Happy New Year and Happy Birding 2016

The start of the year has been abysmal as far as the weather is concerned and as age creeps on I fear I am becoming a 'fair weather' birder. There were a few bright periods today when I was able to walk the Spit to see what was about.
First thing this morning I watched a pair of Peregrines homing in on a Snipe. Again and again one would fly above it and the other would come in at high speed just below the poor bird,  panicking and zig-zagging away, before eventually shaking off both Peregrines...an amazing spectacle!

One of the Peregrines returning after failing to catch its breakfast.

Several Pintail were feeding in the shallows

...and a Great Crested Grebes was on the move..

Morning view towards Chichester cathedral

Same view....late afternoon light.

Along the beach just before sunset...a Turnstone..

Accommodating birds if approached slowly.

...and finally 

Late afternoon rainbow over Pagham Parish Church.