RSPB Pagham Harbour

Friday 7 March

Still light rain when collected by Richard Osman jut after 9 am for our visit to RSPB Pagham Harbour, south of Chichester.  However, upon arriving perfectly dry as they had received no overnight or early morning rain.  With a present rat problem in the feeding area in front of the Visitors Centre no feeders  but still a visit from both a Great Tit and Dunnock. 

Straight off to the Ferry Pool where the neighbouring feeders were being well attended by Greenfinches, Chaffinch, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits along with Dunnock, Robin and Jackdaw.  On the Ferry pool itself mainly Shoveler with eight Shelduck resting on the far bank. On the right shore a Coot, Mallard and a good number of Lapwing along with a handful of Black-tailed Godwits.  Just a few Black-headed Gulls on the water until I also found a handful of Teal  top right of the pool and behind them on a muddy pool a score of Wigeon.  A pair of Mute Swans in the distant field off to the left and overhead a quartering Marsh Harrier and a passing Carrion Crow.  Even a Skylark soaring at the back back of the water.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Checking the nearby river at low tide we found eight Redshank and three Moorhen before taking the anti-clockwise circuit back to the Visitors Centre and recording Magpie, Kestrel and more Jackdaws.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Next a short drive to Sidlesham Quay to park the car and then a walk up to and through Halsey's Farm to the North Wall in search of the roosting Long-eared Owls that have been seen for the past week. Approaching the farm lots of Rooks and Carrion Crows with  Buzzard overhead.  Checking the far trees we found a quintet of resting Linnets plus a Magpie and nearing the start of of North Wall a stop to check the bird life in the large pools to our left.  Mainly Teal and Wigeon but a pair of Mallard and a single Little Grebe.  A male Reed Bunting flew in front of us to pause atop a small bush and a Moorhen out in an appearance.

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Once on the North Wall we found a foraging Chiffchaff on the far side of the water and the no less than seventeen Curlews on the first open field on the far side of the water to our left (inland) side of the wall. Two Herons flew across and we found four more out on the mud flats along with another Curlew.

Curlew Numenius arquata

We have been given very specific instructions for where to find the roosting Long-eared Owl and told it was very difficult to find being low down below an ivy-coloured tree behind some tall, yellow grass.  The flattened grass at the side of the path atop the wall was a give-away from were to stand and search but still no luck.  A couple of birders joined us from walking the opposite direction and eventually, by moving about three yards further on, I finally found the Long-eared Owl and then spent much time trying to get the other three where to focus their attention.  The bird was not showing well and only with the occasional breeze moving the grass, about five yards away directly below us, were we able to see the pair of dark eyes looking out at us and the mottled face makings.  Richard managed to find the bird when I described the colouration of its ears and, at that moment, the grasses slightly parted to give him a better view.  Not really successful from a photographic point of view but it is behind the grasses shown in the photograph!

Find the Long-eared Owl Asio otus!

Time to return to the car and on the way were told about the large number of Yellowhammers and Stonechats seen near the RSPB Medmerry car park in Earley. So off we went but not before finding the Buzzard resting atop a tree close to Halseys Farm and coming across five Blackbirds between there and Sidlesham.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Upon arrival we walk a full mile out and back along the farm track without sight of a single bird other than a passing Carrion Crow but under the continuous singing of Skylarks.  However, no sooner had I got back to the car and looking up saw a beautiful male Yellowhammer sitting at the top of the adjacent tree! And before driving away a quartet of Linnets atop the next tree.

Having passed a handsome cock Pheasant on the way, our final stop was for ten minutes at Chichester Marina where we found Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen and Coot along with magpie, Herring Gull and Woodpigeon. In the end a most enjoyable day, especially given the sighting of both Long-eared Owl and Yellowhammer. 

Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl, Skylark, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer.

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