There were reports of grebes and divers off Sandy Point the night before, so I decided to give Sandy Point at the south end of Hayling Island a try today. As I was driving it was overcast, but as I reached the coast the sky started to break up and the sun starting to push through, the clouds having that mackerel look about them.
Looking to the west.
And looking east.
The tide was rising and a Shag was fishing close to the rocks, not bothered about the waves crashing on to the rocks.
Diving near the rocks then coming up in the calmer water.
I walked around to the beach close to the entrance to the harbour. The first bird I saw on the water was a Great Crested Grebe, but in the rougher water there was a Great Northern Diver, distant but identifiable.
The diver was fishing and diving in the rough water that was flowing into the harbour, the current probably bring fish in. It was joined by a Common or Harbour Seal that seemed to be also taking advantage of the conditions.
I spent sometime scanning the water. A drake Eider flew into the harbour and there was at least two or three Great Northern Divers. In amongst the divers was a Slavonian Grebe, again just a record shot.
I walked to Black Point where the waders were gathering on the sand as the tide was rising. Here a group of Sanderling, well over 100 birds.
The Dunlin leaving it until the last possible minute to move out of the water.
The Sanderling were off.
Here you can see the movement of the tide in the space of three minutes.
Ringed Plover on the beach.
Making my way back towards Sandy Point the Great Northern Diver was still in the rough water but this time much closer to the shore.
And a nice wing flap.
Coming around the Point the sky and sea still looked moody beyond the rocks.
The Shag was still fishing around the rocks despite the fact that the waves and surf was a lot stronger now. However it came up successful with what looks like a Blenny or Bull Head.
It took the fish out to a calmer spot where it tried to swallow.
But it wasn't going down easily and strangely the Shag held it by the tail.
It finally managed to swallow and it went back to the surf to try all over again.
Walking back I noticed this Common Gull on the beach.
This is never a place for photography but there are good birds and today was no different.
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