Window to Wildlife

 We had another enjoyable trip to Pagham Harbour today with Sue and Bernie. We got off to an excellent start, with two stunning juvenile Little Stints close to the road in front of Ferry Hide, with diagnostic tramlines on the back showing well, clean white breast, and short black bill drilling into the mud. A nearby Lapwing provided a good size comparison, emphasising the tiny size of the Stints. Little Stint In the creek a pair of Avocets and a single Black-tailed Godwit were noteworthy. We walked the tramway circuit back to the car, before driving round to Church Norton. Avocet Black-tailed Godwit We settled on Bernie’s bench and scanned the harbour as the tide gradually rose. Curlew, Oystercatcher and a Grey Plover retaining some aspects of summer plumage were dotted around the mudflats, together with a Whimbrel and Greenshank. In the distance Bernie spotted a couple of Marsh Harriers quartering over the saltmarsh. As high tide approached, Bernie spotted an Osprey which flew aro...

 After a morning of chores, I managed to persuade Tim to take a little trip out to West Rise Marsh where a Red-necked Phalarope had been reported. This is not a bird we see every year, with most of our previous sightings having been fleeting and distant, mainly in June. When we arrived, I instantly spotted the tiny bird in the adjacent corner of the lake. It was quite windy, making the water choppy, and it had possibly been pushed towards the shore by these conditions. However, for us this was advantageous as it gave some brilliant close views, and good photo opportunities. As is often the case at this time of year, it was a juvenile bird, with beautifully coloured markings on the back and pristine white underparts save for a pinkish flush around the shoulders. The bill was thin and pointed, enabling it to dart at insects on the water surface. At times it stuck its head forwards to drive rapidly across the water. We were treated to just one flight view when a Herring Gull appeared ...