Check out SDOS chair, Jenny Holter’s summary of what was a fantastic trip to Thorney Island this week…

23 members assembled at Thorney Island today, including several for whom this was their first S.D.O.S. event. So it was a little disappointing after weeks of dry weather to start our walk in the rain!

We set out along the east side of the island, not lingering due to the weather, passing plenty of tempting elder berries and tasty blackberries, but no birds feeding in the wet conditions. Arriving at the Thorney Channel, we looked out over an expanse of mud, which I had hoped would be full of birds. It was not! We wandered along the track in dismal light, but gradually the rain eased and it began to brighten, and we began to find some birds. Redshanks fed on the mud close to the channel, with a number of Curlew, with their top-heavy bills a little closer to us. A Whimbrel was here too, noticeably smaller and with a shorter and less curved bill, and the red bills of several Oystercatchers stood out in the gloomy conditions. In the channel Little Egrets strutted and a Great-crested Grebe dived for fish. A continuous stream of Sand Martins passed purposefully through, flying low over the glistening mud.

In the Deep were three Little Grebes and a pair of dabbling Gadwall together with a number of Coot. A Grey Heron posed motionless on a post. A Common Sandpiper flew in and bobbed by a bend in the deep, and on the marshy fields sat several Lapwings. Several large Cormorants and Crows caught our attention on the distant fenceline, and in the process of checking these we spotted a large brown huddled lump with a white head – Osprey! Not the best of views, but it soon moved, flying just a short distance, where it became much clearer. Everyone was delighted, and after taking turns to view through the scopes, we retraced out steps to the cars or the coffee shop for a spot of lunch, noting a pair of Common Whitethroats on the way.

Next we set out towards the west side. A tree full of white birds looked initially like Little Egrets with a single Cattle Egret. But Bernie soon corrected us, and this was in fact largely a tree full of Cattle Egrets. The juveniles had fooled us with their black bills and lack of peach plumage, but on closer inspection, the hunched stance and fluffy heads revealed their true identity.

At the Emsworth channel we added Greenshank, Turnstone and Black-tailed Godwit to our tally of waders, with some seeing a distant Ringed Plover too. On the lower path beside the ditches a family of Stonechats and Meadow Pipits were present, and at the corner of the Great Deep, around the feet of the cattle, a number of Yellow Wagtails were busy foraging.

With an ominously black cloud approaching, most of the group decided to head back to the cars. Finally we spotted a Marsh Harrier which appeared above the trees then flew across the reed beds. A Kestrel and Buzzard were the other raptors seen.

Our final tally for the trip was 48 species, including some heard only. Considering the dreadful start that was probably a reasonable result, with several common birds such as Linnet and Goldfinch missed, and surprisingly no Grey Plover, Dunlin or terns found.

Despite the rain everyone remained cheerful and enjoyed the trip. It was a new location for many, and several are keen to return. Thanks to all for sharing their sightings, scopes and expertise, and for everyone’s friendliness and enthusiasm, making for a rewarding day out. Please keep an eye out for photos shared by some attendees.