A day in the Tern Hide.

Saturday 6th May 2023.

Common Terns were abundant on Ibsley Water and some even perched close to the Tern Hide.

After careful consideration last night, I ruled out a very early ‘sea-watch’ from Southsea due to the poor weather forecast for the day and though some of the ‘Lazee’s’ were putting in a ‘sea-watch’ at other south coast localities for a Pom Skua, I decided to go to Blashford Lakes and sit in the Tern Hide armed with a bag full of ‘nosh’ from the nearby garage with Mr Andy Fisher. The weather today was simply shocking for we got a mixture of drizzle, light rain, consistent rain and very heavy rain; however, we had the comfort of the Hide to remain dry all day.

Above, my first Eudonia angustea micro moth of the year by Andy's moth box. Below, mating Black-headed Gulls on the spit in front of the Tern Hide.

A rather sodden Little Ringed Plover among the Black-headed Gulls and in front of a Common Tern on the small island.

I regretted not putting my moth box on last night, for there was only a slight drizzle here in Southsea first thing and so I had to rely on Andy’s moth box for any ‘Mothy’ goodness! Sadly, the only macro moth present was a Brimstone Moth, but I did find my first Eudonia angustea of the year, a small greyish micro moth.The only other moth present was a single Tachystola acroxantha. A moth enthusiast from nearby Horndean lamented that he was also having a poor Spring for moths in his garden. Ditto!

Above, a bathing Little Ringed Plover with a Black-headed Gull and Tufted Duck looking on. Below, A Great Crested Grebe about to swim past a perched Black-headed Gull. 

Above, a Swift in the gloom along with a Sand Martin over Ibsley Water.

We arrived in the car park by the Tern Hide around 9.20am where it already was flooded in places, so I did try to drive carefully to park. Garden Warblers were already in good voice by the Viewing Platform and I managed to see one bird fly out of the brambles and across the car park. Overhead, I could already see a lot of Hirundines and that prepared me for the spectacle in front of the Hide. It was still raining quite heavily, which, I assume, was putting many birders off in going out today and what with the King Charles Coronation going on, many will be glued to their television! Andy and I then spent the next four and a half hours here within the Hide, enjoying superb views of the Hirundines and the 30+ Common Terns hawking over Ibsley Water.

A female Mallard with her brood takes the plunge onto Ibsley Water. Below, heavy raindrops bomb down around the ducklings.

Above, Sand Martins buzzing across the water in front of the Tern Hide.

Frustratingly, my P900 camera simply could not take many decent photos of the Hirundines despite the fact that a lot of the birds flew so close to the Hide, but at least we had the best seats in the house and enjoyed a variety of birds during our long stay here. Kicking off with the Hirundines, the most numerous by far were the Sand Martins buzzing past with much smaller numbers of Swallows and Swifts. Only one or two House Martins were seen, however, there was always the chance of something rarer dropping in. But not today.

Above, the Common Sandpiper to the right of the Hide and below, a Common Tern flying past the Hide.

One of the Black-tailed Godwits present on the spit to the right of the Hide. It had to be careful from the nesting Black-headed Gulls.

Up to six species of wader were recorded that included at least two Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 3 possibly 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Lapwing and a single Common Sandpiper. Despite my best efforts, I could not find a Wood Sandpiper or something similar along the shoreline, but a pair of Oystercatchers with two young were on the island at the northern end of Ibsley Water.

Above, this Black-headed Gull looks a bit bemused with a heavy rain shower. Below, Sand Martins taking a break and perching on sticks to the right of the Hide.

Above, another Common Tern flying past the Hide and below, the male Tufted Duck was displaying to its mate. 

The majority of wildfowl present were Tufted Duck, a few pairs of Gadwall and Mallard though a few Grey Lag Geese flew over and several Canada Geese were on the islands. A nearby resident Black Swan was seen near the west bank along with 4 Egyptian Geese and finally, up to 10 Great Crested Grebes were present on the water. Sadly, no Raptors decided to try their luck with the Hirundines in the wet conditions. Up to 6 Hobbies were seen here yesterday! By 2pm, I said to Andy about calling it a day and so made the long wet drive back home. No ‘year-ticks’ today, which was disappointing and later on today, I found out that a Long-billed Dowitcher was found on the Fishtail Lagoon at Pennington Marshes and a Hooded Crow in Gosport today!   

Above, four and a half hours in the same Hide can reduce one to utter madness! Below, an immature Black-headed Gull moulting into summer plumage.

A very brief film footage on one of the Common Terns from the Hide.