RSPB Pagham Harbour, Sussex

Friday 29 September

It was gone 1 o'clock when we arrived at nearby RSPB Pagham Harbour reserve so first time for our picnic as we watched House Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits along with a Woodpigeon making use of the feeders.

The now flooded harbour channel at RSPB Pagham Harbour

Time to head off to the Ferry Hide where we found that the pool held a number of birds but not as many as last Saturday morning.  Still clear weather but now a stiff breeze blowing in through the open windows in front of us.  Off to the far right a Little Egret with another half-way down the right-hand side of the water and a third at the far back left.  On the water immediately on front of us a lone male Shoveler and further back a number of Teal. to the left of the Teal a small flock of Lapwing and a score or more Black-tailed Godwits.  Needless to say there were a number of Black-headed and three Herring Gulls on the water.

Juvenile Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Behind us at the feeders, a regular supply of both Blue and Great Tits along with very many Greenfinch and Chaffinch plus a quintet of Goldfinches.  Certainly no shortage of House Sparrows and then a Chiffchaff came to feed on the weeded pond cover plus a single Robin.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

Back at the water and checking the adjacent fields we found plenty of Carrion Crows and Rooks plus Woodpigeon and a resting Buzzard on a distant post.  Finally, we found a couple of Jackdaw and then a handful of Rock Doves.  meanwhile, a lone Shelduck had revealed itself on the water plus we also note a couple of Mallard.

Leaving the hide we made a quick walk to the nearby harbour channel where we found a pair of Mute Swans with their three well-grown cygnets.  A couple of Moorhen then crossed the water as we returned to the hide and then on back towards the car park in readiness for our return drive.

The Mute Swan Cygnus olor family

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

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