Second seawatch of the year produces Common Terns.

Sunday 6th April 2025.

Southsea seafront & the Solent:

Dawn at Southsea seafront. It was a 6.30am start to see what goodies were flying through the Solent this morning.

After doing a ‘sea-watch’ from Southsea Beach last Thursday, I couldn’t wait to get back there to see if there was anything moving through the Solent. It meant an early start where I arrived bright and early at 6.30am. Another cloudless sky overhead as I watched the sunrise in the east rising above the South Esplanade Pier. Just a few joggers went by at first, but their numbers increased as the morning wore on. A few swimmers braved the cold water as I got stuck into the birds going through. A very light north-easterly was blowing across the seafront, but from the comfort of one of the Shelters, it was rather cosy as I watched good numbers of Gulls (Herring, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls) making their way over the Solent.

Above, Herring and Black-headed Gulls in front of the South Parade pier. Below, an adult Black-headed Gull poking his head above the shingle.

Above, a juvenile Herring Gull exploring the beach in front of me and below, you can just see the line of Common Terns flying east over the sea in this photo.

I saw my first Common Terns of the year flying some distance out heading east;  a big flock of 16 birds heading fast and low over the sea heading eastbound. This is what Spring sea-watching is all about, true migration at work and gives you such a buzz when you see sights like this. Was it going to be a good couple of hours here? To be honest, it was a bit slow at times, but I did get to see a distant adult Gannet going west and another juvenile Kittiwake flying east. Those three species were probably the best of the morning, but a blue Budgerigar flying fast in front of me over the beach was a strange sight. The bird, calling as it went past, eventually flew north and landed somewhere in the Gardens behind me!

Above, one of many Sandwich Terns passing over the Solent and below, 9 Brent Geese heading east to their breeding grounds.

Above, as I was walking back to the car, I found this Ragged Robin plant growing on the grass. Another plant was nearby. Below, yours truly in the Shelter on the seafront. What else will I pick up flying over the Solent in the coming months?

Good numbers of Sandwich Terns were fishing out in the Solent with at least 20+ birds seen this morning and Med Gulls were in double figures too. I particularly enjoyed watching small flocks of the birds flying low over the sea heading east. Other sightings this morning included a Little Egret (some distance out) flying east, two flocks of Brent Geese (a flock of 9 and 4) heading east, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 Shelduck all heading east. No Hirundines were seen this morning, which was a bit disappointing, but I was pleased with this morning's sightings. 

Above, the Light Brown Apple Moth I flushed while watering the garden and below, an Angle Shades moth Caterpillar by the Lavender plant.

This afternoon, a Willow Warbler showed up in my garden and was seen several times during the day. Though it never sang, it did utter its longer ‘hooeet’ call note and I could clearly see the bird was brighter, longer winged and pale legs at such close range. Becky and I bought some more flowers for the garden and later in the evening when I began watering the plants, I found both a Light Brown Apple Moth and also the Caterpillar of an Angle Shades moth.