The last day of 2008.

2 flocks of Knot roosting at high tide on the shingle bank...probably totalling in excess of 600 birds. At least 40 Skylarks feeding along the edge of the Little Lagoon...always nice to see considering their reduced numbers countrywide.

30 Turnstone plus Redshanks and Grey Plover also feeding beside the Lt Lagoon. 17 Shelducks viewed from the 'spit' hide plus a single adult Med Gull.
A huge flock of Lapwing was 'put up' in the distance towards Sidlesham and about 2/300 Golden Plover wheeled above them.
Weather much colder today with a brisk N/E wind blowing, making it feel much colder than the 42F.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR
to all my Blog followers.

Cold weather movements

A quick look around Pagham Lagoon and the Spit before the heavy rain set in showed that a considerable number of ducks had arrived from the frozen North. 7 Goldeneye on the Little Laggon was unusual (6 females and 1 lucky male...flirting! ) and Red Breasted Mergansers plus a few more Goldeneyes on the main Lagoon. Teal and Wigeon predominated but Pintail were also much in evidence.
Reports from my son that Redwings were visiting his garden in Worthing prompted nme to look out for them here in Pagham but to no avail.
Most surprising was a Song Thrush in full song in a tree to the north of the Lagoon!

A Christmas Eve quick walk around the Pagham Spit

On Pagham Lagoon this morning 7 Goldeneye ...3 Males and 4 Females...the males displaying to the females with their characteristic head jerking, eye catching appeal! There were also 3 Ruddy ducks with their heads tucked firmly under their wings but their 'stiff tails' drawing my attention to them.

There are now 2 Slavonian Grebes in the harbour entrance and the Knot flock has grown considerably...5/600+

..and finally I wish all my blogger friends a very Happy Christmas.

A cold, cold day!

An early morning walk around Pagham Spit proved how cold it had been overnight with the rock pools along the beach frozen and displaying some wonderful ice scapes!




....and late afternoon a promise of another cold night.

Black Brant !!

Black Brant (in foreground)

This was todays highlight viewable from the North Wall adjacent to the Salthouse...the distinctive white necklace almost touching at the back of the neck. Several Rock Pipits were present together with a splendid Grey Wagtail. The 'dog walk' along Slipe Field produced unusually high numbers of Yellowhammers.

Back from Suffolk

Having been chasing Dartford warblers on Dunwich Heath and White Fronted Geese at North Warren and not locating the Bean Geese recently sighted we are now back at Pagham.A quick check of the harbour showed the Slavonian Grebe still here and big flocks of Golden Plover plus Wigeon and Teal a plenty!

Slavonian Grebe in Harbour entrance

A superb morning

Sunrise from the patio

After a moonlit night dawn was just perfect! No wind,dry,bright and not too cold! A quick visit to the harbour entrance revealed that the Slavonian Grebe was still present. After breakfast it was time to check on the North Wall and besides the huge numbers of Black Tailed Godwits, Wigeon and Teal 7 Bearded Tits spiralled upwards, 'pinging' as they headed north east...a real treat. Brent Geese numbers have increased dramatically and the shot below shows just part of a huge flock on a field near the sewage treatment works where a Black Redstart was present along with the Pied Wagtails

A gruesome sight!

I managed to get out between the showers this morning and saw my first Slavonian Grebe in the harbour just to the west of the Spit hide.
As I made my way along the harbour entrance I suddenly became aware of a face looking at me ....and then I discovered it was the head of a fox poking through one of the many rusty holes of the iron retaining wall. On closer inspection I found that the body was hanging down on the inside of the sea wall in perfect condition. It must of been trapped by the incoming night tide and tried to escape through the hole but had become completely wedged. Poor thing must have stuggled in a vain effort to escape. I couldn't release it as it was totally jammed but will return later with a suitable implement to push it back through the hole.

What a contrast in the weather!

Frost on breakwater....Pagham Harbour entrance

After the continual battering of gale force winds of the past few days, (weeks even!) it was a pleasant to enjoy a dead still ,sunny morning and a first frost.
Huge flocks of waders were wheeling throughought the harbour comprising Knot, Dunlin and Golden Plover whilst the sea was like a millpond with just a few Great Crested Grebes enjoying the peace.

Knot flock with Chichester Cathederal in the background...click to see full size