Recent Sighting 13th March to 24th April 2015
Unfortunately the blog has been under going maintenance for the last few weeks but here is a quick up day and Spring is here!!!
The advent of the spring migration seems too been put on hold at present as the winds moved into a northerly direction bring a final blast of chilly weather from the Arctic. The expected stream of migrants turned in to a dribble as birds would have delayed the move north to avoid flying in to the wind. However a few brave birds continued to make the hop across the channel. The numbers of Chiffchaff and Meadow Pipit continued to rise on the Reserve as they move northwards, but Wheatears continue to be very elusive and where are the Sand Martins as so far this spring there have been no records so far this spring. Two Sandwich Terns have been seen off Church Norton, which may have been the pair that have over wintered in the area, and a pair of Little Ringed Plover have taken up residence at Medmerry, this rounds up the migration news for the last couple of weeks.
Willow Warbler
The majority of the wintering birds have now left leaving the Reserve relatively quiet although there a few remaining lingers of Brent Geese, Spotted Redshank and some other waders. The Spoonbills continue to be present primarily around Medmerry but occasionally taking a trip over to the Pagham side. The Black Tailed Godwits that spent the winter around the Reserve are preparing to leave but are creating an astonishing sight with most of them sporting their breeding plumage.
Spoonbills at Medmerry Spotted Redshank
Many of the resident species are now resplendent in their breeding plumage and the sound of the male’s song is reverberating around the reserve. Little Egret, Herons, Yellowhammers, Corn Bunting and Reed Buntings all can be heard around Pagham and Medmerry heralding the end of winter, hopefully!!!
Skylark
Beginning of April saw an influx of Red Kites with up to 10 birds around the two reserves. However despite the dry weather the wind was predominantly from the north at the end of March in to the beginning of April meaning that the spring migration has been delayed. But with a subtle change of wind direction there was a suddenly flurry of migrants. A male Black Winged Stilt was the highlight but this was followed by a Grasshopper Warbler, Redstarts, Pied Flycatcher and Nightingales. The reserve also saw the summer residences start arriving with Swallows, Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers and even the first Cuckoo.
Black-Winged Stilt on Ferry Pool (above) and Whitethroat (below)
Pied Flycatcher at Visitor Centre
Out at sea a few Sandwich Tern are starting grace the harbour and the first Common and Little Terns have been reported passing by. There was a fleeting visit from the Hoopoe for one lucky visitor, and you could be the one of these as anything can turn up at this time of the year.
Red Kite Over Church Norton
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon