Back to Pagham from a quick continental break.

I have just returned from a 'non birding' holiday in Holland and Belgium and first thing this morning paid a visit to the North Wall. I was interested to note that Jim Western had reported  hearing/seeing a  Grasshopper Warbler but alas no sign of it this morning. As it happened I met Jim on a walk to Medmery, loaded with plenty of water....rather him than me on a day like today!
However, it was a superb morning and still quite cool when I arrived at 7.00am...Cettis and Reed Warblers were very vocal. A dozen Black Tailed Godwits were feeding in the pool, resplendent in summer plumage! A few were sporting rings. The only other waders I saw were 2 Dunlin...also in summer plumage and 10 or so Lapwings and two Redshanks. A Greenshank was calling in the harbour.

Back up to the Spit hide and the only birds of note were 22 Curlews.

In the garden a surprise....the Mallard had laid another 3 eggs in the alley way but the bird was nowhere to be seen. Like the 2 laid previously this year I suspect nothing will come of it and doubtless the eggs will disappear one night probably to a fox or rodent.

Incidentally, although not a birding holiday it is difficult not to note the various birdlife. It generally seemed very quiet but a lot of Black Redstarts were noted in both town (Verviers) and countryside (High Fens in Belgium); Buzzards common and just one Red Kite. In Maastricht whilst watching an outside concert the 'screaming' of hundreds of Swifts overhead was indeed memorable! On the way home two Common Crane were seen just west of Dunkerque.