Up until relatively recently there was only one kind of gull to me...a seagull, the kind that stole my chips on the beach. Most grey coloured sea birds also fell into the ‘seagull’ category. How wrong I was.
When I started working for the RSPB 2 years ago, a world of wildlife opened up to me. Birds I had never even noticed before became fascinating, plants popped up that may have looked pretty dull but had amazing histories full of potions, poisons and folktale.
RSPB Langstone Harbour has introduced a new bird to me. The little tern. I started my role here as People Engagement Officer 3 weeks ago and already this little bird has enthralled me.
The RSPB manages the islands out in the harbour and also the West Hayling Local Nature Reserve. This reserve is fantastic because it is so easily accessible, just off the Hayling Billy Line and it holds within it a sight that is well worth a closer look.
The seabird colony at West Hayling LNR supports 1149 black-headed gull nests, an amazing cacophony of squarks and screeches comes from the islands that are home to these noisy birds. The place is filled with drama, even more so now as the chicks start to hatch and tiny balls of fluff are starting to run around, begging for food from their parents.
Flying above all this activity are common terns (see photo by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)). At first glance these are similar to the black-headed gulls but on closer inspection are much more elegant with their pointed wings and tails and a smart black cap and red bill. They are looking to set up home but finding a space in this colony is not for the fainthearted.
As the colony demands our attention, a tiny bird can sneak in without much notice but if you know where to look, you will have a chance of seeing the little terns. They have taken a liking to the new shingle we put down on the back bund and have been hanging out there on and off for a couple of weeks now. The first time I spotted one on the shingle I was so excited! Little terns are a rare sight throughout Britain and the fact that they are here is down to a lot of hard work but also a little luck.
So on this day, the International Biodiversity Day I am celebrating our ‘seagulls’... not so boring after all.