My first Wheatear of 2023!

 There were several reports of Wheatears being seen at Selsey Bill and Church Norton this morning and at 1.33 this afternoon 2 were reported on Pagham Spit. It wasn't long before I was on the case and as I was scanning the shingle, the familiar figure of local birder Tony was by my side pointing at a couple of stonking males. There's always something special about the first sighting of a Wheatear!

Superb birds!

Several Chiffchaffs were flitting about in the gorse and this one posed for a few seconds on a typical Wheatear lookout.

Unusually for the Lagoon, a pair of Shovelers flew in with some Brent Geese and were feeding along with Coots at the west end of the Lagoon. 

Just look at those beaks!

Its all starting to happen now!

Black Redstarts in the paddock

 A Whatsapp shout  from the North Wall Birder and within twenty minutes I was there at the horse paddock. Both male and female were present and although a bit distant there was an opportunity for a few photographs.

.....and here's the duller female.

A female Stonechat was nearby..

.....together with this Pied Wagtail

A Black Tailed Godwit by the sluice  was changing into summer plumage a sure sign that Spring is almost here.

A short visit but good to see the Black Redstarts .