The weather forecast once again predicted poor conditions, though it appeared that a portion of the south coast might escape the rain - luckily, this included Lymington and the Normandy Marsh. Kev @kev07713 and I had two main targets for the day: little terns, and the female long-tailed duck. There had also been reports of a roseate tern making occasional appearances, so we’d keep an eye out for that too. If time permitted, we planned to search for a Dartford warbler, a species I’d yet to encounter this year.
We parked further up the lane than usual, as all the regular spots near the gate were already taken. After gearing up, we walked to the edge of Normandy Lagoon and within minutes of scanning with his scope, Kev located the long-tailed duck. It was distant, initially swimming before climbing out of the water to preen briefly. Soon after, it settled down and went to sleep.
Long-tailed ducks are primarily Arctic breeders that typically winter around the northern and eastern coasts of Scotland and Northumberland. While small flocks or solitary individuals occasionally reach southern regions like Dorset, Kent, and West Sussex, they are uncommon this far south in June - around 14,000 are estimated to winter in UK waters. The female, unlike the striking male, is a more subdued brown and white, with a shorter tail and faint cheek patches
We began our walk around the lagoon and were soon watching little terns both out in the bay and across the lagoon itself. Habitat restoration efforts have clearly been made here - several islands within the lagoon have been fenced off and covered with pea-shingle to encourage nesting by little terns, as well as common and roseate terns. Along the lagoon’s edges, little terns were actively plunge-diving for small fish in a near-constant rhythm.
My initial attempts at photographing them weren’t great due to poor light direction, but after relocating to a better vantage point, I managed to capture some improved shots. With at least eight breeding pairs working the area, there were plenty of opportunities. While formal counts of breeding pairs aren’t conducted here, last year’s doubling of fledged chicks (from three to six) suggests a healthy and growing little tern population.
At one point, we watched a pair of little terns engage in a classic courtship display, spiralling high into the sky in tight circles, calling to each other all the while. Once aloft, they hovered side by side before dropping back down to one of the islands. This aerial dance is a pair-bonding ritual, often performed before or after mating, and sometimes preceding courtship feeding, where the male offers a small fish to the female.
The wind was quite strong, and it was much more comfortable walking along the narrow path below the sea wall, sheltered from the gusts.
Sharing the islands were numbers of common terns, many already with chicks - more than 60 pairs of common terns populated the site in 2024 and there was no indication of a reduction this year. The adult terns were bringing small fish back to the nest continuously, flying in from the Solent with fish trailing in their bills - often they would hover before landing, presumably to confirm there were no predators before landing - on other occasions the incoming bird would take off again seemingly upset that its partner wanted to take the fish - I can do it! They are busy parents and apparently one adult can deliver up to 50 fish a day to a hungry brood.
Out over the islands we started to spot a handful of Mediterranean gulls, landing in amongst the bleck-headed gull colony. Their call is quite distinct and Kev and I have got quite used to stopping for a look when we hear them overhead - distinctive and rather elegant call, often described as a mournful or drawn-out wail, softer and more musical than the harsher cries of the other gulls. The calls appeared to largely coincide during their arial displays and when disputes broke out when they landed. Not quite the views we had last week at WWT Slimbridge but great to see.
Since first breeding in the UK in 1968 the species has increased in number rapidly - to 2,400 pairs in 2018 (peak) before settling to around 1,200 pairs now. Once confined to the south and to eastern coasts breeding now extends into Scotland with the first breeding pairs confirmed in 2023.
On two occasions a roseate tern flew through, but I didn't manage to get a record shot of it. A pair bred here in the last two summers but as far as I know there is only one bird in the area.
Avocets disappeared from British breeding grounds by the 1840s. Remarkably they recolonised in 1947 on Suffolk's Minsmere reserve during WWII marsh flooding, sparking a dramatic recovery - a rise in breeding pair of 300% in 25 years. The wintering population has surged about 21-% since 1997, reaching about 8,700 birds. Initially concentrated on the East Anglia coast they now breed very widely. They are classified as amber-listed in the UK but are one of the few waders showing strong upward trends.
