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

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