I looked out this morning to see a splendid male Sparrowhawk on the winch...it stayed a few minutes before making a dash to the front of the bungalow where it normally snatches a breakfast! I could not confirm whether it was successful!

Later in the morning I made my way to Summer Lane and sample the delights of the local sewage treatment works...this is a real magnet for Pied Wagtails (c50) and Meadow Pipits (c20) and a pair of superb Grey Wagtails and a Chiffchaff.  In the fields beyond I picked out the long staying Whooper Swans when, as I did so a huge flock of Brents came in from the harbour and landed in an adjacent field....there must have been 2000+.

As this week it is school half term, I took my grandaughter to Pulborough Brooks yesterday and had superb close up views of the Water Rail from the centre window and later watched the resident Bullfinches

A cold and dreary morning.

A bunch of birders still waiting in anticipation for the Paddyfield Warbler showing up, but although it had been seen at 8.00a.m. it hadn't been seen again at the time of my visit, just before noon.

Back on the Lagoon the RH Smew was showing well and was keeping close company with a female Goldeneye in front of Laguna.

A smart drake Goldeneye was attended by 7 females in the harbour entrance channel at 8.30am...he was VERY attractive! (Sorry - no photo.)

A single Slavonian Grebe off the beach...but if visiting beware several distant Gt Cresteds!

Pagham in Winter...never take it for granted.

....from the living room window....5 Slavonian Grebes on the sea

...on and around the Lagoon....Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, 50 Med Gulls,Water Rail, Pochard,Tufted Duck,Gadwall but no Smew this morning

...from Spit Hide...Superb Drake Goldeneye plus several females and Pintail, plus big flocks of Knot, plus, plus !

....from North Wall...Paddyfield Warbler showing well in the 'tyre bush' (beware Wren and Stonechat sharing the bush! ) and a Black Brant  in with the main Brent flock.

Some of the Med Gulls on the spit...one in summer plumage.

One 'Paddy' visitor remarked  that I was very lucky living in a place like this...I suppose he was  right!

New signs and a Smew!

 We arrived at the Pagham Harbour Information Centre at just the right moment this morning!!


Its out with the old....

Down...

...and out!

..and its in with the new

..is that level?

..perfect, and RSPB Pagham Harbour is  installed.

 Back on the Lagoon the reported Redhead Smew was showing well from the boardwalk (thank you Peter Callis! ) and despite poor light I was able to get a few photos.

 

Twitcher watching!

There were about 30/40 twitchers at the Paddyfield Warbler site this morning  and although I failed to see it, the bird apparently afforded good, albeit distant views, shortly after mid-day on  the other side of Breech Pool.
Shown below, mainly for amusement, are some of the expectant crowd.

Where are the owners?

 Unusually, an Avocet was swimming on the Lagoon with Med Gulls....that's a 'first' for me on the Lagoon!

How appropriate!!

A bit distant but no 'proper' camera with me this morning.Try left clicking.

With the RSPB having just taken over the day to day running of Pagham Harbour  last week maybe the arrival  of 12 Avocets in front of the Spit Hide  this morning was all part of their  management plan!

Its official... the RSPB Pagham Harbour Reserve!!

I heard yesterday that final negotiations had been finalised and as from midnight the RSPB would take over the day to day running of the nature reserve
'Meet the RSPB' days are planned to take place in the Spring to learn more about the ongoing plans...all very interesting and we await developments.

A cold morning (-5c) and another look for the Paddy Warbler drew a blank..however the frozen waste was worth a picture.

From the sluice gate....North wall

...and another

...just some of the Brent flock over the fields.