Itchen Birds
Special Birds of the Itchen River
What to look for month by month
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What to look for month by month
The best times to look for the best birds |
January
During frosty weather when open water is frozen numbers of wildfowl and other water birds will increase as birds look for food on moving water such as the Itchen River. Look out for Wigeon, Teal and Snipe amongst others. Teal prefer areas where trees provide cover to streams and pools.
Over wintering Chiffchaffs may be seen in waterside locations on sunny days flitting around catching the few insects that are active. Chickenhall Sewage Farm, Eastleigh is one of the best locations anywhere to find them at this time of year. Wrens also find insect food along the damp margins the river can offer. Over wintering Blackcaps may be found although most records come from gardens. Goldfinch and Chaffinch flocks may reach triple figures; look for more unusual finches with them such as Brambling.
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February
 Try to catch up with more unusual birds such as Water Rail (picture right) and Jack Snipe this month as they will soon become even scarcer. Siskin and Redpolls are active in small numbers along the riverbank, Alder trees being good places to look. |
March
Early spring migrants begin to arrive, the Chiffchaff and Sand Martin amongst the earliest. Chiffchaff song once learnt is easy to remember as they sing their name. With a little luck Wheatears may be seen in small numbers as passage migrants. Smart upright birds with distinctive white rumps in flight, usually seen on fields with short or little vegetation. |
April
 The month when summer visitors really start to arrive. Sedge Warblers suddenly occupy reed beds, Common (picture left, Colin Bates) and Lesser Whitethroats move into scrubby areas. House Martins and Swallows join the earlier Sand Martins forming groups dozens or even hundred strong enjoying the rich insect life of the Itchen.
The cuckoo may be heard from mid month although first dates appear to be getting later, increasing scarcity being more likely than changing habits.
Common Sandpipers move upriver in ones, twos or threes en route to breeding grounds elsewhere, these small waders betray their identity along the muddy margins with their unique bobbing movement on the ground.
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May
 Later summer visitors such as Swift, Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatchers arrive. On a good Mayfly hatch day look out for Hobbies catching these insects in their feet (picture, Simon Woolley) and passing them to their beak whilst still in flight. |
June
 Bird activity is starting to settle down as first broods are raised. Sharp eyes may find a Peregrine using a pylon from which to hunt Pigeon and Doves. An occasional Common Sandpiper (picture right) may be seen heading back down river towards the end of the month. |
July
 Picture - Colin Bates
Reed Warblers delay nesting until now when the reeds that support nests are well grown. Swifts and Cuckoos will begin to leave towards the end of the month. |
August
 From mid-month occasional Whinchat (picture left) provide the best opportunity to see this bird. Late August sees a peak in Common Sandpiper movement downriver. |
September
 Summer migrants busy preparing themselves for the long journey south. Hardly a fisherman’s friend, the Cormorant begins to move back to inland waters. High pylons often providing favourable perches or places to dry their wings in the sun after fishing(picture right, by Colin Bates). |
October
 House Martins often try to raise a third brood only to leave the fledglings in the nest as the urge to migrate becomes too strong. Late in the month the winter thrushes Fieldfare (picture by Andy Bright right) and Redwing begin to arrive to strip the ripe berries from the hedgerows. |
November
 | Picture by Michel Rogg
Stonechats begin to arrive in the river valley; they can be seen in groups of six or more before settling into wintering areas in pairs. Little Egrets are being seen more regularly with ever increasing numbers frequenting the Itchen. |
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December
An occasional Tufted Duck or two may prefer the river to the more usual pond or lake often staying in the same location all winter. Even more occasional, a Green Sandpiper may settle into a quiet stretch of river for the winter. Look out for Little Egrets flying to roost at dusk. Jackdaw flocks sometimes thousands strong head off to roost calling noisily and playing like children going to school as they make for their nighttime roosts |
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