Up early and arrived on the North Wall at 7.00am. The fields behind the breech Pool and in front of Halsey farm were more flooded than ever.
As soon as I started walking along the 'wall' I could see there were egrets in the distant bushes.
Once close enough to Owl Copse I noted twenty five Cattle Egrets.... an all time record (for me). Seventeen were preening in the bushes whilst a further six were feeding in the field.
The one at the top right of above is moving into breeding plumage.
Whilst watching with Ian H they tended to change position between their preening spots in the hawthorn to their feeding position on the ground.
A great spectacle and worth the early start.
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The Grey Herons are now very active nest building! |
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Black Tailed Godwits are still present in considerable numbers making full use of the flooded fields. |
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The usual confiding Curlew was still present foraging just below the pathway. |
Back on the Pagham spit later there was little of interest. The wind had got up again and these Turnstones were seeking shelter in the Little Lagoon...but not much else.