This plan was scuppered by a Whatsapp message from AR having just found a Whiskered Tern at Posbrook. Despite being a potential UK and Hants tick I didn't react until MF's messages saying it was offshore in a tern feeding flock.
So, over to Hill Head where eight or so birders were uncertain as to where the bird was - but luckily it didn't take too long for me to pick it up with its different flight and feeding technique. Numbers of birders and 'members of the public' increased and social distancing went out the window so I watched from the car although even here people still walked up and passed behind just inches away; I should have parked the car to block the access behind as other do!!
The bird flew over reception and into the Haven where it perched up on various posts, although pushed off a few times by BHGs and Common Terns.
A tatty Red Kite went eastwards over the reserve but nothing else of note.
Photos below all from the roadside fencing looking into the bay and whilst standing here my first dragonfly of the year zipped over, too quick for an ID but looked most likely to be Hairy.
PS The tern made forays up to Posbrook and back during the day, so proving elusive for some; with good weather will it stay into tomorrow?
PPS A quick scan through notes shows in excess of 225 Whiskered Tern records in France, Spain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Lesbos, Gambia, Kenya and China
(Whiskered Tern, handheld with converter and on North Scrape
Redshank
Cormorant only just in frame with 'too much lens'
Grey Heron, inbound and with small eel)
