Friday, 22 March 2024

RSPB Pagham Harbour

Friday 22 March

Resting Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Following a morning's walk around Chichester and its cathedral, there was time for a slight diversion on the way back to Warsash to call in at RSPB Pagham Harbour for 45 minutes between the light showers, with a passing Buzzard overhead as we approached the reserve. Dull, poor light but, nevertheless, a good number of birds on Fleet Pool.  Lots of Shoveler and Teal along with six Shelduck and a quartet of Mallard.  Also present at least fifty Black-tailed Godwit, thirty Avocet, a Curlew and a departing Snipe.  Gulls were mainly Black-headed on the water along with a single great Black-backed Gull plus a handful of Herring Gulls on the grass to my right.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa in summer plumage

Beyond the water a pair of Mute Swans were resting on the grass and a Magpie and Carrion Crows along with a score of Woodpigeon were also noted.  Behind the hide there was no shortage of seed available in the feeding station which attracted Robin, Dunnock and both Blue and Great Tits. I had already recorded Blackbird, Wren and Goldfinch as I walked towards the hide.  A lone Chaffinch was singing atop the tree to the side of the small pool.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Taking the anti-clockwise circuit back to the Visitors Centre via the river and woodland trail I found a pair of Moorhen on the water plus a single Wigeon.  A lone Lapwing rose from a ditch and disappeared over to the far side.  Just before tuning into the trees I noted the lone Little Egret behind the grassy bank to my right.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Once back at the Visitors Centre plenty of Great Tits on the feeders plus a few House Sparrows and a male Chaffinch.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta 

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Avocet, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Resting Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with three Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Curlew Numenius arquata

Distant Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

No comments:

Post a Comment