Stormy conditions bring in the scarcities.

Wednesday 3rd September 2025.

The Grey Phalarope at Hayling Island devouring a Ragworm. Photo by Andy Friend.

Unfortunately, I didn't do any birding today due to work commitments and even the Moth Box wasn't on last night due to the poor weather overnight. Today wasn't much better as I took a couple of soakings while driving around today. The strong winds brought in some very heavy showers throughout the day, but it did clear up late afternoon that encouraged our local birders to catch up with a very obliging Grey Phalarope.

Above, the Grey Phalarope in flight over the Oysterbeds. Photo by Andy Friend and below, the same bird is still showing well. Photo by Graeme Loader.

Yesterday’s Grey Phalarope was still present this morning, though it took some finding at first, but it gave its admirers some cracking close views from the main Car Park behind the Esso Garage and I have been allowed to put on my blog some of the superb photos and film footage. Many thanks to those guys.

The juvenile / 1st winter Caspian Gull off Sandy Point today. Photos by Chris Geary.

The sea was well watched today for some excellent seabirds passing through. From Sandy Point, a 1st winter, juvenile Caspian Gull was found flying among Herring Gulls and even briefly sat on the sea for five minutes before flying off. Also seen were two Arctic Skua’s, a juvenile Black Tern, a Fulmar and up to 40 Gannets. Over at Milford Shelter, near Lymington, the guys checking out the sea there recorded singles of Balearic and Manx Shearwater, 4 Arctic Skua, a Grey Phalarope, 3 Common Scoter and a Kittiwake. TWO Grey Phalaropes were now on Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve today!

I couldn't resist this lovely film footage of the Grey Phalarope at the Oysterbeds. Filmed by James Cutting.

The winds have not quite dropped yet and so what will be discovered tomorrow on the south coast?