A superb seawatch at Gilkicker.

Sunday 9th April 2023.

One of the dark-phased Arctic Skua's flying close in over the Solent. This individual came in and harassed a Sandwich Tern.

It was arranged today by the ‘Lazee’s’ a sea-watch from Gilkicker would take place and looking at the weather map, south-easterly winds were going to be present throughout the day. These winds can bring in some nice seabirds and migrants and so getting up around 5.30am, I made my way to this very unpredictable site. I have seen some nice birds here last year and with its close proximity to both the Isle of Wight and Hill Head, birds do funnel through and sometimes, quite close to shore.

Above, some of the Little Gulls seen this morning heading east and below, this Common Tern came in high and close to the shoreline.

When I arrived around 6.30am, it was still quite misty within the Solent, but when local birder and fellow ‘Lazee’, Mark Francis turned up, he told me that this was perfect conditions for seabirds to come through on a south-easterly wind. For the next hour, I notched up another three ‘year-ticks’. First of all was a small flock of three Common Terns that flew fast and low over the Solent, but some distance out. Next, a pair of Gannets were seen going low east across the sea and followed quickly by a male Common Scoter heading west. Another flock of four birds of the latter species were seen about 20 minutes later.

Above, one of the three Wheatear that flew onto the beach in front of us and below, one of the tight bunch of Sandwich Terns purposely heading eastbound on migration.

We could see there was most certainly a good ‘movement’ of Terns going through including both Sandwich and Common Terns pulsing through in tight flocks, all heading east. Mark was quick to pick out 5 Little Gulls flying east with a couple of Black-headed Gulls and although not a ‘year-tick’, still a very good sighting. Earlier, a few minutes after I arrived, I heard a Yellow Wagtail fly over, but annoyingly, I did not get a sighting of it. I was luckier with the flock of Linnets flying over heading north as was a Meadow Pipit (another two more were heard). Up to three Wheatears flew in on the beach (I assume they were flushed by dog-walkers in the field behind us) as Mark and I rushed over to grab a few photos.

Above and below, adult Med Gulls heading east close in.

A mixed flock of both Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls close in.

By 8am, we were joined also by Andy Friend, Nigel Crook and a little later by Andy Tew and Mark Manley; so now more eyes out looking over the Solent. More Terns flew east and my final total was 36+ Common Tern and at least 60+ Sandwich Tern, with many flying in tight flocks close in. A few waders went through including a pair of Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers and a sizable flock of small waders which we think were Sanderling, although they were a long way out and heading towards Hill Head. Up to four Swallows were seen coming in off the sea and two birds showed superbly as they belted past.

Some of the better photos of the Arctic Skua's this morning.

Easily the birds of the morning were the Arctic Skua’s. Possibly everyone's favourite seabird, we had five birds in total this morning, all dark-phased birds. Andy Friend picked out two birds flying low over the Solent and these were joined by a third and then a fourth bird all heading fast east. However, this sighting was eclipsed by another dark-phased bird coming in and then harassing a Sandwich Tern to disgorge its fish it had just recently caught. Some of the guys rushed onto the beach to get better photos of the bird chasing the hapless Tern, but who could blame them as the bird was quite close in.

Some of the Lazee Birders enjoying a good mornings seawatch from Gilkicker. From R to L: Nigel Crook, Andy Tew, my good self, Mark Francis and John Manley. Photo by Andy Friend.

By 10am, I made my way home reflecting on a good morning's sea-watch with the ‘Lazee Birders’. Earlier in the day, John Manley went to see the Black-crowned Night Heron on the River Stour, near Christchurch that was found yesterday (possibly three birds there last night)  and was still present this morning. Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, took part in the Wildfowl and Wader Count yesterday down at Farlington Marshes. He notched up the following sightings: 2 Little Gulls, 2 Ruff, 40 Avocet, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Reed Warbler, 2 Wheatears and a Swallow!   

The Black-crowned Night Heron on the River Stour this morning. Photo by John Manley.