Saturday 20th September: Pagham Harbour

We were leading another Sdos walk at Pagham Harbour this morning, meeting at Church Norton. The tide was rising fast as we gathered in the car park, so we headed straight to the benches for a wader watch, hoping to make the most of the rapidly disappearing mudflats.

Oystercatchers and Redshanks were scattered around the harbour and a gathering of Grey Plover showed really well in the scope. A couple of Knot were picked out foraging amongst them. A few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers were seen distantly, but disappointingly a large group of Curlew Sandpipers were too far away for us to really see. Turnstones were more obliging, as were a smattering of Curlews, and a single Bar-tailed Godwit showed well in the scopes.

Probably the star turn at this location, was a flock of Spoonbills. Initially elusive, with just their bills visible, as the tide rose higher they took off and we enjoyed the spectacle of nine long necked birds circling round, before landing in a much better position, giving excellent views.

We also found a good variety of ducks, with Wigeon largely transitioning to their rufous-based winter plumage, and Pintail just beginning to acquire brighter colours around their obvious ‘pin’ tails, but broadly still in eclipse plumage. Their long, elegant necks stood out though, and their distinctive structure made them easily identifiable. Teal were here too in good numbers, and some of the group managed to pick out a single Shoveler and Gadwall as they fed amongst the vegetation.

A flock of Sandwich Terns loafed on the mud, showing really well, and we enjoyed their distinctive ‘Eric’ calls. A group of black-headed gulls alongside enabled us to compare the difference in shape of these birds.

Behind the hide a Spotted Flycatcher and probable late Willow Warbler were found, and a Sparrowhawk flew over. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at the car park, but little was found in the churchyard, and we were not able to find a Wryneck (seen yesterday) at the Severals, although a Stonechat here added to our tally.

Shortly before noon, we moved our cars to the visitor centre and enjoyed lunch overlooking the feeders where we added regular tits and finches to our tally. Then we walked to the hide at Ferry Pool where we found a Green Sandpiper, a few Lapwings and many gulls. Last week this was a muddy building site, but now there was some water here and the newly created islands were already attracting these birds. It should be a great improvement once work is complete.

Walking along the tramway, we finished with a flourish when Clive spotted a magnificent Osprey hunting over the harbour. We watched this for some time, noting its distinct flight style, and through the scopes were able to clearly see its unmistakable white head and underparts. As we watched, it dived for a fish, then disappeared from view, clutching its prey. We thought the show was over, but as we congratulated each other on a brilliant display, Steph spotted the bird again, as it perched on a post to enjoy its lunch. We walked a little nearer, and all enjoyed great scope views, a real highlight of the day. A Kingfisher and Whimbrel were also enjoyed here, and we ended the day with a respectable tally of 56 birds. 

Osprey