RSPB Pagham Harbour and Medmerry

 Friday 23 August

RSPB Medmerry

A lovely sunny start to the day following last night's storms but still a strong wind that did, at least, fall back a little by late morning.  Off early with Richard Osman and arrived at RSPB Pagham Harbour a few minutes after 9.  Lots of food on offer at the feeding station and immediately a number of Greenfinch plus Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits.  A charm of at least two dozen Goldfinches visited the area and also lots of Woodpigeon and a sole Collared Dove about as we moved on down to the hide overlooking the lake. 

At first the lake looked almost deserted until we noticed the well-concealed birds resting on the edge to our right. Many Black-tailed Godwit and Mallard plus a handful of Teal and Avocet.  A few Lapwing also present and at the far end both a Heron and Little Egret. Just the one herring and a few Black-headed Gulls to be seen.  The feeding station opposite the hide saw the feeders almost flapping about in the wind but it did not stop visits from both Blue and Great Tits along with a couple of House Sparrow and Chaffinch.  More Goldfinches were seen.

Walking the few yards to the river at low tide we picked up many more Mallard plus Little Egret and a couple of Redshank and a handful of Black-headed Gulls.  making our way back to the car park  Cormorant flew over the lake and a pair of carrion crows were seen departing from the trees ahead of us.

Next the three mile drive over to neighbouring RSPB Medmerry where we were once again greeted by the first of very many Woodpigeon and a couple of Barn Swallows.  Just before reaching the first view point looking down at the empty expanse of mudflats and grassy meadow, a Kestrel was seen to rise and depart before we observed a number of Black-headed Gulls and many Woodpigeon, both on the ground and in the neighbouring trees.  To the back we counted a grand total of 280 Canada Geese along with both a Little Egret and a Herring Gull. The Starling flock totalled around seventy and moving on through the gorse we came across our first Linnet of the morning followed by a small charm of Goldfinch.

Resting Heron Ardea cinerea, Canada Geese Branta canadensis and Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

A pair of Carrion Crow were seen atop the brick barn to our right and then we arrived above the large lake below us to our right.  Here another forty Canada Geese along with hundreds of Starling and many Mallard plus a Gadwall and handful of Teal.  Four Moorhen and three Coot along with both a Heron and Little Egret before noting the dozen or so Lapwing.  Away to our left on the opposite side of the track a further 21 Cormorants were resting on the bank of the now empty river.

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo and Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

The walk to the beach itself produced nothing new and as we made our way back to the above lake more Barn Swallows were noted.  Then a pair of Oystercatcher flew in to rest and away behind the old buildings just beyond the lake a passing Marsh Harrier.  Continuing on back towards the car park a Magpie was heard below us to our left and then a second seen as we approached the first viewing point. Finally, as left the track to the the footpath into the car park a couple of Greenfinch atop a small tree and once at the car itself a Wren in the scrub and thick bushes behind us giving a total species of 33 for the morning.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Distant Isle of Wight from Medmerry beach

Medmerry beach

Distant Portsmouth from Medmerry beach

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