A few photographs from both Pagham Spit and the North Wall area taken in the past few days.

I get just as much enjoyment from getting a reasonable photograph of a common bird as I do a more unusual species so here's a female Linnet....

Linnet (f)

Wheatear (f)
These birds are just beginning to drift through on Autumn migration

A couple of mornings ago a Kingfisher was fishing on the harbour breakwater  (the first I've seen since the Spring)  but I did note one on the Breech Pool this morning as well.

 At the the Breech Pool a Little Stint was present feeding alongside Dunlin...unfortunately the other side of the pool...hence a very poor shot....

Dunlin and Little Stint

There are a few Whimbrel in the harbour ...this one lurking in the saltmarsh.

...but this  Curlew was much more obliging!!

That's it for now....Autumn migration will soon be in full swing when hopefully the trickle will turn into a torrent!

I set out with high hopes to the North Wall early this morning but was disappointed to find the water level had risen considerably and all the 'interesting' waders had disappeared. A couple of Herons were quietly fishing...one on the farthest pool....

and another by the sluice gate...

In the early evening I walked the Spit and found a couple of Wheatears 

...and flushed a pair of Whimbrel, with one flying directly over my head. 

Fortunately I had the camera at the ready as it took me by surprise and I could easily have missed the opportunity! 

So a quiet day but who knows what tomorrow may bring!

It's August !!

An autumnal feel this morning and a brisk early morning walk to the North Wall.
A couple of Common Sandpipers on the Lagoon flew off at my approach but a Cormorant remained on the edge....they are usually make off quickly.

Along the footpath by Slipe field (getting very overgrown) a Blackbird was pondering the morning..

and a couple of Wood Pigeons posed for a photo...

...and then a Willow Warbler appeared

Along the North Wall a Sandwich Tern was resting on the mud...

whilst a Common Tern took up a position on a post in the Breech Pool..

...alongside a juvenile Black Headed Gull.

There were a few waders on the pool including a single Ruff, 4 Dunlin and 6 Black Tailed Godwits. 

Ruff

Ruff

Ruff

One of the Black Tailed Godwits

..and one of the four rather 'tatty' Dunlin.

 ...and as I was joined by Owen M, a very mottled Spotted Redshank flew in.

Spotted Redshank ...in summer to autumn plumage

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank...always a nice bird to see!

Whilst watching the waders I was surprised to see a Stoat running in and out of the reeds. Several times it darted into the water apparently grabbing something and then literally jumping back into the reed bed. It was almost impossible to photograph as it seemed to have manic attacks jumping into the air and then tearing along the waters edge and disappearing. A couple of poor, heavily cropped shots....

It stopped momentarily for a split second!

 The Godwit seemed unconcerned!

Back to Pagham....difficult to beat for sheer variety of wildlife.

It's always pleasant to get back on you local 'patch' after a time away and this morning was no
exception!
The North Wall has a wide variety of habitat hence a wide selection of birds and again as I strolled along by the Breech Pool I realised how fortunate we are in actually living in this location...literally on our doorstep!

First up, feeding on the mud, an Oystercatcher....

Next up...

A Black Tailed Godwit in winter plumage

...but a few retaining some of their summer plumage 

On the other side of the pool a Spotted Redshank preening

alongside a few Dunlin


A Grey Heron flies in....

...settles down and starts fishing.

 Sedge Warblers are busy tending youngsters...

 ...but keeping a careful eye on me

 ...as was this Roe Deer

 but he soon settled down once he knew it was safe...

 ...and all that could be seen was this!

A few Swallows watched from a bush...

 On returning back along the 'Wall'  a Lapwing eyed me cautiously..

 and a Greenshank fed in Whites Creek.

I noticed a couple of Teal in eclipse plumage on the pool...a sure sign that Autumn is on its way!

As I was just standing by the Salthouse a bird suddenly flew up on to the fence surrounding the horses field...a Juvenile Green Woodpecker.

 It looked distinctively  'Wryneck like' in posture!

 ..but the colour on the back of the head and nape showed no resemblance to its cousin!!

It too, eyed me cautiously...

 ...until a dog walker came along, when it hopped back onto the fence, had a quick look round and was off!!!

I finish the blog today with a crop of this photo...a superb bird.



See what I mean about variety of wildlife....Pagham Harbour takes a lot of beating!!
(all within an hour and a half)
                               
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At 5.30p.m. I looked out of the living room to see this....

An off shore flock of Gannets moving west along the Channel.

We don't often see Gannets go past;  maybe in ones and two and usually a lot further out to sea so it was good to see this...quite a spectacle.