Avocets represent one of the UK's most remarkable wildlife success stories - from near extinction to now flourishing across the south coast and beyond, their expanding presence underscoring the successful habitat restoration that has taken place.
A male stonechat seemed to be following us and perched regularly on the fence between us and the lagoon. This was not the only individual, and we had some great views of what I think was a juvenile. Since 1995, the UK breeding stonechat population has jumped by approximately 258% - a long-term surge. In particular there has been an amazing circa 700% increase in umbers over recent decades. As they stopped on posts, gorse and low shrubs they called - a sharp, staccato "chak-chak" sound, reminiscent of stones tapping.
As we began to circle back, we continued to enjoy watching the variety of birdlife, once again spotting the female long-tailed duck. She was diving frequently, then emerged from the water to preen just as before. Nearing the gate on our way back to the car, we came across reed warblers busily flitting through the reeds, their beaks crammed with food for hungry chicks. Nearby, a family of oystercatchers caught our attention.
A friend of mine who lives near the Suffolk coast had recently told me about oystercatcher chicks running around on her driveway, and seeing one here, I couldn’t resist taking a photo. The chick was covered in soft grey and white down, typical of many young waders. It was already beginning to show the species' trademark long, straight bill, though still short and muted in colour compared to the vivid orange-red of the adults.
Oystercatcher chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and follow their parents, and learning how to forage.
We discussed our next move - I'd hoped to try for a Dartford warbler, but with the coastal wind picking up, it seemed unlikely we'd have much luck there. Instead, we decided to head inland to Sandy Down near Brockenhurst, where we’d seen them last year. As we pulled into the car park, we stepped out just in time to witness a Red Arrows flypast, likely on their return from the dramatic display over London for Trooping the Colour, marking King Charles’s official birthday.
Notably, this year’s Red Arrows display featured a 40% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), derived from waste cooking oil and other bio-based sources, to produce their iconic red, white, and blue smoke trails; an effort to reduce their environmental impact.
We set off across the heathland, spotting silver-studded blue butterflies as we went. They are strongly tied to lowland heath and limestone grasslands and are found in colonies, often small and isolated, with key strong populations located here. They have a fascinating symbiosis with ants where the caterpillars secrete a sugary substance that attracts ants, which then protect them from predictors. In return, the larvae pupate underground in the ants' nests! Adults fly mainly in June and July, staying low and close to the ground, and basking in warm, sunny patches. We spent less time photographing them than last year.
As we approached the spot where we’d seen Dartford warblers last year, Kev paused to examine an orchid, likely a common spotted orchid. In this area, the heath variety is probably the most widespread, and while hybrids do occur here, this one looked fairly typical of the common form. The acidic heathland and boggy ground provide ideal growing conditions.
As we waited, we could see some fallow deer on the opposite hillside - their presence made easier to spot given that one was white - a striking and unusual sight. The white fallow deer are usually not albino, typically having dark eyes, not pink. Their whiteness is due to leucism, a genetic condition that reduces pigment. The deer fed in the trees, occasionally passing through partial clearings giving an opportunity to capture a few photos. Further to the left we could see roe deer sitting low in the scrub, eventually departing but stopping for its photo to be taken.
Our attention was drawn when we heard a soft partial call from a Dartford warbler in front of us. We located it but as I tried to take a photo, it flew back from its perch on some gorse then stopped briefly on another bush before dropping from view. Shortly after it reappeared way off to our right, against the sky - tricky light for photos. Once it dropped from there, we decided time was getting on and we started back to the car, spotting a hobby cutting across the heather.
Almost back to the car a pair of linnets dropped onto a small wet patch in the heather - although they wouldn't be the best photos I took a couple anyway.
We jumped in the car and made for home - another successful outing and a few year ticks.
Year list: 212.
