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Pagham Birder: The Blog

A regular account of the birds seen mainly on and around Pagham Spit, the Lagoon and the North Wall plus other birding exploits from time to time.
Any news of interest regarding the ongoing erosion problems on Pagham Beach will, from now on, be shown on my other blog together with general beach photos.. Click on the link... Pagham Beach Blog on this page.

Friday, February 24, 2017

North Wall and back....


What a contrast to yesterday...weatherwise. The only birds of note yesterday were ten Red Breasted Mergansers sheltering from the Force 8 on the Lagoon...the highest number I've noted there.
This morning was very different with calm sunny conditions.
A stroll to the North Wall along Pagham Harbour may produce some windswept oddities...so I thought. Not so, but still plenty to interest. The Linnets are back in force after a winter absence and earlier this week I noted thirty in the gorse This morning there were a few perching on brambles...not yet in full breeding dress but still looking good.
Linnet

At this time of year the Brent Geese begin to look restless and become quite noisy chatting to each other non stop.





They know full well that in a few weeks time they will be on their way to their breeding grounds and tend to move around in small flocks


Time for me to obtain a few more photos before their departure date which according to my diary from previous years is around March 10 



Soon they will be winging their way overhead, homewards.




 The wintering duck will depart a little later and the harbour will feel very empty
 Wigeon grazing in the paddock
...and flying over the reedbed. 

Here's a drake in closeup.

...and a passing drake Pintail (my favourite duck)





 It was good to hear a Reed Bunting in song this morning 



Black Tailed Godwit flypast over Breech Pool 




 After meeting up with Dave and Martin discussing the lack of birds around it was time to set off homewards. A Grey Plover was sitting it out at high tide along the harbour edge.
A Cormorant in full breeding plumage flew past affording a good photo opportunity.
Almost a Sinensis?
A real treat!

...and then a beautiful Kestrel hovering just ahead of me!
Another treat!



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