Fifteen members assembled at the sailing club in brilliant sun. We first scanned the Solent and found four Eiders offshore while along the tideline were numerous Sanderlings scurrying around near some Ringed Plovers. A Red-throated Diver flew west. Several Brent Geese and a surprising number of Gadwall were on the sea while the perched gull flock included a dozen Mediterranean Gulls, two Common and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Passing the harbour en route to the visitors’ centre we saw sixty or more Turnstones crowding the diminishing mud with some on the pavement only a few feet from us.

Starting along the path on the east side of the reserve we passed feeders and caused two Jays to flee while a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock remained in sight. A little further on we reached the point where we hoped to find a Tawny Owl. Despite a local volunteer pointing out precisely where it was roosting it remained invisible among the ivy to all but one fortunate member who caught a glimpse of it. Meanwhile birdsong was our constant companion including from Chiffchaffs, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Robins and Wrens. Before we reached the Meadow and Knights Bank hides a Grey Wagtail briefly appeared. From the hides a fair array of birds could be seen. A couple each of Curlews and Lapwings and small flocks of Canada and Greylag Geese shared the grass with some Highland Cattle. On the water were some Mute Swans and a variety of ducks including Shelducks, Shovelers and Tufted Ducks. Cormorants were perched on fences as was a female Stonechat. Marsh Harriers were repeatedly seen reaching four in number at one point.

After a sandwich lunch by the sea during which the loss of the cafe was lamented we headed for the east sider of the reserve. The water on the scrapes was high but over a dozen each of Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits were foraging as they waded. On the banks about forty Oystercatchers were roosting in the company of a similar number of Wigeon. Numerous Teal swam around while the islands were being monopolised by Black-headed Gulls preparing for the breeding season. Eventually two Snipe emerged and were joined by a Redshank. The north part of the reserve was thinly populated but we enjoyed a flypast from a Marsh Harrier and added a Buzzard and a Kestrel to our raptor sightings. The walk back was enlivened by a young Red Fox that had not yet learned caution and offered prolonged views of its shining coat. The final sighting was on the sea, a distant pair of Common Scoter. An enjoyable walk in lovely spring sunshine produced an excellent list of 61 species.