Itchen Birds
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St. Cross - Winchester
 | The Water Meadows in this part of Winchester provide a pleasant place for a family outing at weekends but in quiet times such as early mornings they are a haven for birds and other wild life.
To explore the area I suggest you park in Garnier Road (SU479 283) in the lay-by on the south side of the road as you leave Kingsgate St. Walk a few metres East to the footpath signposted Clarendon Way to Hospital of St. Cross. The footpath passes between a branch of the Itchen on its left and a small stream on its right. This is an excellent site for Water rail, which can be glimpsed in the rough vegetation bordering the stream (very close views) and Water Voles, which nest there. The Voles are very active in early spring and can be seen gnawing bark and carrying nesting material and do not seem to be particularly worried by observers.
As you walk on, the River bears away to the left and Mute swans, mallard, coot and moorhens are common. The small area of woodland and scrub hold the usual species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Tits, Goldcrests and Thrushes, and Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler in Summer. The footpath follows the stream passing a small wooden bridge to Cripstead Lane on which a Kingfisher sometimes sits. Next there are allotments on the other side of the water, with a good selection of finches and a small colony of house sparrows breeding in the houses bordering the lane.
The footpath then crosses open meadows past the ancient Hospital of St. Cross complex. This is a good site for grey and pied wagtails flying across, Kingfisher making a quick dash from one stream to another, green and great spotted woodpeckers, redwings and fieldfares in season in the tall trees and nowadays Little Egrets in ones and twos. The river on the left holds Grey Heron, Little Grebe, plus Sedge Warblers in the summer.
The path passes a farm and then ends at what used to be Five Bridges Road but is now just a track. Turn left here and follow this path with bridges over several strands of the Itchen. This is another good place for spotting Kingfisher and Little Egret. The fields hold Mute Swans, Canada Geese and occasional Greylags plus corvids, and sometimes a cormorant or two on the river.
You soon reach access to the M3 and turn left along a footpath that follows the Itchen Navigation, back to Garnier Road, with St. Catherine’s Hill on the right. Kestrels are abundant on the Hill with occasional stonechat and passage migrants, but it is chiefly known for the chalk and limestone loving plants that grow here and the butterflies, especially the Chalk Hill Blues. The trees along the footpath hold large numbers of long tailed tits and in summer swallows, house and sand martins use the Itchen Navigation as it widens out.
On reaching Garnier Road turn left and immediately right along a footpath on the West side of the Itchen Navigation. Very soon there is a footpath through Winchester College Nature Reserve, which is open to the public. Follow this through scrub and woodland to the River again. Here there is a gate on the Right, with a sign saying RESTRICTED ACCESS but again the public are allowed entry. There is then a circular walk around marsh and scrub with reed buntings, sedge and reed warblers, water rail, mallard, occasional gadwall, moorhens and coots. This is a good area in summer for Dragonflies and Damselflies.
Having competed the short circuit return along the Itchen bank through the College playing fields to Garnier Rd.
This whole walk is about 4km. but small sections of it can easily be walked if you are short of time – but you may need wellies for some of it!
Article contributed by Judith Chawner. |
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Bishopstoke
 | This walk of approx. four miles follows both the river and the Itchen Navigation path upriver from Bishopstoke to Allbrook and Highbridge and then returning through water meadows and broad leafed woodland. I have generally presumed the reader is familiar with the seasonal variations of bird life.
A good start point is the recreation ground car park on the B3037 at SU4619. Take the nearby footpath and head upriver along what the locals call the Barge path or simply "The Barge". This spot is a good place to find Grey Wagtails which nest and feed amongst the masonry edges, a trend that continues on all parts of the river. If you are keeping a list scan the playing field for Gulls, Pied Wagtails, Mistle Thrushes and Corvids to get you off to a good start. This walk should yield forty or so species on a spring or summer walk, around thirty in winter. Listen for the commoner warblers such as Chiffchaff and Blackcap as you walk. Sharp eyes may catch the blue flash of a Kingfisher, or possibly one perching on an overhanging branch before you undoubtedly put it to flight. Moorhens pad around the river edge at every stretch. Coots have virtually disappeared here in what appears to be just a local trend. Little Grebes also appear to have declined recently but are still present. Martins, Swallows and Swifts find rich feeding on the insects that abound on the river. As you leave the playing fields behind the once landscaped grounds of the Mount House begin on the opposite riverbank. Some of the old features such as the ornamental fishpond can still be seen amongst the now overgrown woodland. Listen for Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers as well as Nuthatches from here. After a short while with the ruins of Breach farm away to your right the river forks, look for nesting swans amongst the reeds where the river divides. Unfortunately, the right fork is inaccessible, but from likely vantage points passage migrants such as Common & Green Sandpipers, Whinchats & Wheatears can occasionally be seen.
