Appreciation!

I was up and out before the sun arose this morning which isn't difficult as we are approaching the shortest day ! The Brent Geese were returning to their feeding grounds, Curlews were calling and Turnstone were scuttling about almost under my feet as the sun came up. Red Breasted Mergansers fed in the harbour mouth and Wigeon were whistling whilst the Teal were 'squeaking' in the shallows...all was peace and I was just thankful I was here ...what better place to be on a morning like today!

A Dull Morning?

Pagham Beach is really dull this morning...dull and cold but windless. From my window I can see 2 Eider Ducks feeding quite close to the shoreline and several Great Crested Grebes.
Having walked to the harbour entrance and spoken to a chap with a GPS monitoring the beach movement following a storm over the past weekend all I noted was a Peregrine on New Island, several Red Breasted Mergansers and a few female Goldeneye.The usual Brents,Wigeon,Teal and Pintail were present plus the gulls which included a few Mediterranean Gulls. Waders were much in evidence with Grey Plovers, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew all present.
So although dull and looking pretty miserable the birdlife certainly brightened the place up...Pagham harbour never fails to please a birder!!

Birds NOT seen on Pagham Beach!!

Having just returned from a few days in Suffolk I realised just how many species we don't see here on the beach! Treecreepers, Marsh Tits, Bitterns, Siskins but then I looked out the window overlooking the sea and there, just in front of me 2 Slavonian Grebes and a pair of Velvet Scoters!! Wow...its good to be back despite the wonder of Minsmere!

An early start....rewarded!

Last night I was walking alongside the eastern side of Pagham Harbour when I glanced over the fields and saw a Short Eared Owl flying low in 'huntingmode'. A magnificent sight and I wanted a photo, so this morning I was up and out before the sun rose and sure enough the owl was patrolling the field searching for his breakfast! The light wasn't good and he was at a fair distance but after several attempts I managed to get a 'record' shot.
Later in the morning ...another 'record' shot'...this time the elusive Purple Sandpiper which had appeared in the harbour about 10 days ago but now was on the Little Lagoon feeding alongside a Grey plover. A nice bird which I had previously seen some years ago on the Little Lagoon but more often has turned up on the shoreline in the company of Turnstones. Whilst watching and admiring this arctic traveller I met a birder who had moved into the area about 12 months ago and we both agreed we were really fortunate to be living in an area so rich in birdlife and yet so near to our everyday needs!! ...and we shared the fact that every day was different..the birds, the sea and the light and we never knew what to expect...Pagham never disappoints!

A single Fieldfare!

During todays early morning walkabout I flushed a single Fieldfare from a bramble bush. It made its raucous call and headed over the harbour in a northerly direction. I can't remember ever seeing one here on Pagham Spit before. A few fly over in cold weather but there is very little to encourage them to feed and stay! 3 Lapwings flew in from the sea and headed North...they must have come from France as it was early morning and the sun was just rising.
Later in the day I noted 5 Slavonian grebes from my sitting room window and realised again how fortunate I was to be situated in this location. I checked my 'species seen from the window' and noted it was 102...not bad as far as window lists go!

Another nice sighting... Bearded Tits

I had a telephone call last evening letting me know there were a party of 'beardys' about along the North Wall...I had looked previously after someone had spotted them but they had disappeared by the time I had got there. Today was different and although difficult to find in the reedbed eventually a pair showed themselves. As it was dull and the light was poor I didn't take the camera but the splendid male above was one I had taken earlier at Minsmere....they really are beautiful birds.

A bright start to another day.

A superb start to the day....out at 7.30 to a calm, still, sunny morning. As I made a quick eyeball check across the harbour I noticed 6 crows harrassing a large bird....it was a Short Eared Owl.
This was the first sighting this autumn for me and only yesterday I was looking at my records for past years and noticed this was about the week that I should see one. Wow...and there it was. I took a few shots but it was a fair way out but the record shot above is recognizable.
Wandering up to the harbour mouth a Kingfisher suddenly appeared in front of me resplendent in the early morning sunshine...but it was gone again just as suddenly...and then the clouds rolled in and the sun wasn't seen again all day!