Sandwich Tern

After a morning's chores, we had a short walk this afternoon.

Fascinating watching the sandwich terns fishing. They were using the markers at the head of each defensive groin, to espy small surface feeding fish. From that height they would quickly dive into the water to catch one. 

It's usually their sound which draws attention - they are not the quietest of birds. But they are much more graceful than gulls - no wonder they used to be called sea swallows. Sandwich terns are our largest terns - they arrive from their wintering quarters in May, and head back fairly soon to the west side of Africa - right down to the Cape of Good Hope. They require shallow water with sandy bottoms and plenty of small surface dwelling fish. This bit of coast seems to suit them.

I like this shot. The marker looks like an outsized table lamp. And beyond across The Solent is the Needles lighthouse, the westernmost point on the Isle of Wight.

The extra is Hurst Castle, at the end of Hurst Spit, which guards the western approach to The Solent. It originated in Henry VIII's reign. The walk to it is a bit tiring - shingle is not the easiest material to walk over.