The left fork is part of the Itchen Navigation where cargo was once transported by water from Winchester to Southampton. As you cross the first bridge the remains of Withymead Lock can still be seen, the small stream on the west side was a bypass channel used to help control water within the lock gates.
The riverbank holds good numbers of Sedge Warblers, more easily heard than seen though a little patience may be rewarded with views of them sidling up the reed stems. Spotted Flycatchers launch themselves from the upper branches overhanging the river, invariably returning to the same perch. Shortly before reaching the railway bridge the main river to your right veers away, for some reason this spot is favoured by one or two Tufted Duck during the winter months. The bridge itself holds roosting Daubenton's bats within its crevices, despite the frequent rumblings of trains on the main Waterloo line! On emerging from under the bridge the riverside path continues between a marshy field and houses to the left. In winter months the garden feeders attract many small birds, good numbers of tits, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Collared Doves and House Sparrows can be found along with Siskins, Reed Buntings and occasional Redpoll. The field itself hold good numbers of Common Snipe and occasional Jack Snipe in Winter . Keep an eye on the tops of the pylons for Cormorants, safe for now from the river keepers shotgun. Before long you reach a second railway arch, on emerging scan the water meadows to your right. Again access is not possible here, Grey Herons are common along the margins, with frequent Buzzards and Little Egret possible during the winter months. Winter thrushes can be found in deceptively good numbers with a little ground searching. This area has been subject to recent water meadow restoration work, which is currently ongoing. On reaching the road (B3305) cross to the other side leaving the Itchen Navigation behind. Continue along the road until you rejoin the River Itchen, this time to follow it downstream. Immediately before reaching the white railings there is a gate to the left marked private. I am told by the river keeper the field beyond holds Grasshopper Warblers although I've yet to find one. Apparently a 5.30 a.m. visit yields the best results! Had the suggested hour not been so early one may have thought the reels of the anglers that employ him had misled him.
After crossing the river turn immediately right and onto the footpath between the river and the houses of Wardle Road to the left. This short stretch has produced short staying visitors including Snipe, Mandarin Duck, Teal, Pochard, Grey Lag Goose and a Black Swan ! Continue until you cross a stile and follow the river as it bears to the right, then approach the gate where a sign proudly declares "Nature Conservation Area", a measure more designed to assure exclusivity to anglers than wildlife. From this gate however view the reed bed opposite, this is an excellent site for Reed and Sedge Warblers as well as Reed Buntings and a sizeable Pied Wagtail roost. Little Grebe nest here, and winter Water Rail have also been seen. Continue through the water meadows, both Lesser and Common Whitethroat nest here, listen for the aptly named Yaffle as well as its Great Spotted cousin. Sparrowhawks frequent Lordswood over to your left. As you pass through a wide gap in the hedge by a large ash scan around this field for Little Owls, always there but not always easy to find. Shortly before the pylon cross a small bridge, the river in this area may reward you with Goosander, Little Egret, Redshank, Curlew, Hobby, Stonechat, Green and Common Sandpipers - season permitting. I once saw eleven Yellow Wagtails together here, the males in their splendid spring plumage as bright as canaries. Roe deer are common here, although the Water Vole appears to have now gone mirroring a national trend. This area is well known to the locals as 'The Lloyd' although you will not find this on any map. The origins of the name are unclear although my mother-in-law insists it is a corruption of 'The Lide' which itself is a corruption of lido as this was and is a popular place to swim. Continue until you reach a small wooden bridge, a steep climb with many steps await you. Although it is possible to explore this small copse for badger setts, deer and woodland birds (Pied Flycatcher once seen here) you must however stay within its confines, follow the footpath until you reach Church Road.
Turn right and up to the brow, it is all downhill from here. At the sign for Bishopstoke Day Services you can survey the Itchen Valley and mentally retrace your footsteps. Continue downhill until you reach the small recreation ground and turn right at Mellor House into Oakbank Road and onto the footpath, this will take you back to the river and car park. Colin Bates |
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Itchen Valley Country Park
 | The Itchen Valley Country Park is owned and managed by Eastleigh Borough Council and benefits by having facilities such as organized activities; children play areas, visitor centre, gift shop, café, picnic and BBQ facilities etc.
There are way-marked woodland and meadow trails to explore within the parks 440 acres.
From here you can walk the Itchen Way upriver looking for typical Itchen birds such as Grey Wagtail, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Heron, Snipe etc. as well as the more common river birds. Flocks of Golden Plover may be present in winter (they are seen regularly at nearby Eastleigh Airport and Wide Lane playing fields). A juvenile Night Heron was present here early in 1993.
