- - ~- - --- ~ Birds in is a report by Southampton Wildlife Link, a body comprised of representatives from the Natural History and Conservation groups in Southampton. It was produced with the assistance of .

For further information contact: Reg Russell 7 Nightingale Grove SOUTHAMPTON 50153HQ

, Front cover: Waxwing, Valley, 1996

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J This booklet is dedicated to the memory of Pat Loxton, the secretary of Southampton Wildlife Link since its formation. She was a tireless worker for the Link, and a passionate conservationist.

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J BIRDS IN SOUTHAMPTON Finally, the vital role of suburban Recent action by the City Council gardens should not be The position of Southampton at the has resulted in the development overlooked. Gardens provide a confluence of its two rivers, and the of a series of Greenways large expanse of habitat large open spaces and wild areas within throughout the City. They are throughout the City, relatively its boundary, makes it a prime urban principally wooded valleys free of predators and with a base for the bird watcher. forming green corridors that run plentiful food supply. into the centre of the City, In addition, the proximity of the New enabling wildlife to move in Cemeteries too provide a similar Forest: the internationally important safety. service, allowing birds to nest or wildlife areas of the So lent and roost undisturbed. increases the The Central Parks provide a ornithological interest of the area. remarkable open area in the City 2. River and Estuarial Sites Centre, some species of birds The purpose of this bookJet is to show visit these parks, but the variety The Itchen, running through the the reader where birds may be found in is inconsiderable. However, industrial area of the City, still the City area, to touch on other sites other public open spaces offer a has extensive mud fiats, which adjacent to its boundaries, and to far greater variety. support wintering waders. emphasise the need to protect the Chessel Bay Local Nature remaining wildlife habitats in the City. The Sports Centre and its Reserve enables the bird watcher adjacent wood and heathland; to get close to the flocks. Other I' 1. Inland and Urban Areas Lordswood both in and without Q!£hen sl® sites will be the City boundary; Riverside Park i / discussea later. The main area of considerable interest along the Itchen and into the i~ I is the Common. This is a large area Itchen Country Park are such Upstream, above , near the City Centre of mixed woodland, areas. They support a wide the salinity decreases and the open scrub, and two interesting range of woodland birds and bird life is markedly different. I freshwater lakes producing an imposing wildfowl, with a small but regular bird list. migratory passage. At the confluence with the Test on the Woolston side is the

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I. Weston Shore. This is a much and Isle of Wight Weston Shore within the City used recreation area, and birds Wildlife Trust. Only partially boundary has been the subject of attempting to roost at high tide within the City boundary, it offers a biological report by the are much disturbed. At low tide a wide range of wetland birds, Southampton Wildlife Link, and is the exposed mud provides which can be viewed in comfort now being updated. feeding space for a wide variety from 3 hides on the west side of of birds. The winter months also the river. It is best viewed from the car produce wildfowl, Red breasted park at the northern end of the Merganser, Goldeneye, the four The Sites promenade; this gives views of Grebes and Diver species are Weston Hard shingle/mud bank regular. This section will deal with some for waders. At the southern end of the more accessible areas, of the promenade a small car The Test provides fewer and will give a brief description of park gives views of the mud ~ opportunities for the birdwatcher the birds one might see there. It banks around the freshwater being completely industrialised is by no means an exhaustive outfall and across to Hythe. ] on the Southampton bank. list, many bird watchers have However, from Totton Causeway their own patch even in the City and Goatee Beach, Eling Great Centre. Marsh can be viewed with its nationally important First the estuary sites. concentrations of winter Wigeon. Southampton Water is an I important wildlife area, the Both these river courses are subject with , of a migration routes, and Marsh proposed Special Protection ] Harrier and Osprey are among ArealRamsar site. For the the more regular sightings. purpose of this booklet the eastern shoreline from Above the busy Totton Country Park to Weston Shore is Curlew Causeway is the Lower Test of general interest. Reserve administered by the -- --.

Waders in winter are Redshank, necked, are regular as are the and shingle shore, with a small Curlew, Ringed Plover, Dunlin three Diver species, with Great reed bed, backed by a belt of and Turnstone. Black tailed Northern the most frequent. trees with a rich understorey. Godwit are regular, and more infrequent is the Bar tailed. Floating Bridge Hard, Itchen It can be entered by a footpath Bridqe from Ath lestan Road.

