It's that exceptionally busy part of the year for us where we're trying to get everything ready before nests are built and eggs are laid! Since I last wrote here, we've started the shingle habitat work out on the Langstone Harbour Islands as well continuing to clear the winter storm debris from the West Hayling Nature Reserve. There's no time to spare though and it really is a race against time at the moment. That being the case, here's a quick update on how fast spring is developing!
The old Oysterbeds in the West Hayling Nature Reserve are once again alive with the sound of Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls noisily setting up home for the summer.
Above: Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls at West Hayling Local Nature Reserve. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Couples are forming and carrying out their courting routines as the annual race for the best nesting spots begins. Although there's not a nest to be seen just yet, it'll only be a matter of weeks before the first eggs appear.
Above: A pair of Black-headed Gulls courting. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Above: Eggs are on the way! (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Above: Likewise, the Mediterranean Gulls are also in a race to get settled and rear chicks. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
As our breeding seabirds begin to settle down, we're also waving a fond farewell to our wintering geese and wildfowl. The Brent Geese have now started departing en-masse for Siberia and we won't be see them again until the Autumn. Last year appears to have been a good one for them with a large percentage of young in the wintering flocks. We can only wish them the best again in their coming breeding season way up in the Eurasian Arctic Circle.
Above: Have a great breeding season guys! Brent Geese are go! (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Above: Thanks for visiting! A Long-tailed Duck at Langstone Harbour. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Above: Have a safe journey north! A male Red-Breasted Merganser on the Oysterbeds Lagoon. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
It's not just our bird life that's going through a metamorphosis though, the other parts of the animal kingdom are making their presence felt on a daily basis.
Above: A Small Tortoiseshell warming up in the spring sun. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Above: Ssssssspring is here. An Adder found at west Hayling. (Photo: Wez Smith).
It would also be unfair not to mention the profusion of plants that are starting to bloom.
Above: The blossom of one of the Prunus species currently blooming. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
Above: Sweet Violets galore. (Photo: Marianne Eagles).
As you can see, everything is now full of life. There are a lot of very interesting things coming up and I can't wait to share them with you. This season has already had it's fair share of surprises and I don't believe for a second that's going to change.
The 2014 breeding season has arrived.