A selection of photos from this mornings walkabout.

Shelducks flying in off the sea

One of three Wheatears present

This Meadow Pipit seems to have taken up residency.

 He is certainly  conducting many 'parachute' flights.

Ten or twelve pairs of Linnets are starting to nest build

Mallard...resplendent in the sunshine.

Little Egret on the Lagoon.

...takes to flight

....and heads off

A rather ragged Crow

...and the Ringed Plover is still sitting.

A 'first' for Pagham Spit (for me!)

Having watched Pagham Spit for 30 years it always amazes me that something different can turn up...not neccessarily a rarity, but unusual for this beach.  Red Legged Partridges always seem incongruous on the beach but this morning a covey of Grey Partridges! As I was walking back from the hide two birds appeared on the path by the lone apple tree and I assumed they were Red Legs but no, they were Grey Partidges! As ever, not ready with the camera, but nevertheless a couple of very long distance, heavily cropped shots as proof!

A Willow Warbler was feeding up on the apple tree (a magnet for migrants) and afforded a couple of shots in the sunshine.

Willow Warbler

 A Whimbrel was feeding out on the saltings....sorry, no photo.

On the Spit again.

A wander round the Spit was somewhat uneventful but the Ringed Plover I discovered sitting on a nest last evening was still there this morning....

 It is in a very vulnerable position and I estimate its chance of being successful is nil, knowing the disturbance it is likely to endure.

Little else was on the spit but here are a few photos of 'the usuals'...

Female Blackbird

Blackbird in typical 'listening' or is it 'watching' mode?

Definitely 'watching'!

Nice to see the Linnets now in resplendent summer plumage

Male Greenfinch feeding on seed heads.

A hovercraft was skimming over the mudflats stopping from time to time to take samples...presumably the EA.

In the evening a Cuckoo was calling from a bush on Pagham Spit...my first this year and a real sound of Spring!!

Another visit to Pulborough Brooks

The purpose of this visit was to capture the definitive photo of a Nightingale....alert, rusty tail cocked, showing really well with of course good lighting, perfect exposure and crisp focus! They were singing lustily but most of the time high up and hidden in shrubbery. After a couple hours more birdwatchers arrived and I departed. A few photos but still not that 'perfect' one!

Nightingale in full flow.

The Little Ringed Plovers were still showing from the West Meads Hide and a distant Green Sandpiper was only identifiable with a 'scope...

 

A bit distant!!

..actually  initially identified as it called in flight.

Shelducks on the move.

Not a perfect photo of a Wren with the out of focus twigs and branches spoiling it but nevertheless shows this diminutive creature in typical skulking or scuttling pose!

Several Chifchaffs were present some building nests

...and this Linnet was building a nest in the gorse immediately outside the door of the centre.

Quite a beakful!!

Nightingales at Pulborough Brooks

An early start to the day at Pulborough Brooks...

A  selection of photos of this Nightingale which proved fairly accomodating

This is a species which is often tricky to photograph so when you find a friendly one you can't resist taking dozens of shots!

Blue Tit...often overlookedas it is 'common'!

...and a Little Ringed Plover at West Mead Hide