Friday conversation was short - Kev @kev07713 said there was nothing that we had to go and see locally and so suggested a trip down to Normandy Marsh, Hampshire for a breeding pair of roseate terns. I snapped at the chance as I'd missed the chance to holiday in the northeast a few weeks earlier and see these wonderful birds.
Roseate terns nesting in Hampshire, marks a rare instance of this species attempting to breed on the south coast of England. One of Britain's rarest and most localised breeding species, roseate terns are typically found nesting almost exclusively on Coquet Island in Northumberland. However, a notable exception has occurred this year, with a pair settling in a tern colony at Normandy Lagoon, a saltmarsh on the Hampshire coast.
First reported here on May 14, the presence of this rare pair initially prompted the Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) to minimise publicity to protect the birds. As the roseate tern is rarely seen breeding away from Northumberland (or Ireland), volunteers have been constantly monitoring the nest to prevent disturbances during the brooding of the eggs - a dedicated team of HOS volunteers have conducted 24-hour monitoring using thermal-imaging cameras.
The roseate tern closely resembles the common tern in many ways, including size, but can be distinguished by its black bill with a red base, whereas the common tern has a red bill with a black tip. They derive their name from the subtle, rosy flush that tinges their summer plumage, although this colouration is often much fainter in reality than it appears in photographs, making it challenging to spot. Not having ever seen one it might prove even more challenging for me.
So after a spot of breakfast on the way we parked up and made it round to the sea wall, joining a handful of birders already in place, one of whom we know from previous trips to the south coast - Jeremy Mcclements @jeremymcclemen1. My hopes were dented when we were informed that the birds had already departed out onto the Solent - both juveniles were now flying and not in view. Apparently, it would have been better to come on Wednesday …
While we waited, the colony of little terns entertained us in the lagoon behind, including some of this year's fledglings. In addition to the usual hover and diving technique, they chased around the lagoon and out onto the Solent to fish. They were closer in that when I visited back on 23 April to see the marsh sandpiper - report here. They thrive at this site, consistently delighting all who come to see them.
A shout went up from a chap to our left as he stumbled upon one of the juveniles on a low grassy island about 150m offshore. There were good scope views. Then a second juvenile was spotted not far from the first, but more obscured from view. In a short time, the first bird took to the wing, circled back and joined the second. At this distance there were only ever going to be record shots.
I had my tick but somehow not seeing an adult bird seemed to take some of the shine off - the group all watched out for any returning adults, visiting to feed the juveniles. We waited and checked out many passing common terns, and the occasional sandwich tern.
Behind us a pair of ringed plovers dropped in, a dunlin sat alone - 'Billy no mates' - avocets fed back on our left, a linnet watched us from a fence, and a black-tailed godwit stalked the water's edge.
Hours passed by, no one called any of the adults returning, and it was suspected they were likely visiting but just dropping food to the juveniles as they passed through. I watched as a tern, likely common, flew over the island carrying a fish. I snapped a couple of photos for something to do and then noticed a juvenile joining it. From the photos I could see that the juvenile looked to be one of our roseates, and then noted that the adult bird had a longer black beak and a red base. I checked with knowledgeable friends who confirmed I'd seen an adult - unfortunately after the event - I feel bad now for now calling it, although never having seen one I really wasn't sure. When sea watching I've been told to call everything and not worry about being wrong - better to get everyone on it and check - why I didn't this time I don't know.
We'd been here for almost three hours but had bagged my target bird. Over on the opposite shore half a dozen powerboats passed by, making quite a racket, and presumably creating quite a wake. The United Kingdom Offshore Power Boat Racing Association (UKOPRA) were running the Solent 80 powerboat race, featuring approximately 25 powerboats with competitors expected to be travelling at speeds exceeding 50 knots. The course would began at the Roway Wreck beacon, proceeded to the Pullar buoy, and then circumnavigate the Isle of Wight. Key turning points included St Catherine’s Point, Bridge buoy, North Head, and several other buoys in the Western Solent and its approaches. The race was set to finish near a special mark 3G Cowes Week 2026, located south of the Beaulieu River entrance by 2.00pm.
We returned to the car and noted that the restaurant at the Yacht Haven was full and decided to make our way home but keep our eyes open for a heath we could stop and look around. By Sandy Down, just south of Brockenhurst we could see extensive heathland to the west and drove through to find somewhere to stop - we came across a car park at Longslade View. This is likely the smallest of the car parks overlooking this valley and is accessed via a long, straight track that is heavily potholed; no problem for Kev's car ...
We parked and followed a track that ran parallel to the road we'd come in on, seeing a stonechat at the far end of the car park - lost by the time we set off. Initially we could neither see nor hear any birds but eventually numbers of meadow pipits appeared, along with a handful of skylarks.
We spotted large numbers of small blue butterflies which turned out to be silver-studded blues. These butterflies are a striking and rare species found in specific habitats across the UK and whose presence is an indicator of healthy heathland and grassland ecosystems. They are small, with a wingspan of about 25-31mm, the males have bright blue upper wings with a narrow black border while the females have brown upper wings with orange spots along the edge. Both sexes have a characteristic row of metallic silver-blue spots (studs) on the underside of their hindwings.
They thrive in heathland, calcareous grasslands, and coastal dunes. They are most commonly found in southern England, particularly in Dorset, Surrey, Devon, and here in Hampshire. Smaller populations exist in East Anglia, North Wales, and the Sefton Coast in Merseyside. Adults are usually on the wing from late June to early August.
They often live in small, localised colonies that can be quite isolated from each other - some populations have shown signs of recovery due to dedicated conservation efforts, but the species remains vulnerable and reliant on continued habitat management.
We pushed on, hoping to come across a Dartford warbler, this appearing to be great habitat for them. We continued to see meadow pipits but could see or hear a Dartford. Ahead we spotted a handful of fallow deer who appeared very curious about our presence - they were soon gone.
Kev asked what to do next and I suggested walking on just a bit further to the spot the fallow deer had been, and where I thought you'd be able to look down over the valley. We stopped there with our drinks and watched as a pair of stonechats moved around the gorse bushes.
After five or ten minutes a female kestrel flew up and away, and as I scanned the nearby gorse, I picked out a juvenile Dartford warbler working through. It flew left and we watched for it to reappear, but we were then presented with an adult bird. It remained heavily obscured in the bushes, but we could follow it some of the time, eventually dropping from view. How many times to you pass habitat that you say looks ideal for Dartfords and you wonder if they are actually there? - this was one of those.
We heard a Dartford call and tried to pick it out, at further distance back from our position. The rain started to fall, and we then got onto the bird, stopping long enough for another record shot and view. We started back for the car and the rain stopped as we got halfway - we didn't add anything of note. A cracking day out with a lifer to boot.
Year list: 220
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