It’s spring time, and a new lease of life is shining down with the sun on the Hayling Oysterbed reserve. Flowers are blooming in the earth, bringing with them a splash of colour among the green, and the air is filled with the somewhat ‘bubbly’ call of courting Common terns. Black-headed gulls wander around busily collecting materials to build their nest, ready to settle down and incubate their eggs. And all the while, I stand by the side observing these wonderful events unfold, feeling incredibly privileged. Allow me to introduce myself – my name is Chantelle Barry and I am the new Visitor Experience Officer who will be tending to this wonderful little wildlife haven for the next five months. If you see me around, swaddled in RSPB uniform and adorning various optics (binoculars, scopes, maybe sunglasses?Let’s hope anyway!), then don’t be afraid to come and have a chat.
Anyway, lets get back to business. Our local Black-headed gulls have now constructed their nests and can be seen snuggling down readying themselves for the arrival of the hatchlings, of which they can have up to three, and these take approximately 35 days to fledge. The little chicks start off life relatively confined to the nest, sticking close to mum and dad and making sure they are there for the next meal. After about a week from hatching, the chicks find their feet and will begin to wander around, becoming more confident and more vocal! This progresses until the chicks are beginning to learn how to fly, taking short leaps that eventually transition into short flights, all staying within the relative safety of the islands. By around the 35th day, the chicks are usually airborne, ready to take wing alongside their parents.
Black-headed gulls alongside some downy chicks
But the Black-headed gull is somewhat wrongly named. If you look closely at the colour of their heads, you may notice that it is more of a chocolate brown than a true black (perhaps they should have been named the Chocolate-headed gull instead?). If whilst searching through the gulls on the island you do notice several with jet black heads and bright orange beaks, chances are you have spotted a Mediterranean gull. This species was relatively rare in the UK until the 1950’s, when the core population of Mediterranean gulls based around the black sea underwent an expansion into other European countries. There is no doubt that the difference between the species is quite striking, so you should be able to spot some Meds in amongst the rabble.
The distinct plumage of the Mediterranean gull. (Photo courtesy of Marianne Eagles)
Why not practice and see if you can spot the Mediterranean Gull in the above picture? (Photo courtesy of Dawn Thompson)
The Common terns have also begun to make an appearance around the Oysterbed islands, filling the air with their electrifying 'kip-kip-kip' and 'keeee-yarrr' calls, and the best way of spotting the Common terns when down on the reserve at the moment is just to look up. You will notice the difference in these birds compared to the gulls straight away - the body of a tern is a lot more slender with gracefully pointed wings, and the movements are much more agile and nimble, earning them the name of 'Sea swallows'. The males are currently putting on their Sunday best and attempting to 'woo' the females, grabbing the biggest and best fish from the Solent and brandishing them in their beaks, in the hopes that the female of their choice will find this gift irresistible. I can't say that this particular trick would work for me, but it seems to go down well with the Common tern ladies. I guess we all have our quirks!
Courting Common terns -this lady was obviously impressed with her fish gift. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Whitmarsh)
The Common terns can be found at the Oysterbed islands between the months of April and September, but to get here they have undergone a hefty migration. These little birds travel all the way from the coasts of Western South Africa to come and breed around the coast of the UK, so they certainly deserve a little bit of recognition!
With so much to see and hear happening at the Hayling Island Oysterbeds right now, why not pay them a visit? If you look closely, who knows what you might see...