gave some wonderful views in the golden light. No matter how far, I always love trying to capture this electric blue wonder!
It hunted and sped around the reeds
I had been here quite a while and knew the girls would have given up on me. Nothing new there then!
I received a text saying they were walking back to the car. I followed reluctantly....
By now, the tide was well out. I always prefer this time...
The shapes and reflections in the silt always draw my attention and delay me even further!
A last shot across to the Isle of Wight and then home.
Another enjoyable time out regardless of missed opportunities and really good to catch up with a long lost friend. xx
N.B. The title of this post is a lyric taken from the song 'Long Time No See ya' by Cheap Trick