In Woolston go down to the The principal shore birds here riverside. In winter small groups are Redshank and Curlew as of Dunlin and other waders may regulars. Large flocks of Dunlin be seen. This area is notable for in winter, with fair numbers of a winter resident Mediterranean Ringed Plover in autumn. Gull that can be attracted with Turnstone are frequent with Black headed Gulls by scattering occasional Common Sandpiper bread. Also for periodic visits of and Grey Plover. Brent Geese Black-headed gull a Peregrine onto the roof of the are increasing in numbers and large shed in Vospers yard. can be considered as 'explorers' Brent Geese have a small flock Black Redstart has been from the Weston Shore flock. at low tide. More uncommon reported here. gulls noted among the larger numbers of Black headed are Other points' of interest are at Herring Gulls and Mediterranean, Crosshouse Hard on the west Common and more rarely the bank, and Spitfire Quay at Glaucous Gull. Woolston.

Red breasted Merganser and Chessel Bay L.N.R. Goldeneye with the occasional Common Scoter and Eider are This also has been the subject of the principal sea ducks. All five a detailed report by Southampton Heron Grebes, included the Red- Wildlife Link. It is an area of mud I .. '\ J .__' . Also along the shore Heron, Grey can be viewed from several also predominate. Some Teal Wagtail and Rock Pipit may be points in the trading estate. and Godwall also found, with found, and Reed Warbler and Moorhen in the marshy area. Sedge Warbler in the rather This is the highest point in the battered reed bed in summer. river regularly reached by Red On the estuary breasted Merganser. Red viewing from the City bank is In the wood a selection of throated and Black throated restricted. woodland and garden birds Divers, and Great crested Grebe reside with visits from Kestrel and have been recorded. A Velvet Lower Test Reserve (H & I.O.W Sparrowhawk. Scoter has also been seen from Wildlife Trust) the bridge. Dunlin and other waders are present in winter, with A very large area of wet grazing, the occasional Kingfisher. reed beds and tidal mud. It can be viewed from the old This area can also be viewed Redbridge below the main A35. from Vespasian Road and Manor where wintering There are 3 hides facing artificial Common Sandpiper occur. scrapes that can be reached by 1 walking along Salterns Road in Cobden Bridge to Woodmill Totton, northwards. The path Kestrel (Riverside Park) continues via a board walk to the ~ trading estate and Here the river is embanked, with returns to Totton via Test Lane. one small area of marsh on the The easiest (and quietest) place side. A very wide range of birds have to view the mudflats and the river been recorded here, Wigeon is from the small Industrial Estate Birds found here are primarily dominate, with large numbers of on the side. Turn Black-headed Gulls, a large Teal, Shelduck and other wildfowl left at the traffic lights after loafing flock of up to 600 in mid- including a resident flock of crossing the bridge. The water winter, Mallard and Mute Swan Canada Geese. I

is thought to have bred, stronghold in late In the scrapes Green Sandpiper, summer/autumn for the Yellow Wood Sandpiper, and Little Access is open, but do not leave legged Gulls, and other sub- Ringed Plover are regular in the paths or board walks, it can species of Herring Gull have spring/autumn. Kingfishers are be dangerous. been reported. Cormorants roost common in the scrapes, this is on one of the electricity pylons, the best place in Southampton Eling Great Marsh and Goatee unless they are ousted by up to area for Kingfisher. Beach three Peregrines contesting the observation point. The reserve is a Hampshire Eling Marsh can be viewed from stronghold for two uncommon the Totton Causeway on the Rarer migrants have been White birds; Cetti's Warbler, and in main A35, but be careful the rumped Sandpiper, Temminck's . winter Water Pipit. It also holds traffic is fast and furious. The Stint, White winged Black Tern, very large numbers of Reed Marsh is being rapidly eroded Glaucous and Mediterranean Warbler and Sedge Warbler. because of recent dredging work Gulls. In cold winters, Smew, lcterine Warbler has been for the Port. Goosander, Scaup and Divers recorded on migration. have been recorded. Goatee Beach oversees the Migration can produce almost remainder of the Marsh; access One other site on the Test not to anything, Warblers of rnanv by a track alongside the river be overlooked in winter is species abound in autumn as do from the Eling Mill car park. Mayflower Park. Giving views of Flycatchers, Chats and waders. the river and the opposite bank Yearly Little Egret, Osprey, The Marsh and the Lower Test down to Dibden Bay a number of Marsh Harrier occur. Spotted reserve form a single ecological species such as Red breasted Crake, Red backed Shrike and unit. Wigeon, Teal, Curlew and Merganser, Guillemot, Razorbill Black Kite are among others Dunlin dominate. In recent years and Diver species are not recorded. a small flock of Brent Geese has uncommon. wintered, and there has been a Lapwing and Redshank breed in marked increase in Shelduck The inland sites in Southampton, small numbers, and Bearded Tit numbers. The Marsh is a both large and small can shelter

