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The Hayling Billy coastal path |
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"The Hayling Billy
coastal path" follows the path that the Hayling Billy train
used to run along. The train was closed in November 1963. The
track is divided in two by a wooden fence. On one side it is a compacted mud and stone path.
This is where
you should walk, on the other is a bridleway. This is just mud
and meant for horses. The path starts at the Station Theatre
in Station Road map ref: SZ 70925 99775 it ends next to the Hayling
bridge map ref: SU 71950 03895. The whole path is about 2.85 miles
long. At the start of the track there is a notice board on the
right. To the left of this board you can see over a field. I have named
it for my
records as "Sinah Field" |
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Sinah Field in flood December 2003. The track runs just to
the right of this photo. |
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This field is a good
place for birds especially when its in flood. It has flooded the past two winters 2002 & 2003.
When it is in flood I have seen well over 45 Meadow Pipits and lots of
Pied
Wagtail and good mix of waders and gulls, and large flocks of
Brent Geese. If you are ever
passing it is worth a scan as I
regularly see
Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, and normally see Siskin, Finch, and
linnet flocks in winter. I have also seen Great Spotted and
Green Woodpecker, Buzzard, Red Kite, Merlin, Little Owl, and in
September 2003 I heard Tawny Owl calling at night. |
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Continuing up the path
on both sides there are trees, nettles, and brambles. These
trees on the left are good for chiffchaff and Willow Warbler
at the right time of year. About a quarter of a mile along the
path is a line of dead trees which run at a right angle to the track
on the right. These often have birds resting in. I have seen
bullfinch here two days running about a year ago but not since. |
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The next place to stop
is about 180 meters further up the track to the left on the
other side of the fence you can see a path going down hill in
to the woods with a clearing in the middle. I have often seen
Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker here and there are nest
holes in some of the trees. You can see chiffchaff and Willow
Warbler here too if you follow the path though the wood. It
will come out next to the sea, this is the "West Shore" look
on the West Shore page for more information. If you do not go
though the wood you can walk 20 -- 30 meters up
the track turn left and go around the wooden five bar gate. On
your left is a reed bed. On the far side of the reeds there is
a large ditch with a pipe going
under ground and comes out on the beach . You can see reed
bunting here a good place to look for them is on top of a
large round bush in the reeds. I have also seen whitethroat, lesser whitethroat,
kestrel, little egret in the large ditch and once I saw a
kingfisher in this area.
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Moving on about 280
meters map ref: SU71340 01515. Here you can see Yellowhammer in
the bushes. On your right there are some fields that run next
to West Lane. On these fields you can see in the winter lots
of Curlew, lapwing, and very large flocks of Brent Geese. In
the summer you cam see good numbers of skylark
performing their flight song and I have seen up to three
wheatear together in these fields. A little owl has been seen
regularly around the hedge line at the far end of
this field. The next place of note along the track is the oysterbeds. For information about this area see the Oysterbeds
page. |
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