Cattle Egret...what Cattle Egret?

Well, it was reported with the cattle in the field adjacnt to the Breach Pool yesterday afternoon but alas, the cows weren't there this morning and neither was the Egret. The Kingfisher put in a very brief appearance at a distance....

 ..but despite waiting for it to return to the 'usual' post the wait was in vain. Nevertheless it was good to meet up with Dave and Martin and no doubt they will have some splendid shots on their blogs. Grrrrr!
 A late afternoon foray to photograph a pair of Stonechats that have been present on the spit for the past few days proved challenging....dog walkers, cyclists etc but in the end I did get some reasonable shots. In fact there are now two pairs and although initially quite skittish seemed to get used to me with time and eventually I managed to get a few shots at a reasonably close distance. Great birds, especially in the late afternoon sunshine!

Initially quite hidden

but eventually accepting my presence.

Big yawn!

On the Lagoon the winter birds are arriving with Brents, Teal and Wigeon accompanying the Mallards,Tufted Ducks and numerous Little Grebes.

A few of the Brents...

Teal with Tufted Duck and Mallard.

Make the most of the Autumn sunshine...its all about to change!

Following yesterdays excitement with the appearance of a Wryneck there were many visiting birders but THE bird failed to show up.

However, there was plenty to see, both in the bushes and on the mudflats...all  well reported on the Birding on the Selsey  Peninsula blog.

There were a number of Chiffchaffs around the Lagoon area together with a  Stonechat....

... in early morning sunshine.

Chiffchaff...one of several.

Further along the North Wall there was a Little Grebe in the usual spot...I just liked the reflections!

and a number of Moorhens ...tree climbing!

 Unusually, there was a Sanderling in Whites Creek which reminded me of my holiday in Suffolk last week where I also found a couple of Sanderling on a weed covered outfall in company of a single Purple Sandpiper...

Sanderlings (juveniles) at Minsmere and below the Purple Sandpiper.

Bearded Tits...Minsmere

Spotted Redshank...Minsmere

Snipe in front of East Scrape hide Minsmere.

Wryneck along North Wall, Pagham!!!!

We have just arrived back from a week in Suffolk and in  todays blog I was going to put  a few photos from our highlights but an early walk along the wall has changed the priority. I had just spent an hour photographing a Kingfisher before strolling along the wall when I saw Jim Weston waving to me....he had seen a WRYNECK! We spent the next 20 minutes in vain searching and then Owen Mitchell joined us but still no sign. 
Another search further along and then....'.it' flew towards us and perched obligingly in a hawthorn.
A few shots before it flew back from whence it had come. Many thanks, Jim!!

This was just a lucky shot...but what a tongue!

...but what about the Kingfisher?

...a good morning not to mention five Spotted Redshanks, four or more Curlew Sandpipers, Black Tailed Godwits, Snipe etc. etc.
Our holiday snaps will have to wait another day!

North Wall...yet another visit!

Another early start in search of migrants. A few warblers about along the bushes but not in any quantity....

A juvenile Whitethroat in the hawthorn...no shortage of berries this year!

....and then a Sedge Warbler on the top of a bush...

...or is it? When I saw this on the screen I had second thoughts...any thoughts anyone?

On to Macrocarpa copse where a Heron was having trouble with the local Corvidae...

He stood his ground and eventually they pushed off!

Teal....included because I like the colour of the water!

...and then on the return  5 Whinchats were showing well on the fence the other side of Breach Pool.

The highlight though was meeting Andy House who had spotted a distant WRYNECK!! Sitting quite still in a Hawthorn but highlighted by the sun...much too far away for even a record shot....but a really good bird to see! Thanks Andy (and for peering through your X60 Swarowski!)

p.s. Yesterday evening at 6.10 pm 5 Brent Geese flew over the bungalow and headed for the harbour....my first of this Autumn.

North Wall....again!

Early start today....North Wall by 7.00am to ensure low lighting!
Yes...the Curlew Sandpipers were there.... in two parties...one of three birds and further down White's Creek, four birds.

Curlew Sandpipers in the early morning sunshine.

...all fluffed up!

Wading.

Several  Black Tailed Godwits were feeding nearby and this one obligingly stretched its wings just to show a slightly different angle for the photo.

Along the pathway besides the Breach Pool there was a small flock of Reed Buntings...here's just one, now in winter plumage.

.

 

The resident Curlew was in the usual spot.

...and a Cormorant was drying its wings, again in his/her usual spot!

Just as I was returning, Jim Weston was starting out on his regular circular walk and pointed out a distant Kingfisher.... a good bird to finish up with.