A couple of raptors on another 'seawatch'.

Wednesday 26th April 2023.

Juvenile Med Gull heading east over the waves near the shoreline.

There was a noticeable difference in today's weather from yesterday and what with it being overcast and a very fresh (damn bloody cold in my opinion!) south-easterly blowing, after work I promptly drove down to Southsea seafront for another 2 hours sea-watch (yes, I am still taking the pills and having therapy!). I was kind of hoping for lots of Skua’s, Fulmar's and Terns with plenty of waders to be pouring through on a famous south-easterly, but yet again, I was in dreamland. Instead, it was a slow trickle of birds in what should have been perfect conditions. And what with some of the ‘Lazee’s’ bombarding us with gorgeous photos of southern European avian beauties on Lesbos, surely we could hit back with an early flock of Pom Skua’s?

Above, one of the few Whimbrels flew through eastbound. Bar one, they were all quite distant. Below, this adult Med Gull stood out nicely against the dark sea.

From 9.05am, settling down comfortably in my shelter overlooking the Solent on Southsea seafront (I resisted the urge for another Sausage Bap and coffee!), things started positive with a very distant adult Gannet working its way westbound near the Isle of Wight shoreline then quickly followed by a close adult Shag heading west followed by a pair of Shags also heading in the same direction. Good, now for the Skua’s me thinks! And then it went nearly dead!

Above, this adult Cormorant flew close in as did the Med Gull below.

To be fair, there was a trickle of Common Terns going through including a few very distant Terns (Commic) all heading east, although a few birds were obviously out fishing over the choppy sea and made their way west. Again, not many Sandwich Terns about, with just a few pairs and a small group of three birds all heading east; but there was a look of purpose about them as they kept low and fast over the waves. Yes, there are thousands of Med Gulls out in nearby Langstone Harbour, but the 5 that flew past looked stunning against the slate grey background of the sea (see photos), including the two juvenile birds.

Above, another Whimbrel heading east low over the water and below, one of the two juvenile Med Gulls.

A total of 6 Whimbrel flew past in either ones or twos, though those doing a ‘seawatch’ from Hill Head notched up over 50 from 6.30am onwards! One individual came in quite close, calling as well, but my camera was playing 'silly buggers' as the zoom on it was not working properly. A new camera on the horizon? Other waders going through included two single Oystercatchers. To see raptors on a ‘seawatch’ always has the heart pounding as I picked up a female Peregrine flying out to sea! I lost it through the scope and then saw it about a mile out still heading south. Probably hunting tired migrants over sea perhaps. Even more unusual was a male Kestrel some 300 yards out heading eastbound towards the Pier I expected after chasing migrants. I am not sure I have ever seen a Kestrel on a ‘seawatch’ here, but a nice addition to my list today, though Lesser Kestrel shouldn't be ruled out at this time of year! Fat chance! From Gilkicker, fellow ‘Lazee’ Mr Dickety had a Hobby heading north on his quiet ‘seawatch’. 

Not the sharpest photos, but this male Kestrel was a surprise as it flew low over the sea heading east.

As expected, there is always someone who wants to know what I am looking at and then we engaged in a conversation for around 15 minutes. I even let him look through my scope as he proceeded in telling me about his doomed marriage and his boring job, plus he must stay healthy. You get all sorts here. Oh, and of course, the absolute mad swimmer who MUST go into the water despite all the crap and junk Southern Water is pouring into the sea here!