This month the Archway birders headed down to Keyhaven, for a walk along the Solent shoreline starting from the Milford Conservation Volunteers’ hide. Although a cool 9 degrees, there were blue skies overhead and little breeze. We spent the first half an hour at the hide looking out over Avon Water where we had perfect viewing conditions for spotting grey wagtail, water pipit, kingfisher, marsh harrier and a host of black-tailed godwits. Scooting along the Ancient Highway footpath we soon reached the backs of the lagoons. We debated over an elusive small bird showing somewhat pink in colour against the light. Was it a linnet?

Arriving at the coast by ‘the jetty’ we took a break in the sunshine for coffee and provisions. The sun was warm, and life was good. We enjoyed watching turnstones pecking at the seaweed and flocks of dunlin wheeling back and forth low over the mudflats, the sun reflecting off their backs.

The best was yet to come as we scanned the lagoons. Andrew spotted an unusual looking species diving close to the bank and called it as long-tailed duck. After much excitement, consulting bird guides and viewing its interesting facial plumage, we decided it was a female and so were able to add a less usual species to our year lists!

We realised that we had achieved a group record. Fifty-eight species! Not bad for a morning’s work.