The warm weather and southerly winds of the Easter weekend, when I was gardening, had been replaced by cool north easterlies and with it some partially overcast conditions. Pulling up at the sea wall at Hill Head just before sun rise was a different story this morning, the tide was still high but the conditions were murky and quite gloomy. There was a cold breeze but the sea was relatively settled. The rainbow bar was still covered by the tide, while a very large Princess Cruise ship made its way up Southampton Water.
The first movement that indicated the possibility of a good morning was of seven waders, possibly Grey Plover, heading east but quite a way from shore. This was followed by the appearance of Eider quite close in for once, but still in the gloom.
Then a single Bar-tailed Godwit flew along the shore and circled back out to sea before returning and flying over our heads and towards the reserve. It was pretty much in summer breeding plumage.
Then from absolutely nowhere an adult Gannet appeared, Ian picked it up as it dived quite close to shore, in fact this was the closet Gannet I have had here. It was still very gloomy and the images show this which is a shame.
I had been trying to show Ian something on my phone, but every time I picked it up something else appeared. This time it was more Bar-tailed Godwits. At first one, but a different bird from the earlier one as it was still in winter plumage
They passed over head and over towards the scrape on the reserve. However there were no reports from there during the day and we had our backs to the reserve for most of the time and they could have moved on at any time. A couple more were seen later on the sea watch.
It was then back to the Bar-tailed Godwits, here accompanied by a Dunlin.
Further groups of Bar-tailed Godwits were now mixing with Whimbrel and all heading east.
Through the morning the number of Common Terns had increased and they could be seen and heard moving between the reserve and out to sea. It seemed strange to see the "sea swallow" before I had actually seen a swallow this year.
There had been reports of a Great Skua or Bonxie heading west into the Solent, but unfortunately it didn't make it as far as us during the morning. We were left with brute of a gull, the Great Black-backed Gull to play the role of predator.
The movement of Whimbrel continued with one coming in very close along the beach.
There had been a couple of groups of Common Scoter moving east, but very distant. A single Sand Martin passed over us heading up the Meon Valley. The best sighting was almost left to last when two Black Terns came from down Southampton Water and headed east almost mid-channel, but I did manage to get what has to be one of the poorest record shots ever.
Four and half hours after we started sea watching the morning ended for us as it had started with the same four Eider flying east.
We decided to drive up to Bridge Street and walk down to Posbrook Floods. Walking down the path, at last, a Swallow flew across in front of us. On the Bridge Street Floods there were several Black-tailed Godwit and two Avocet. Ian also found a single Little Ringed Plover. A Whitethroat was singing from the vegetation close to the path and overhead we had what initially we thought to be a Peregrine. In defence we were looking close to the sun and the bird through binoculars was a silhouette. It wasn't until we looked at the photographs, highlighted them a lot, that we realised that the Peregrine was in fact a Hobby.
Moving onto Posbrook Floods there was a good number of all three hirundines, with Sand Martin and House Martin outnumbering the Swallows. On the edge of the water there was another Little Ringed Plover, and then at the south end of the flood there were three Green Sandpiper, unfortunately a little too far away for the camera.
Walking back there was a Whitethroat singing by the bridge.
The Whitethroat we had seen earlier was visible now in a Willow close to the path.
There was still a cool wind but the sun was now out and the skies were clear, so it was now time for butterflies and back to Browndown South where Ian had found a couple of specialties the day before.
Walking along the main path that faces south there was sufficient cover to keep the breeze off and in places it was quite warm in the sun. The first butterflies seen were a few Small Whites, and lo and behold they stopped for us.
Then a very nice Green-veined White, I always think the first brood look the best and perched on a bluebell makes it special.
At the first open sheltered spot we quickly found one of the specialties, a Small Copper.
The other Ian had found in the same area yesterday and it was still there today. However this Green Hairstreak was not very confiding and after taking this photograph was found to be very difficult to pin down.
In the next sheltered spot we came across a Holly Blue, clearly taking a liking to the bluebells.
We walked a little further without any significant sighting. Walking back we tried the spot where we had seen the Green Hairstreak and after a short search found it again and it showed a little better this time.
Leaving there was just time for another Small Copper although it too was a little shy.
As we did this time last year it was time now to visit Noar Hill. We visit at this time of year every year, it is probably the best place to find the diminutive little butterfly the Duke of Burgundy. A specialist of chalk landscapes, Noar Hill is one of the best places to see them as it has many dips that are sheltered from the wind at this time of year and creates its own micro climate.
It was a 40 minute drive from Browndown, not too far from home for once. We walked up the path leading to the main gate and checked for Orange Tip, but there was very little flowers about so no butterflies. Entering the reserve we turned left and walked into the first little quarry. A Orange Tip male flew through and did what all Orange Tips do at this time of year, didn't stop. But while we watched the Orange Tip a Dingy Skipper appeared. An overlooked butterfly, up close they have really detailed markings when first emerged.
Leaving the quarry the area was now overgrown with bramble, but one Early Purple Orchid was showing very well.
The path then leads down into the first dip which was warm and sheltered from the breeze, it is also the one of the most reliable places to find the Duke and sure enough we quickly came across one.
Noar Hill is known for its Cowslips and there were plenty flowering, but maybe not in the density that were present this time last year. Still this dainty flower is one of the reasons the Dukes are here and they look delightful against the blue sky.
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