Pagham Harbour

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia in flight

Friday 1 March

St David's Day, so no way, despite my present walking difficulties, was I not going out birding.  So, accompanied by friend Richard Osman we drove over to RSPB Pagham Harbour just inland from Selsey Bill.  A mixture of sunshine and showers, and the latter often of heavy downpours of hail, and both accompanied by the strong, cold wind.  Arriving at the reserve the rain stopped so time to check out the feeding station which provided House Sparrow, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits plus a Sparrowhawk patrolling the lower bushes in search of a tasty meal!

On down to the Ferry Hide overlooking the lagoon on the opposite side of the main road where a good number o birds were gathered and with the tide just starting to turn a number of Redshank feeding on the muddy banks of the river beyond the hide plus a pair  of both Moorhen and Coot.

Pagham lagoon from the hide

Back on the lagoon the southern side held scores of Shoveler and Teal sheltering under the bank whilst on the opposite, northern side mainly Wigeon along with a few Teal and a small flock of Black-headed Gulls sheltering there.  A lone Little Egret was also resting close by.  On the water a trio of Shelduck but also almost thirty feeding Avocets.

Avocets Recirvirostra avosetta

Scanning the area a Magpie was noted at the back of the area and even further away a pair of Mute Swans.  Off to the right a handful of Woodpigeon.  Finally, the visiting Spoonbill was found feeding in the left corner in front of us but with a very restricted view.  However, upon returning to the hide after walking out along the far bank towards the harbour itself, the Spoonbill had moved further out and now visible near the sheltering Shoveler before taking to the air, circling the water and finally returning to its hidden corner s before.  Also noted on the water were a few Coot and a pair of Mallard.

Shovelers Anas clypeata and Teal Anas crecca sheltering below the bank

The feeding station at the back of the hide was quite active with visits from, mainly, Chaffinches but also Greenfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock and Great and Blue Tits.  In addition, upon arriving at the hide Richard noted the Wren resting on the lowest bar of the neighbouring fence.

The walk along the bank above the "empty" river produced scores of Redshank along with a distant small flock of Wigeon.  On a small, reeded pool between the bank and the river a half-dozen Tufted Duck were recorded.  On the sodden fields to our right a cock Pheasant and a pair of Little Egret.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

As stated at the beginning, we did indeed receive a couple of short, heavy showers but on both occasions managed to be safely sheltered in the hide! A most pleasant morning followed by a welcome pint in the local Crab and Lobster public house.

Wigeon Anas penelope with Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia with Shovelers

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

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