Goosanders, Guillemot and a Diver.

I was out on Pagham Spit this morning to see the effects of the newly cut harbour entrance at low tide. 

The Peregrine was on one of its favourite perches on Peregrine Island

The four Goosanders were still present and were quite mobile but nevertheless remained all day in or around the harbour.

An immature Gannet flew west with a group of gulls just off shore late morning.

Later in the day  whilst watching the highest high tide I've ever seen on the spit with my visiting birder friend Tim from Bedfordshire we spotted a Guillemot some way off shore (out of camera range).

Very quickly we spotted another bird and soon this became within photographic distance...

....a Red Throated Diver.

It did not hang around for very long but it was a good way to end the afternoon.

As the sun set there was frenzied activity from Gulls at the harbour entrance.

Sun setting over Peregrine Island.

Goosanders!

The  three Goosanders reported earlier have now been joined by a fourth bird just east of the original Little Lagoon outlet.

With a very careful approach I was able get a few photo before they were  flushed by someone along the beach.

They flew along the beach before appearing to head towards the harbour.

Included this shot to show location.

Knot!!

 As I walked along the Church Norton Spit this morning to watch the progress being made to realign the harbour entrance I was suddenly aware of a flock of Knot wheeling right next to me. Amazing sight as they attempted to land and then made off again and again.

The following photos certainly gave me a sense of speed and excitement as I watched in wonder.

 

    

...and this is a view of the new island from the Church Norton spit.

 Here are the first birds using it as a high tide roost....Cormorants, Greater Black Backed Gulls  and Oystercatchers.

This could be a very interesting island especially for breeding terns.

Exciting developments in the harbour.

 Although at quite a distance, against the light and with the wrong lens there is no doubt these three ducks are Goosanders but initially without optics I thought they were Red Breasted Mergansers. My first this Autumn. The giveaway was the repeated snorkelling and the stand up wing flapping so typical of this species.

It has been interesting to see the work being carried out to create  a new harbour entrance...at last! 

After years of planning and deliberation, delays and frustrations the work is now under way (see http://paghambeach.blogspot.co.uk )

A new island in the harbour is being created in the hope of attracting Little Terns to breed besides, hopefully, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers. During the past few days this work seems to have been completed so it will be interesting to note that this will be used as a wader roost at high tide etc. It will require a new name to identify it  as Tern Island  is well established and New Island is now being referred to as Peregrine Island.

Since this photo the 'pyramids' have been levelled and it will hopefully soon become a natural island.

Birding has been rather thin on the ground since my last blog but here are a few recent random shots of the locals. 

Some of the early arrivals of Brent Geese. There appears  be be a low percentage of younger birds with them to date.

A pair of stonechats have made an appearance on the spit.

Up to eight Reed Buntings have been seen feeding on weed seeds around the Little Lagoon area.

A few Chiffchaffs have been noted in the dead gorse 

Several Meadow Pipits have been regulars for a week or so on the spit,

...and finally a rather uncommon Common Gull

The Purple Heron....at last!

Having missed out on a few 'good' birds whilst being on recent holidays I was pleased to hear that the Purple Heron had reappeared in the last few days.

So this morning I felt it would be worthwhile to get out early to see if I could locate  the spot it had been seen several times usually during the early part of the day. I was on site at just before eight and initially could not locate it until I saw a birder some way away looking towards me from the other side of the field. At last I located it in the middle of the field viewable from 'the 'gate' as in previous reports.

It was a long way off for any decent photos but here are a few record shots.

At least it was a record and a first for the Pagham area for me although I have several records from Minsmere and Mallorca....but this was special.... a Pagham special!!

p.s.

Although during the past week Brent Geese have been circling the harbour they all seem to decide to fly on westwards. However, on Saturday these eight Brents were seen from Pagham Spit...the first I'd noted in the harbour.

The huge numbers of Red Admirals and Peacocks on the ivy was extraordinary.

North Cornwall V Pagham Harbour.

Having just returned from a holiday in North Cornwall it was good to be back on Pagham Beach despite the murky conditions this morning.

After a week of rain and more rain, conditions for birding were not favourable for photography and these images of Wagtails in the stream running into Porthcothan Bay were the only records. Choughs flew over the bay on a couple of occasions but were fleeting and a fair way away...certainly not birds to be encountered at Pagham.

Pied Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

However skeins of  Brent Geese were arriving in good numbers this morning.....some in fives and sixes and others in thirtys and forties...some accompanied by Shelduck and a few Wigeon.

...these with five Shelduck

This skein circled the harbour and may have landed, but way over the Sidlesham end.

  Other skeins flew on past the harbour mouth towards Chichester harbour.

A Little Egret was feeding in the Little Lagoon

A surprising number Red Admirals were enjoying the ivy

This spider caught my eye before the drizzle dampened my enthusiasm and I returned thinking how fortunate to live in this place where it never rains...much!