New Years Eve.....a good day!!

Although dull, cloudy and cold and not suitable for photography it was an interesting quick walk around Pagham Spit this morning....my local patch.
Firstly several Mediterranean Gulls on the Lagoon and then a pair of Avocets in the harbour. The Purple Sandpiper seen a few weeks ago is back on the 'little' lagoon and showing very well at the eastern end. On the sea a Red Throated Diver was fising just off the shingle bank and all the usual waders with distant flocks of Golden plovers on the mudbanks in the harbour. Ducks included Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Pintail, Goldeneye and a few distant Red breasted Mergansers.

Thats it for 2008....Happy New Year to all my readers ...all 2 of you!!!!!

Christmas Day on Pagham Beach

No sign of a White Christmas here on the beach but 2 large flocks of Brent geese have just headed over the bungalow to feeding grounds near Elmer. 3 Shelducks have flown in off the sea and apart from a few Black Headed Gulls and a couple of Carrion Crows there is not much else about...at least not looking out from the comfort of a warm home! Mind you there is a bird in the oven and its starting to smell good!!
Happy Christmas to Everyone and make sure you get out this afternoon for a brisk walk...and don't forget your binoculars!

Appreciation!

I was up and out before the sun arose this morning which isn't difficult as we are approaching the shortest day ! The Brent Geese were returning to their feeding grounds, Curlews were calling and Turnstone were scuttling about almost under my feet as the sun came up. Red Breasted Mergansers fed in the harbour mouth and Wigeon were whistling whilst the Teal were 'squeaking' in the shallows...all was peace and I was just thankful I was here ...what better place to be on a morning like today!

A Dull Morning?

Pagham Beach is really dull this morning...dull and cold but windless. From my window I can see 2 Eider Ducks feeding quite close to the shoreline and several Great Crested Grebes.
Having walked to the harbour entrance and spoken to a chap with a GPS monitoring the beach movement following a storm over the past weekend all I noted was a Peregrine on New Island, several Red Breasted Mergansers and a few female Goldeneye.The usual Brents,Wigeon,Teal and Pintail were present plus the gulls which included a few Mediterranean Gulls. Waders were much in evidence with Grey Plovers, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew all present.
So although dull and looking pretty miserable the birdlife certainly brightened the place up...Pagham harbour never fails to please a birder!!

Birds NOT seen on Pagham Beach!!

Having just returned from a few days in Suffolk I realised just how many species we don't see here on the beach! Treecreepers, Marsh Tits, Bitterns, Siskins but then I looked out the window overlooking the sea and there, just in front of me 2 Slavonian Grebes and a pair of Velvet Scoters!! Wow...its good to be back despite the wonder of Minsmere!

An early start....rewarded!

Last night I was walking alongside the eastern side of Pagham Harbour when I glanced over the fields and saw a Short Eared Owl flying low in 'huntingmode'. A magnificent sight and I wanted a photo, so this morning I was up and out before the sun rose and sure enough the owl was patrolling the field searching for his breakfast! The light wasn't good and he was at a fair distance but after several attempts I managed to get a 'record' shot.
Later in the morning ...another 'record' shot'...this time the elusive Purple Sandpiper which had appeared in the harbour about 10 days ago but now was on the Little Lagoon feeding alongside a Grey plover. A nice bird which I had previously seen some years ago on the Little Lagoon but more often has turned up on the shoreline in the company of Turnstones. Whilst watching and admiring this arctic traveller I met a birder who had moved into the area about 12 months ago and we both agreed we were really fortunate to be living in an area so rich in birdlife and yet so near to our everyday needs!! ...and we shared the fact that every day was different..the birds, the sea and the light and we never knew what to expect...Pagham never disappoints!