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Seaview seafront and St. Catherine's Point, Niton, Isle of Wight.
As I was working again on the Isle of Wight today and before my first appointment at 12.30pm, I had a quick look off Seaview seafront for anything unusual. It was a beautiful morning with unbroken sunshine and a very light northerly blowing. The tide was high so I was hoping for something near the rocks, adjacent to Hersey Nature Reserve.
Amongst the Black-headed Gulls, I picked out an adult winter Sandwich Tern perched on one of the groyne posts, preening itself in the bright sunshine. Also amongst Gulls were two adult winter Mediterranean Gulls that scavenged along the seaweed until settling on the beach. A single Rock Pipit walked on and around the rocks but very little else of note.
After my 2pm appointment, I headed off to St. Catherine’s Point for possible Yellow-browed Warbler and such like. No Yellow-broweds unfortunately, but I did find my first Black Redstart of the year by the Lighthouse. I was watching from the small road leading to the Lighthouse when I noticed a small passerine on the roof of one of the lower rooms. Through the scope I could see it was a 1st winter/ female Black Redstart and when I walked down to the entrance gate to the Lighthouse; I got a better opportunity to photograph the bird.
Overhead, there was a swarm of Hirundines with Swallows and House Martens probably in the many hundreds. It was difficult to take your eyes off them incase there was a rarity amongst them but no such luck today. Scanning the hill behind me, a large raptor popped out and on closer scrutiny, it was my first Honey Buzzard of the year but it was a very brief sighting as the bird soared for a couple of seconds, being mobbed by crows all the time, then disappearing back over the hill.
Other sightings included a male Blackcap, a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Green Woodpecker high up on the hill. If I had more time, then I would of probably walked a little further but I had to make a move.
Yesterday, a summer plumaged White Billed Diver was reported off Selsey Bill late afternoon and was still present today apparently. A Blackpoll Warbler is on the Scillies at present, which is very tempting.
Left, one of the adult winter Mediterranean Gulls on the beach at Seaview. Right, the 1st winter/ female Black Redstart by the Lighthouse at St. Catherine' s Point this afternoon.
