Hurst Castle had some delightful visitors last week. Who doesn't smile when you see seals relaxing or at play.
Bird spotting notes by Peter, taken from Hurst Castle Website
Here are a few notes from recent visit. Winter visitors still with us; spring visitors arriving soon.
- Brent Geese – around 450-500. They will be heading back to Siberia soon.
- Canada Geese – a pair seen on the marsh; look out for nesting.
- Teal – approx. 60 (30 pairs) on Sturt Pond. The males now have pristine plumage and are very vocal with their distinctive clear ringing ‘treel’ calls. They are one of the most handsome of our wildfowl this time of year.
- When 30 or so males are all calling together, the sound carries a fair distance.
- Red breasted Merganser – a pair seen in the river.
- Great-crested Grebe – 3 seen fishing in the mouth of the river; one in full summer plumage.
- Little Egret – 4 seen across the area, possibly more in the creeks
- Grey Plover – 14 counted feeding across the marsh.
- Black-tailed Godwit – 24 counted feeding in Keyhaven Harbour at low tide.
- Dunlin – estimated between 450 – 500 feeding in the creeks across the patch.
- Mediterranean Gulls – 5 on Sturt and 1 on the marsh. Slightly larger than the Black-headed Gulls with a blood-red bill. Listen out for their distinctive call, a rising and falling note, similar to a nasal ‘yeah’.
- Special rare bird seen: a Shore Lark has been seen on the inside of Hurst Beach, south of Cut Bridge; discovered end of January; last seen 17th February. Can be easily overlooked among the shingle.
See What's On at Hurst Castle, please click here.
Hurst Castle reopens at End of March
Open: 27th March to 31st October - 10am to 5.30pm Daily.
- Adult: £6 - Concession: £5.50 - Child: (5-17 years) £4
- Family: (2 adults, 3 children) £19 - Children under 5: Free
- A Local Resident Annual Pass is available for people living locally to Hurst Castle.
For further information about your visit please call 01590 642500 or email:
info@hurstcastle.co.uk
info@hurstcastle.co.uk
Friends of Hurst Castle
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