A 'Lazee's' sea-watch from the Gilkicker shelter.

Sunday 5th November 2023.

One of two Sandwich Terns flew past the shelter this morning.

After yesterday’s Leach’s Petrel fest along the south coast, I wanted to get to Gilkicker as early as possible for a dawn sea-watch and on reaching the car park at around 7.30am, I was soon joined by fellow ‘Lazee’s’ Andy Dickety and Michaela. The weather was a complete turnaround from yesterday, with bright sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky. There was still a breezy westerly wind blowing, which kept the temperature down, but at least it was dry. Though we never saw any Leach’s Petrels this morning, there was a nice variety of birds during the two and a half hours I was there in the shelter with more fellow ‘Lazee’s’.

Above and below, there were two very large flocks of Wood Pigeons crossing high over the Solent.

Above, a pair of Brent Geese flew west and below, this Arctic Tern nearly eluded me as it headed west close to the shoreline.

The trip kicked off nicely when I spotted some small gulls flying east about mid channel and on closer inspection, I could clearly see they were Little Gulls. There was first a flock of four, then another flock of four and finally two single birds. I did spot another Little Gull much closer to the shore, but it simply vanished! There were many Gulls out in the Solent, but the only other species of note was an adult Mediterranean Gull.

Arguably the bird of the morning was an adult winter Arctic Tern flying close to the shoreline and heading west. This was only my second of the year after seeing one in the Spring off Southsea. A Great Northern Diver headed east, also fairly close in and at least two Sandwich Terns flew past. A male Peregrine was well watched flying out to sea as it headed low over the waves towards the Isle of Wight. Other notable species included a Great Crested Grebe heading fast east and a few waders that included Dunlin, Sanderling and an Oystercatcher. Very large flocks of Wood Pigeons flew high heading south and both Linnet and Skylark were seen.

Above, a record shot of the Great Northern Diver heading west low over the Solent.

Above and below, the male Peregrine flying out over the sea towards the Isle of Wight.

Behind the Shelter, the flooded fields held a good number of Gulls including a Common Gull and a Lesser Black-backed among the many Great Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls. As per usual, there was good banter among the fellow ‘Lazee’s’ and it was always a pleasure to be among them to make the trip enjoyable. Sad news came in from Emma Parkes this morning as the Leach’s Petrel she handed over to the Titchfield Haven Volunteers yesterday, sadly passed away overnight.