Pagham Spit

After a very cold and windy  spell of weather it was really good to get out onto the spit with no wind and without that biting easterly!
Each year at this time Shelducks can be seen in the early morning exploring the rabbit warren by the Little Lagoon. This morning a pair were carrying out a close inspection but as as soon as they spotted me they hurried into the relative safety of the water...long enough to obtain a couple of shots before they made off.

Male Shelduck

Female shelduck

A few Curlews flew out from the harbour whilst a number of calling Mediterranean Gulls flew east.

Curlews

Mediterranean Gulls in summer plumage 

It was the wheatears that stole the show this morning; they were perching on the high spots before dropping down to the ground in search of grubs...summer really is coming!!

Female

Male

Superb birds!!

Two Swallows flew in from the sea and a Chiffchaff was lurking in the gorse.

...and finally a Starling in full breeding dress.

Busy Herons along the North Wall, Pagham.

Yes...if you have a camera and want to capture Herons in flight, be sure to visit the North Wall, Pagham Harbour!
Here are a few snaps taken this week.

Nest building in full swing!

Goosanders on the first day of spring.

It was a bit of surprise to find a pair of Goosanders out to sea this morning but they gradually made their way into the harbour and as they were heading up the Church Norton they were disturbed by walkers and fortunately came within photographic distance on 'my'side.. The light wasn't good and being a mixture of white and very dark green proved difficult to expose correctly. 

Wing stretching.

The Hooded Crow seems to have taken up residence on Pagham Beach and is now a regular sighting.

It doesn't permit a very close approach so these photos are all heavily cropped.           
The weather (up until today) has been exceptional for February and the birds are singing and starting to nest build. Here are a couple of the more vocal along the North Wall taken a few days ago.

Great Tit 

Chaffinch

The evenings have been spectacular and earlier in the week I went in search of the reported Marsh harriers as they went to roost in the reed bed behind the Breach Pool.

Brent Geese after sunset 

Although the light was failing and the birds were a long way off I did manage to obtain a few record shots....

....and finally

              Wader silhouettes.....Redshank and Curlew.

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!