The last Swallow?

Up early before sunrise to locate the Short Eared Owl that's reportedly been lurking on the Spit for a little while. The only birds of note however, were a pair of  Peregrines that streaked across the harbour from Church Norton, then flew the whole length of the spit trying for a wader before both turning 360 degrees and then gaining height and heading back from whence they had come.
A single Spoonbill was feeding right in the middle of the harbour.

Next port of call....the North wall to find the Kingfisher in an attempt to get a photo of the bird with a fish in its beak which has alluded me to date! No sign of the Kingfisher let alone 'with fish in beak'.
Big flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover and a calling Spotted Redshank. However a chat with local birders Andy and Peter fuelled my desire to get across to Medmerry to locate the Black Redstarts and Great Norther Diver. The forecast indicated that today was the best day of the week and the light was good so I was off.

The tide was rushing in through the breach and the water was high but although  the Great Northen was present, it was very distant and could only just be made out with binoculars...

Distant Great Northern Diver

The Black Redstarts however were a little more obliging and did enable a few almost acceptable photos.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart...why do they choose such unattractive perches!

It was time to be going to Church Norton and on arrival I found the track was impassable due to a high tide. The churchyard held  nothing of special interest  apart from Robins and a Song Thrush.

Robin on a gravestone

Song Thrush

 I decided to make my way back up the road and then cut across the fields to the beach. A couple of Pheasants looked really good in the afternoon sun

 and were soon accompanied by these Roe Deer

A Splendid Threesome. 

...and then when almost to the beach....a Swallow!!!!....how late is that ...the last of the summer swallows!!

( I notice on the SOS web a Swallow was seen off Aldwick....probably the same one.)

Ended up overlooking the harbour watching masses of waders  returning to feed as the high tide ebbed.

Waders...in late afternoon sun...fantastic!