RSPB Medmerry, Sussex

Friday 29 September

Perfect weather for birding, so after collecting friend Richard Osman from Park Gate we were at RSPB Medmerry near Selsey Bill before 10.30 and in time to reach the first viewing point overlooking the rapidly filling channel whilst still a few waders about.  From the car park we had already recorded Woodpigeon and a number of Carrion Crows mobbing a resting Kestrel atop a telephone poll whilst immediately opposite a Robin was carousing us from a bare tree.

Medmerry reserve seen from the first viewing point

A lone Little Egret watched us approach the scene before making its departure whilst below at the water's edge a solitary Greenshank was feeding.  Within minutes it had been joined by a single Redshank. Further away many Teal and a handful of Mallard plus a pair of Mute Swans which, too, made their departure and flew over us towards a neighbouring water.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A distant Kingfisher was spotted which then flew much nearer to come to rest close to the only Black-headed Gull in sight.  Meanwhile, there seemed to be a constant movement of Barn Swallows as if in pairs they continued on their migration route.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Continuing on along the path overlooking the water the next viewing point we had a number of Robins and Chiffchaff in the trees to or right. A Magpie was seen below us and on a distant, small bare tree in the water a Merlin took flight and passed overhead. Time also to note a couple of Herring Gull, quickly followed by the first of the morning's Blackbirds. No sooner had we observed a small flock of passing Starlings then we came across a very large flock of Linnets which continued to forage on the fields between us and the water.

Distant Kingfisher Alcedo atthis with Back-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Our final viewing point overlooked the filling estuary in front of us and to the right a large pool had a score or more Canada Geese along with Coots, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck and a single Great Black-backed Gull.  In addition to the dozen resting Cormorant, more were found on the other side of the track resting at the water's edge.

Making our return journey we stopped to admire the trio of feeding Roe Deer and also noted the the movement of a quintet of Meadow Pipits.  Continuing onwards a field away to our left held a mixed feeding flock of Rooks and Carrion Crows.  A Cetti's Warbler was calling from behind the gorse bushes near some water and a distant Buzzard drifted away.  Back at the car park we added Rock Dove and on a short walk along the road also picked up both House Sparrow and Blue Tit.

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen, Coot, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Redshank Tringa totanus

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