Ferryman's Notes

Bird Spotting Notes

Date: 08 February 2012

All the winter visitors now seem to be in place with good numbers of Brent Geese in the river. Large numbers of Godwits are with the waders on the mud flats at Keyhaven end while at Hurst a few Grey Plovers can be seen. Egrets are in larger numbers than for a while and at Hurst the Turnstones have taken up their winter residence on the ferry pontoons.Pair of Goldeneye to be seen at the Hurst and a large group of Eiders were spotted on the early morning cross Solent trip.Exciting for me was a close view of an Avocet at half way spreader only the second one I have seen in Keyhaven, the first was many years ago.

Boat news

Date: 25 January 2012

Boats now being lifted from the water in turn for their winter refits. At Hurst Catherine and Victoria are both completed. Rosebud which has had a very busy year is undergoing a major refit.Charlotte Rose is now back in service with daily workmen runs to Yarmouth. Solent Rose is undergoing survey in Lymington

Charlotte Rose at her renaming ceremony 11 July 2011:
The renaming was performed by Dawn assisted by 4 year old Charlotte (William’s friend)
The custom is to name boats with names of monarchs or consorts from the period whilst the castle existed; Charlotte was the wife of George 111.

Fishy News

Date: 25 January 2012

Not much to report at present, the fisherman who is most succesful is the Seal doing well on Bass and flounders.