Spoonbills and an update.

Five Spoonbills have been in the harbour for the past few days but this morning was my first opportunity to catch up with them. Alas, it was raining at 7.00am when I hoped to get out but within a couple of hours the weather improved. Initially I could only find four birds but the fifth was a litle way away from the rest and, with headed tucked well under its wing, was not easily picked out from all the gulls.

Peregrine in fast flight.

As I watched they were all spooked by a Peregrine which was actually to my advantage as I grabbed a few flight photos before they landed slightly closer than they were at first...not that close though!

Two of the birds were ringed so hopefully someone will know their origin...France maybe?

Other birds noted during the morning......

Newly arrived Pintails

...also Wigeon coming into their autumn/winter quarters.

Distant Redshank, Greenshank and a Dunlin(in the centre)

Mute Swan flypast

Curlew

During the last few days of last week a few birds turned up on Pagham Spit that were obviously on the move

Stonechat

Blackcap

Chiffchaff

Reed Bunting

  ...and finally one of dozens of Red Admirals about in this mornings sunshine.

Another busy week on the domestic front precluded any possibility of serious birding. However, I have posted few photos below on the couple of occasions I was wandering around the Spit.

On one morning mid week there were a good dozen Wheatears flitting from post to post to post ....

Just a few of the Wheatears...one on every post!

 A Swan flypast...pity you can't hear the wonderful sound!

Turnstone numbers are increasing and there was a small flock foraging around the edges of the Little Lagoon

On one evening as the moon began to rise...  

 there were six Little Egrets on the Little Lagoon (don't often see this many at this location)

...whilst looking north over the harbour the Gull roost was building  and Little Egrets can just be made out going to roost in Owl Copse along the north Wall.

Another week has come and gone! Must get out more next week...it's migration season!!

Suffolk Scene

The past week has been spent in Suffolk for a 'family' holiday with birding as an additional extra!
However the weather was far from ideal apart from one day, but even then birds were scarce
Regular visits to Minsmere proved slightly disappointing but the highlight was a Citrine Wagtail but even this bird was very distant although showing regularly from West Hide...here are a couple of highly cropped shots....

First winter male Citrine Wagtail

Most of the regular species were noted with brief encounters with Bittern (but no photo!) and Marsh Harrier. There were plenty of Hobbys but again, just out of range!

Marsh Harrier

All the  waders usually quite close to the East Scrape hide were too distant for any decent photos on this occasion . A few teal were feeding within range but that was about it!

Teal

A Stonechat was present in the dunes...

On our last but one day there had been a good fall of warblers overnight  in the bushes outside our s/c bungalow but nothing unusual.

Lesser Whitethroat

Chiffchaff

Blackcap

A Lizard enjoying the sunshine

Red Admiral feeding on Blackberries.

So that was it....back to Pagham now with hopefully, some 

exciting Autumn migrants!!