Hook and Warsash Nature Reserve lies a little closer to home than the recent expeditions have taken me. Parking is a little limited and restricted to 2 hours during the week days, but unrestricted at the weekend.
Surprisingly warm for the last day of October, which brought out a large number of walkers, but I cannot blame them.
The tide was out to start with, which gave the waders chance of a snack.
A trio of Brent Geese were flying in close formation, I wonder if they ever have mid-air collisions?
A lone Egret was taking cover from the never ending stream of boats exiting the River Hamble.
Another outing - another Stonechat! A rather pretty bird who does not seem to mind posing for the camera.
Then another new bird for me - a Linnet. I must confess that I did require Merlin to identify it, but a passer by confirmed its identity also. Apparently there was also a Dartford Warbler just along from where I was, which I think I saw but not to snap.
Calshot lay just across the water.
A dirty snap - but I believe this to be a Meadow Pipit were Merlin had also identified as being in the area. Another new one for me!
All in all, a good morning out, and not too far away as to require a full day of it. I shall return.