An hour by Eastney harbour entrance.

Monday 8th April 2024.

This beautiful adult Mediterranean Gull was posing nicely by the harbour entrance at Eastney.

I took a stroll by the harbour entrance at Eastney this morning and with a high tide within Langstone Harbour and the sun shining, it was nice to take in somewhere different for a change. I parked up in the car park overlooking the harbour entrance and first made my way north up to the Hayling Ferry and viewed the harbour from there. I first picked out a distant small flock of 4 Brent Geese swimming just off Milton Lakes and just south of them was a Great Crested Grebe on its lonesome, swimming among the boats. A Sandwich Tern was heard but I failed to locate the bird. Close to the Ferry Terminal, were two adult Mediterranean Gulls now in their full summer plumage and in this light, they both looked stunning, just standing on the beach watching me slowly walk past. I flushed a Turnstone from the shoreline, but it flew off south before I could grab a photo. They should be in summer plumage now. Apart from the usual Gulls, House Sparrows and Starlings, not a great deal else of note, so I got back in the car and took a drive to Ferry Road Car Park.

Above, the plant Alexanders were abundantly growing by the harbour entrance.

Above and below, a pair of adult Med Gulls were by the Hayling Ferry Terminal.

Above, a distant flock of Brent Geese with two Herring Gulls near Milton Lakes.  Below, a juvenile Mute Swans heading west over Langstone Harbour.

Above, Sea Radish was growing by the Ferry Road Car Park and below, from left to right: Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Blackbird and a Stock Dove on the perimeter fence by Fort Cumberland.

After negotiating the horrible potholes within the car park, I decided to check out the large field to the west, looking through the perimeter fence. Collared Doves, Stock Doves and a few Wood Pigeons could be seen on the perimeter fence opposite. A Chiffchaff was heard singing in the distance, but no sighting this time. A mixed flock of Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch were feeding on the grass, but no Wheatears bouncing about on the grass, sadly. Sea Radish plants were growing by the brambles as well as clumps of Periwinkle. I only spent around 20 minutes here as I had work to do, but it was a pleasure just to get out of the house for a while. Common Whitethroats have been reported all along the south coast and I really fancied my chances for one here today, but it was not to be.

Above, Rob Porter snapped this shot of a male Wheatear at Lower Test Marshes today.

Above, a Willow Warbler and below, a displaying Sedge Warbler. Both birds were photographed by Andy Tew at Fishlake Meadows today. 

I had some work to do in the garden today and while doing some chores there, my first Holly Blue butterfly of the year flew in and out of the garden a couple of times and several Drone Flies and Marmalade Hoverflies were noted too. A few Arctic Skuas were seen flying through the Solent this morning along with some Common Terns and Whimbrel plus a Hobby was reported from Gilkicker as well.  

This Peregrine was photographed by Graeme Loader at Winchester Cathedral.