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many species. Even the smallest hold Goldcrest, and Coal Tit, and Information about birds on the piece of 'wasteland' will have its Firecrest has been reported. Common can be obtained from wildlife. Backland behind the Hawthorns Wildlife Centre in gardens, empty lots between The Cemetery Lake has a the south-east corner of the houses will all support some wildfowl collection, these are Common, off Cemetery Road. wildlife, and birds such as joined by wild birds in winter. Blackbird, Blue Tits, Goldfinch Tufted Duck, Pochard and The Greenways, recently and Greenfinch can survive. Shoveler are common. Moorhen established and maintained as The largest of the open spaces and Coot are numerous. Even a wild walks by the City Council are containing a range of habitat is Mediterranean Gull was present of interest for woodland birds. . one winter. There are seven of them in every Mainly deciduous woodland The Old Cemetery nearby is a part of the City. Details of their which supports a wide range of particularly good place for good position and access to them are species, all three Woodpeckers, views of Woodpeckers, Nuthatch published by the Council in a Treecreeper, Nuthatch and other and the different members of the series of leaflets. They can be common species. In spring and Tit family, Coal Tit and Marsh Tit obtained from Libraries, or the summer Willow Warbler, being the more scarce. Environment Centre in Castle Chiffchaff Garden Warbler, and a Street. few Sedge and Reed Warblers in suitable areas can be found. The Lordsdale/Lordswood Greenway runs from Dale Road The open gorse areas, to Shirley Pond, and up the 1· particularly around th~ Tanners Brook Valley into the J~ Ornamental Lake, hold Linnet, part of Lordswood within the City Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch boundary. Here 56 species have and some Redpoll. been recorded; the three ] Woodpeckers, Garden, Wood, The coniferous areas in the Great Tit and Willow Warblers, Redstart northern end of the Common and for two winters running a Dipper in Tanner's Brook behind can be of interest: try the quieter School playgrounds are unlikely Sandpiper Road. areas in East Park from the habitats, but many will remember Titanic Memorial. Look from the the 38 Waxwings feeding on The other Greenways can park to the Civic Centre clock berries at Bevois Town Primary produce similar lists, being more tower you might see the semi- School. Redwing and Fieldfare or less of similar habitat. They resident Peregrines there. will come into any small open are all worthy of close attention, space in hard winters. and reports of findings would be The public open space Wood mill of great interest. to and into Gardens Mansbridge Reservoir can be Where open spaces near good for waterside birds, Grey Most open space in the City is in Greenways are present they too Wagtail, Reed Bunting and 'wet private gardens. The trees and can be interesting. Allotments, warblers' abound. On the river shrubs in gardens provide cover like Muddy Bottom and Tanner's Smew has been recorded, and a and corridors for wildlife to move Brook. In cold spells flocks of juvenile Night Heron in the freely. The popularity of feeding Redwing, Fieldfare, and once 20 willows on the bank. birds in winter is an obvious Skylark were noted feeding attraction for Sparrows, among the crops. Green, principally Blackbirds and the Tit family. known for its botanical interest is Gardens now provide a Other sites of particular interest another area to watch. stronghold for the rapidly within or across the City declining Song Thrush. boundary are Westwood, the Even the recreation grounds, Sports Centre and adjoining such as the Veracity Ground, Naturally the more open woodland, and the long Millbrook School playing field, suburban gardens with access to Greenway from Weston Point. and the Civil Service sports open country, can produce the Jurd's Lake, Mayfield Park to ground in Shirley hold roosting greater number of species. Weston Common. flocks of gulls, including Herring and the less numerous Common A garden in within the Even the Central Parks, for all Gull in winter. City was regularly visited by up to the heavy human traffic in them, 36 Brambling in the winter of 1 I

