Cattle Egrets...at last!

Having searched unsuccessfully for the reported Cattle Egrets in the Hunston area  during the past few days I eventually caught up with a few of them today in a sheep field south of Ivy lake.

They did not hang around long and neither did I as the farmer approached and encouraged me to move on as heavy farm vehicles were about to arrive!
Nevertheless I was pleased to get a couple of shots through a hedge!! Things are never easy!!

The Hooded Crow...It's still there....if you're lucky!

Timing is all important and luck is an essential ingredient! Best time is when the tide is out and more importantly when the dogs and dog walkers are not invading the beach...that's a killer!

Having said that they have just as much right to be on the beach as birders and photographers...it just makes it more of a challenge!!

The Hooded Crow at about noon

It seems quite skittish and does not allow a close approach...this time it was last seen heading for the centre of Pagham harbour.
I was very encouraged to meet a couple today who had actually looked at my blog before coming from Southampton....so someone does read it!!

A Sussex/Pagham first for me!

 As I was returning from my walk around the spit this morning I met up with Nick Bond who was looking for the reported Hooded Crow which I assured him wasn't on the spit this morning! As we parted he commented that if he did find it he would tweet me. Sure enough as soon as I returned home I received a tweet, so hurriedly set out again and met up with him and Gareth James having reasonable long distance views off the beach. I only had the 400mm lens but with a little bit of stealth I managed to get  somewhat closer and it eventually flew to the high tide mark giving the opportunity of a few long distance (albeit cropped) shots.....

 A first Sussex tick for me!

Earlier in the harbour I found an unusual Brent Goose with a very noticeable white head. Initially I only saw the head and that had me puzzled...

A little later I had a decent view 

Leucistic or cross breed...I know not!

Returning via the Lagoon I took a few shots of a resplendent Tufted Duck....just look at that tuft!!

Spring is on the way....hopefully!

A cold, frosty morning.

The coldest morning so far  this year....at the sluice gate.

New signage along the North Wall

Birds were few and far between...

 Except for a few Reed Buntings

Plenty of Wigeon at the northern end of the harbour

...and very frosty.

 A near miss between Mediterranean Gull and Little Egret at Pagham Spit

...but all is well

A perfect landing

Little else apart from a few Herring Gulls

Nevertheless a good morning to be out and about if youwere wrapped up well....brrrrr!

The Goring Snow Bunting

Just about every local birder has been to see this very confiding Snow Bunting that has been at Goring Gap for the past few days so, as I had to be in that area today, I made sure I wasn't going to be left out! Having spotted a flock of birders with cameras and a variety of optics as I drove from Worthing towards Ferring it took very little skill to locate the bird. It seemed to completely ignore humans but it objected to their four legged friends! So lying prostrate on the pebbles to get the necessary low angle views and then creeping along, crablike, it was simple enough to get some shots except when these wretched animals gave chase! Here are a few shots .....

Note the eye brows!

In the afternoon it was back to Pagham Beach for a contrast in black and white ...
                                     

Carrion Crows

...and a Mediterranean Gull.

A cold bright sunny day...winter!!

Here at last!

Early morning along the north wall...cold!

Blogging activities have been a bit thin on the ground recently...in fact non existent! Hopefully, that is all going to change soon but the weather has not been very kind  and the birds have not been showing too well either.

So, this morning I decided I must make the effort to get out to the North Wall, and record what I saw! The highlights were few and far between but if you wanted Lapwings they were there in abundance!

A huge flock of Lapwings

Caught in the early morning sunlight they looked terrific!

I think they were put up by this distant (heavily cropped) Marsh Harrier that flew in from the east side and made its way at high altitude to the north west.

View from North Wall of Chichester Cathedral spotlit by the early sunshine ( taken with 210mm lens)

A few Shelducks were present looking up towards Whites Creek

Canada Geese were moving about.

A few Black Tailed Godwit were feeding in Breech Pool

Curlews in Honer field.

...and a Great Tit  by the stables.

So, not a great success but nevertheless a good starting point  for the new year...it can only get better.

...and here's a few photos taken during the early part of the month.

Drake Red Breasted Merganser taking off...from Pagham Spit

Roe Deer between Halsey and Marsh Farm

Mallards on posts...Breech Pool.

Dramatic light, early morning at the Breech Pool.

Evening light from the Salthouse.

So that's it for today....I wonder what this year will bring!

Happy Birding.