Summer evenings are great for a quiet country walk ....Pulborough Brooks seemed an ideal venue and having arrived at about 6.30 we made our way to Fattengates and sat in perfect peace and quiet in the  children's study shelter. Not a sound and no activity until a small robin like bird appeared underneath a bramble  and showed itself for  a few short seconds on a huge tree trunk the other side of the path...a juvenile Nightingale. It hopped momentarily onto a post and quickly disappeared from view. 

Short and sweet but what a treat!

Apart from this little other birdlife was showing. It was very hot and any birds were either well hidden or, like this Song Thrush, were sunning themselves!

We only took binoculars but wished we could have had a closer look at the waders from the Hanger viewpoint but could only make out Black Tailed Godwits, Redshank and Lapwing.

*********************

A Grey Squirrel was feeding in the wood

..and a baby Rabbit was completely unaware of us as we returned up the zig-zag path.

******************

A few photos from earlier in the week along the North Wall.

Coot with single chick.

Heron on a post

Small skipper.

Painted Lady

Nectaring close up.

Crow family....all with open gapes, panting! It was a very hot morning!

A Common Tern, fishing over the Breech Pool.

Reed Warbler... seen well, unlike a Cettis Warbler that was singing, but unseen!

A change to cooler weather forecast for this weekend with possible thunder and lightening Friday night.

The Egret village!

 A warm sunny morning and a report last night from a birder friend that the young egrets were showing well in Owl Copse enticed me out with the 'big' lens.

Here are some of the shots taken. Sometimes we local birders fall into the trap of taking these bird for granted, nesting on our doorstep! 

Cattle Egret...adult

Cattle Egret...youngster

The following photos are a mix of egrets (and one Grey Heron) showing a variety of  displays....food begging and aggression

As I was watching the egrets this Sedge Warbler  appeared in the bush just in front of me.

These are just a few of the photos....I did get a bit carried away but it was interesting and entertaining!

On returning to the beach a large number of vehicles had descended on the 'old' carpark and people and vans carrying a range of equipment was being offloaded including generators, lighting, tripods and various decorative pieces! Cables swamped our neighbours property which was being set up as as a film set. Olive trees and bushes of various types and sizes were being manhandled into position and whole episode was somewhat sureal!

A complete catering operation was being prepared in the car park and a fully equipped ambulance car specialising in covering special events and film sets was at the ready to cover any eventuality or mishap!

Apparently the operation was to create an advert for  a well known supermarket food chain

It all happens on Pagham Beach but it is usually a very peaceful location as no doubt this artist appreciates. Long may it continue that way!