Access from (SU462162) Allington Lane, West End a short distance from junction 5 of the M27.
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The Itchen below the M27
 | Vospers through the Itchen Bridge.
Picture by Colin Bates
Article contributed by Ian Watts.
BIRDING SITES SOUTH OF THE M27
I have divided this area into 6 zones and have given named and map reference sites for parking.
1. M27 to Mansbridge (SU455157 to SU447156.
Parking at Swaythling Reservoir (SU448158)
This is the southern end of the Itchen C.P. and is a mixture of grazed rough water meadow, reed fringed river and alder stands. Mixed bushes and trees have been planted to mask the M27. Swaythling Reservoir is a large shallow pond with abundant mixed bush and tree cover surrounding it.
Water Rail has been seen here and Cetti’s heard as well as Redpoll and Kingfisher.
2. Mansbridge to Woodmill (SU441154)
Parking at St. Mary’s church, Wessex lane (for Monks Brook—SU440156) and Woodmill lane (SU442152).
The river course is managed here up to a weir gate at Woodmill. This is beautifully clear water and Monks brook joins here. The old fish pond which once held a night heron is now part of the Council run activity centre and the river banks which once held regularly spaced Sedge Warblers now holds none. The area of mixed woodland around Monks brook is still worth a look and holds all 3 woodpeckers.
3. Woodmill to Cobden Bridge (SU437141).
Parking at Woodmill lane, Manor farm road (SU442149) and 2 sites off of this road at River View (SU436146) and (SU436145) behind the social club.
Here the river becomes tidal. There is a small reedbed, playing fields and well vegetated banks on both sides of the river. There is a sewage works on the east bank where Kingfisher can be seen on the docking ropes. There is a resident flock of Mute Swans, which is usually 50+, but the only waders are usually Redshank, Snipe and Common Sandpiper. Good flocks of Pied Wagtail can be found in the winter on the playing fields along with occasional Linnet and Goldfinch flocks.
4. Cobden Bridge to Northam Bridge (SU433130)
Parking at Janaway gardens (SU435138)-walk through to river, Priory Hard (SU432136) and Horseshoe (formerly Dukes Road)Bridge ((SU430135). These are on the west bank. On the east bank at Bitterne Manor house, via Vesparian Road off Bitterne road (SU435135) and Centurian Industrial Estate (SU433133)
The only way to view the river between Cobden Bridge and the railway bridge is from Cobden Bridge itself.
Similarly Northam Bridge is a good vantage point to view both up river and south towards Chessel Bay for which there is no other access.
There is a footpath that follows the shoreline from Dukes road to Northam Bridge on the west bank. Centurian Industrial Estate is particularly good as you can park facing the river on rainy days.
What you see here in the winter depends on how harsh or cold the weather is. I have seen Black-Throated Diver, Slavonian grebe and up to 21 Red-breasted Mergansers. This area has traditionally held wintering Common Sandpiper.
5.Northam Bridge to Chessel Bay (SU443127).
Parking at end of Quayside road (SU440131 and Wilments Industrial Estate (SU440125)-enter from Woolston.
Chessel Bay is Southampton’s only designated nature reserve and is best in winter for waders, Brent Goose, and waterfowl. There was a Great Northern diver a few years ago. There is a rough footpath that goes to Wilments Industrial Estate if you care to walk. There is some nice mixed /oak woodland.
6. Itchen Bridge (SU445113)
Parking at Crosshouse road car park (free) (SU432114) and Ocean Village flats promenade (SU432108) on the west bank and on the east bank, Woolston at Hazel road public hard (SU435115), Portsmouth Road public hard (SU435112) and Woolston sewage works (SU435103).
This area has become best known for the Peregrines which rest on Vospers shed and the annual Mediterranean Gulls, but is also the best bet to pick up such species as auks and terns which do not get up river very much.
Look north from the Crosshouse road carp park to scan Spitfire Quay (SU435117).
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Other Sites
Please e-mail me if you know of a favourite site for birdwatching on the Itchen or are able to contribute more information to these sites.
Winnal Moors, Winchester
Herb rich grasslands and smaller areas of open mixed fen and reedbeds.
Access off Wales St SU490299 or east of the River Park Leisure Centre SU487301.
Alresford Pond, Alresford.
Pond at the headwaters of the Itchen surrounded by reedswamp and trees.
Good for wildfowl. Osprey seen here Spring 2001.
Access - pond is private and can only be viewed from B3046 (Broad Street).
Avington Park
Large shallow lake set in parkland. Access from HCC Recreation Area car park SU528321 on the Avington to Easton Road.
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