A Courtship Dance in the Sky – Common Terns at Hayling Island Oyster Beds

On the 3rd of May 2025, I had the privilege of witnessing something truly special during a visit to the Hayling Island Oyster Beds on the south coast of the UK. Among the calls of waders and the gentle sound of waves, a pair of Common Terns performed an aerial ballet that captured both my attention and my lens.

These two elegant birds were engaged in a courtship flight — a ritual as beautiful as it is vital. Twisting and turning effortlessly in mid-air, they mirrored each other's movements with an almost choreographed grace. Their sharp, high-pitched calls echoed over the water as they danced together against the wind, strengthening their pair bond in preparation for the breeding season.

Moments like these are why I carry my camera wherever I go. Photographing wildlife isn’t just about getting a sharp image; it’s about telling a story — capturing behaviour, emotion, and fleeting glimpses of nature's rhythms that many may never get the chance to see. To witness such a display of instinct and connection in the wild was both humbling and exhilarating.

Hayling Island Oyster Beds is a fantastic location for observing coastal birdlife, and during the spring and summer months, it becomes a vital nesting site for species like the Common Tern. If you’re a birder or photographer, it’s well worth a visit — just be sure to bring patience, a long lens, and a sense of wonder.

Until next time, I’ll keep chasing those moments that remind me why I fell in love with wildlife photography in the first place.