After the heavy rain overnight I opted to visit Hook with Warsash this morning to see if I could find any migrants.  The first sighting worthy of note was three very wary summer plumaged Grey Plover on the exposed mud inshore of Hook Spit.  Other waders present on the mud were Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and two Whimbrel.  In addition, a single Common Sandpiper, two Lapwing and a Teal were on the Hide Scrape. 

   I found Links Scrape to be very quiet.  Species present included Teal, Gadwall, Sandwich Tern (adult and juvenile on posts) and a second Common Sandpiper. 

   Unfortunately I was unable to find any migrants on route to Beam Cottage, however, a distant Little Owl was present in the line of oaks opposite the property.  The footpath North of Workman's Lane though did provide me with two autumn migrant Wheatear and in scrub near Hook Farm Cottages I also spotted two Sedge Warbler. 

Wheatear, North of Workman's Lane, Hook with Warsash - 6 Aug 09

Wheatear, North of Workman's Lane, Hook with Warsash - 6 Aug 09

   After an afternoon in the garden I headed for Farlington Marshes to try for the Spotted Crake that had been reported there at 'The Lake' for the last three days.  I arrived to find persistent rain and thankfully I had gone prepared with wellies, fleece, waterproof coat and a large umbrella.  For the hour I was there with a chap called Ashley for company it was hard to believe that it was actually August! 

   I had to wait approximately forty minutes in the continuous rain as the water level within the lake fell for the Spotted Crake to show but it was well worth it.  I spotted the bird at 1815 at the eastern end of 'The Lake'.  Directly infront of the main reed bed there are two very small isolated clumps of reed and the bird first appeared beside the left hand of the two clumps of reed.  The bird then dashed to the right and disappeared behind the right hand clump of reed.  A little later it reappeared and run around the small island of reed before leaping with flapping wings in to the centre of it with the white leading edge of the wings clearly visible.  It then re-emerged and for no apparent reason it again did a lap of the island before jumping back in to its centre.  When the bird next came back out it wandered towards the main reed bed and disappeared in to it.  

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)