Another week of birding along the east side of the harbour.

Todays blog shows a selection of birds photographed during this week. There has been a distinct 'feel' of autumn during the latter part of the week with Friday being particularly good for warblers including Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Wheatears and Whinchats were present in the Halsey Farm area but were difficult to capture 'on film'.
These first two photos show a few of the seven Pale Breasted Brent Geese which turned up a few weeks ago  have  been seen regularly  from the Church Norton side of the harbour but early in the week could be seen well from Pagham Spit. 

Curlews have been present each morning and are irresistible subjects especially in flight.

 Numbers of smaller waders have been building up with flocks of Dunlin...some still in summer plumage sporting black chests. 

Little Egret near the sluice gate...a favourite feeding ground.

Godwit numbers continue to build.

Whitethroat in the North Wall bushes.

A well hidden Sedge Warbler.

Coots always present in the rife.

Spot the Kingfisher....far left of the top fence rail (a very long way off)

Almost all Black Headed Gulls are now in winter plumage...a sure sign that summer is on its way out!

Two very distant  Whinchats (centre between two out of focus Wheatears.)

 Breech Pool drama....

Grey Heron concentrating!

Grey Heron in  attack mode

That's breakfast...one unhappy fish!

 A one legged Whimbrel...

Today (Saturday) the Pale-bellied Brents were feeding just off Pagham Spit and I think now joined by a single Dark-bellied  Brent (left).

 Numerous Wheatears were on the spit perching on posts and wires and then dropping down onto the ground to feed.

A seal came into the harbour as I watched the Brent...not seen one for some time.

 In the early evening I wandered along Whites Creek in the hope of seeing a Cattle Egret, Spoonbill or Osprey ...all of which have been reported in the last twenty four hours.

Collared Dove...invariably feeding on the tideline along this stretch of the harbour.

A beautiful sunny morning along the North Wall

Loads of Hirundines flying alongside the wall seamingly snapping up a plentiful supply of  insects.

One or two youngsters occasionally alighted on the rocks and were hoping for a parent  to come and feed them (which they didn't)...so no chance of a good classic photo!

Swallow

Swallows predominated but House and Sand Martins were also feeding.

Sand martin....very difficult to capture.

A solitary Swift flew over.
Also present, several Whitethroats, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler and a Reed Bunting...no sign of Yellow Wagtails despite cows present. 

Whitethroat.

Willow Warbler

Reed Bunting

Little Egret in distant channel.

...and finally a flypast (shame you can't hear them!)

A welcome change in the weather.

After  six weeks of  very hot and sunny weather it rained all day yesterday. This morning, however, dawned bright and sunny with a hint of autumnal coolness first thing. It was a good morning to be on the spit....Willow/chiff, two Wheatears, Whitethroat showing in the bushes around the Little Lagoon...

Whitethroat

Wheatear



Waders are beginning to show up in the harbour and this Greenshank was feeding along the edge.

Turnstones, some retaining partial summer plumage seemed unaware of my approach...

...but once a Peregrine shot overhead they immediately stopped feeding and  adopted a crouched position until danger had passed.

My highlight was a Curlew that alighted some way away from where I was photographing the Turnstones and as I remained quite still it came closer and closer affording a great photographic opportunity...normally they are quite skittish birds.
















....a very enjoyable ten minutes!




...and finally aTurnstone on harbour wall




...and a Little Egret in the Little Lagoon.

Success at the third attempt!

At last at 8.45 this morning...the Curlew Sandpiper, but still a fair way out in Whites Creek from the sluice gate.

Curlew Sandpiper (third from left with 3 Knot and B T Godwit rear end! )

Curlew Sandpiper...centre

...on right

...far right

Snipe ...far side of Breech Pool

Greenshank

Apologies for terrible cropped shots but I was just pleased to see the Curlew Sandpiper in summer plumage.

Still quiet!

Yesterdays report of a summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper had me scurrying to the North Wall area this morning. Alas, it was way out in the middle of the harbour and even with a 'scope view it was  difficult to see! So another quiet morning with just a 'fly by' Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel and an Avocet on Breech Pool to brighten things up.

Distant Whimbrel.

Immature Avocet far side of the pool.

...and a couple of Common Terns.

There were, however the usual Grey Herons!

...in various poses

 ...and in flight!

A couple of Swallows were twittering on the power lines in Church Lane and incidentally there was at least one pair feeding young in the stables...so hopefully they will soon fledge.

....and that was about it!

July can be quiet for birding!

A stroll from the beach to the North Wall produced very little of interest.
Best was perhaps this Stag Beetle found on the 'dog walk' path...

An elegant beast!

Whites Creek had the usual Redshanks, Gulls and some summer plumaged Black Tailed Godwits and a few rather tatty Lapwings...

The resident family of Canada Geese were  near the sluice gate .

A few Reed Warblers were seen in the reedbed surrounding Breech Pool and a solitary Snipe was seen briefly at the far end and a  pair of Common Terns were present, briefly.

On the return journey a family of Whitethroats were seen suggesting successful breeding but not much else!

So, July is quiet for birds and birder alike!