1 1998. Also Blackcap, Siskin, Sparrowhawk and Little Egret at the M271 Junction to Nursling Goldcrest, the three among them. Buzzards are seen Mill on to the new reservoirs, one Woodpeckers were regular. A more frequently over the past shortly to be managed by the Pied Flycatcher has been decade. Flocks of waders, Hampshire Wildlife Trust. recorded. wildfowl, and Redwing are seen Perhaps walk the Test Way from or heard in winter. Nursling Church to Lee. A garden in Bitterne has a count Woodland birds, warblers and of 42 species including Buzzard, Two remarkable records: 3 Ring wildfowl abound. Rose ringed Parakeet, and Ouzels in the rear of French Woodcock! In inner City Street, and an American Yellow On the eastern side Itchen , over a period of 25 billed Cuckoo found dead in Country Park has similar habitat, years, 61 species have been Woolston. perhaps more accessible. The recorded from one garden, Around the City Royal Victoria Country Park including Black Redstart, Pied overlooking Southampton Water Flycatcher and Firecrest. There are very many prime sites affords views of Great crested for the birdwatcher just over our Grebe, Divers, Red-breasted boundary. Merganser, even Goosander in winter. The New Forest is of international importance as a vast wildlife area famed for its populations of Hobby, Dartford Warbler, Hawfinch and Crossbill. Many varieties such as Great grey Shrike, and Red-footed Blackcap " Falcon are frequent.

In this area and nearby Regents The upper reaches of the Test up Park birds frequently overfly the to Nursling are worthy of close Great crested grebe urban area, Hobby, Peregrine, scrutiny. Try the walk from B&Q 1 Fuller details of sites around Southampton can be found in I 'Where to Watch Birds in Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight' 1 Martin Cade and George Green.

References

Greenway Leaflets: Southampton City Council

Reports on the Ecology of Important Sites: Weston Shore ) Lordswood ) Chessel Bay L.N.R. ) The Southampton Wildlife Link I The Estuary of the Itchen ) ) I Major Southampton Pond~ \ Birds of the Solent 1992: Joint Nature Conservation Committee 1 Annual Hampshire Bird Reports: * Hampshire Ornithological Society

,I j SOUTHAMPTON BIRD CHECK LIST

Red throated Diver Gavia stellata Winter visitor

Black throated Diver Gavia artica Scarce winter visitor

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Winter visitor, increasing numbers (?)

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Resident, winter visitor on estuary

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Winter visitor on estuary

Red necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Scarce winter visitor

Siavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus Scarce winter visitor

Black necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Rare winter visitor

European Storm Petrol Hydrobates pelagicus Storm blown vagrant

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Common resident on estuary

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Scarce visitor

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax One only Wood mill

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Increasing visitor

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Common resident and visitor

Mute Swan Cygnus olor Common resident, non-breeding birds in estuary

White fronted Goose Anser albifrons Uncommon winter visitor I ,J Shoveler Anas clypeata Fairly common, some resident

Pochard Aythya ferina Winter visitor on fresh water

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Winter visitor on fresh water

Greater Scaup Aythya marila Scarce winter visitor

Common Eider Sornateria mollissima Regular winter visitor I' -'; Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Scarce winter visitor l' Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca Vagrant 1 Northam Bridge Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Regular winter visitor

Smew Mergellus albellus Scarce winter visitor

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Regular winter visitor, in small numbers

Goosander Mergus merganser Uncommon winter visitor

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Passage migrant

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Frequent in suburban areas

Buzzard Buteo buteo Seen frequently soaring

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Scarce passage migrant

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Common, perhaps declining

Merlin Falco columbarius Vagrant . Hobby Falco subbuteo Scarce on passage

Pereqrine Falco peregrinus Regular in winter even in inner city

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Very scarce

J,. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Common on fresh water

Coot Fulica atra Common, increased numbers in winter

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Common resident on estuary

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Vagrant, on migration

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Passage migrant, has bred Lower Test

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Fairly common, Weston Shore

Grey Plover Pluvialis squaturola Fairly common winter visitor

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Infrequent summer, widespread in winter J Knot Calidris canutus Uncommon winter visitor Sanderling Calidris alba Rare, recorded Weston Shore

Little Stint Calidris minuta Uncommon passage migrant

Curlew Sandpiper· Calidris ferruginea Scarce passage migrant

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima Rare, recorded Weston Shore

Dunlin Calidris alpina Abundant winter visitor

Ruff Philomachus pugnax Scarce in winter 1 Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Uncommon, most in Lower Test Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Frequent, but declining . Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Vaqrant in City area

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Common winter visitor

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Scarce

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Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Frequent on passage

Curlew Numenius arquata Common resident, and winter visitor

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Scarce on passage

Common Redshank Tringa totanus Very common in winter, has bred

Greenshank Tringa nebularia Scarce on passage

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Passage migrant, has wintered

