Common Tern Hill Head.
Common Tern.
Nature on the beach
We went on a Boat Trip.
Wednesday, we took to the sea in Ilfracombe and went on a 2-hour boat trip on the Ilfracombe Princess along the coast . We spotted about 20 Grey Seals. Not many seabirds were still on the cliffs as the breeding season has now passed, but I did spot one lone Gannet.
Why is a Turnstone called a Turnstone?
A picture {or afilm says a 1000 words!}
Changes.
The Brent Geese have left and are heading north to their breeding grounds. Most of the Sanderlings have also left. With the shift in season, the return of Terns is due on our shores.
I did spot two Sandlings who may have decided to remain here this year.
Turnstone.
A couple of hours watching Turnstone around the harbour at Titchfield,
Kittiwake.
“Nests on seaside cliffs, often among auks and Northern Fulmar.” This bird, in non-breeding plumage, was in a flock of Black-headed Gulls at Titchfield Haven on Tuesday, a relatively rare sight for us on the Hampshire coast.
Stormy.
Worming.
The Curlew is one of my favourite waders. I never tire of watching these large waders, whether on our coast in winter or on the moors during their nesting season. Not only are they a pleasure to see, but their call over the mashes is also a joy to hear. Just one picture today, and a video – something I have not captured before, a Curlew catching a Ragworm.
Reed Bunting.
A pair of Reed Buntings. The male bird sports a striking black head in the breeding season, but as we are now in winter, this has become duller. Females are brown, making them harder to distinguish from females or other brown birds. Note the female bird in my picture is ringed.
Grey Plover.
Spotted a few Grey Plovers on Keyhaven Marshes near Lymington, Hampshire yesterday. I also see them regularly on the mud on the River Hamble. I have only seen them in their winter plumage; usually, I find them fairly difficult to photograph decently due to how far off they are.
In summer, they have silver and black spotted upperparts, a black face, neck and belly. In winter, they lose the black feathers and take on a grey look.
Continued Reflections from my World. 