Common Terns, but a slow morning's seawatch.

Sunday 17th April 2022.

My first Common Tern of the year past Gilkicker Point.

We were all promised good things at Gilkicker Point this morning from a certain ‘Lazee Birder’ with a breezy south-easterly to whet our appetites. In fact, there was a trickle of birds going through, but nothing like last Monday whatsoever. But hey, there was a good atmosphere with at least 12 ‘Lazee Birders’ present and I even got my first Common Tern of the year, so it wasn't all that bad.

A pair of adult Gannets heading east to liven things up a little.

A pair of Med Gulls heading east.

One of the ‘Lazee Birders’ was watching from nearby Hill Head, a little more west than us and therefore was giving us the ‘heads up’ should anything of note go past in an easterly direction. In fact, he told us that a flock of Bar-tailed Godwits would be passing us by, but none of us saw them!  Up to 5 Gannets went through, two flocks of Brent Geese, a single Common Scoter and a pair of Shags in the 3 hours we were there from 7am to 10am. Thank God the banter was top notch again. In summary, this is what went through this morning:

• 53 Brent Geese (flocks of 37 &16)
• 57+ Sandwich Tern
• 2 Shag (adults)
• 5 Gannet (all adults)
• 40 Common Tern
• 5 Mediterranean Gull
• 1 Common Scoter 

There were also sightings of a Swallow low over the water heading north and a Great Crested Grebe on the sea, but I failed to pick them up. Still, a good chat was had with the guys and Michaela brought along some lovely homemade biscuits too. Happy days.

Andy & Michaela Dickety, who provided some delicious biscuits this morning with JB to the right. 

Sandwich Terns belting through low over the sea. These looked like genuine migrant birds as they sped past.

This afternoon, a female Sparrowhawk flew low over my garden and taking Isabelle for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery later in the afternoon, another it or another female Sparrowhawk was hunting over the Cemetery and then I watched it stoop down and land in one of the tall trees in the north-east corner. The Green Woodpecker was vocal in the large Oak Tree in the east side of the Cemetery, but proved very elusive high up in the leafy tree. Apart from a few Robins and Blue Tits, it was rather quiet there, though Isabelle enjoyed taking photos of the flowers there. 

Two late flocks of Brent Geese headed east over the Solent close in.

In Hampshire today, two Glossy Ibis flew south over Langstone Mill Pond this afternoon and a Lesser Whitethroat was found by Sinah on Hayling Island. A Great Skua went through Sandy Point this morning and an Arctic Skua went through this afternoon. Below, some photos from Isabelle and my walk around Highland Road Cemetery this afternoon. 

Daisies growing within the Cemetery.

Field Buttercups.

Close up of a Field Buttercup. Photo taken by Isabelle Smith.

Common Speedwell. Photo taken by Isabelle Smith.

Her Grandad. Photo taken by Isabelle Smith.

Above and below, the female Sparrowhawk over the Cemy.