Turnstone Arenaria interpres Fairly common Weston Shore

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Resident/winter visitor in small numbers

Little Gull Larus minutus Scarce/rare in winter

Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1 Mayflower Park 1987

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Abundant

Common Gull Larus canus Fairly common in winter

Lesser black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Fairly common, some winter

Herring Gull Larus argentatus Scarce in summer, more in winter. Has bred in

city centre

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus Very rare

Great black-backed Gull Larus marinus Common

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Smail numbers fishing in summer

Common Tern Sterna hirundo Common in summer, and autumn migration

I J Little Tern Sterna albifrons Scarce

Black Tern Chlidonias niger Rare on passage

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopteris Vagrant

Guillemot Uria aalge Winter visitor in small numbers

Razorbill Alca torda Uncommon winter visitor

Stock Dove Columba oenas Small numbers in Central Parks

Feral Pigeon Columba livia Abundant

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Increasing resident

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Abundant

Rose ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Seen in Bitterne

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Now rare in urban area

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus 1 corpse Woolston

Barn Owl Tyto alba ?

Tawny Owl Strix aluco Declining in suburban and urban area

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus ?

Common Swift Apus apus Common summer visitor

Kingfisher Alcedo althis Moderately common resident

Wryneck Jynx torquilla Vag~ant, seen in Western Docks

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Common visitor to gardens

Great spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Visitor to gardens I Lesser spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Uncommon garden visitor

I Sky Lark Alauda arvensis Visits allotments in cold weather

Sand Martin Riparia riparia Increasing along rivers

I Swallow Hirundo rustica Along river banks (e.g. Woodmilll I House Martin Delichon urbica Probably decreasing Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Summer visitor to open woodland

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Common

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Fairly common e.g. Weston Shore

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Uncommon migrant

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Frequent in fresh water streams

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Common, even in urban areas

Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Occasional irruptions

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Abundant

Dunnock Prunella modularis Abundant

Robin Erithacus rubecula Abundant

Black Restart Phoenicurus ochuros Annual in winter in small numbers

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Southampton Docks in 1983 . Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe On passaqe

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Rare on passage

Blackbird Turdus merula Abundant Fieldfare Turdus pilarus Scarce in colder winters

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Common in suburban areas

Redwing T"'f Y" J::'Siliacus Fairly common in cold winters T d .. Mistle Thrust L1~ ur us vrscivorus Common

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Summer visitor to reed beds

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Summer visitor small numbers

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Summer visitor to scrubby areas

Whitethroat Sylvia communis Common summer visitor to scrubby areas

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Scarce summer visitor to woods

Blackcap Sylvia atricapella Summer visitor, and to bird tables in winter

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Scarce summer visitor

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Common summer visitor, some winter

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Common summer visitor

Goldcrest Regulus regulus More frequent in winter

Firecrest Regulus ignicapellus Scarce winter visitor

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa 'striata A declining visitor

Pied Flycatcher Muscicapa hypoleuca Has occurred on migration

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus A fairly common resident

Marsh Tit Parus palustris Mainly in winter with other Tits

Coal Tit parus~ As above I 4--tr:_y

1 Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Abundant resident

Great Tit Parus major Abundant resident

Nuthatch Sitta europaea Will visit bird tables in suburbs

Treecreeper Certha familiaris Infrequent visitor to bird tables

Jay Garrulus glandarius Increasing in numbers

Magpie Pica pica Abundant

Jackdaw Corvus monedula Fairly frequent

Rook - Corvus frugilegus Common in open areas (allotments)

Carrion Crow Corvus corone Common

Starling Sturnus vulgaris Abundant

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Abundant, thought to be declining

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Scarce, rapidly declining

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Uncommon, with Chaffinch in winter

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Very common

1 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Common

Siskin Carduelis spinus Winter visitor to bid tables

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Fairly common . 1 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Scarce Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Fairly common in suitable habitat 1 1 J Also Southampton has had frequent ship borne vagrants from America. The most recent being a Grey Catbird off the QEII.

Others have been Northern Parula, Blackpoll Warbler, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, all on liners from U.S.A.

This list does not include birds frequenting Lower Test Nature Reserve,0r)comprehensively Southampton Common. The river estuaries and birds seen from Weston Shore are included. "\ nct

References:

The Birds of Hampshire HOS 1993 The Hampshire Bird Reports HOS Annually Members of Southampton and District Bird Club Personal lists from fellow ornithologists, to whom many thanks

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