As the summer grows to an end many of the summering birds are preparing to leave after rearing their young. Much activity can be seen in the bushes with Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff all feeding up with the abundance of insects ready for their journey to Africa. Over head the numbers of Swallow, Sand Martins and even the last of the Swifts are seen gathering over the pools. By the middle of the month the first major movement of migrants from the north appeared with Wheatears, Whinchats, Pied Flycatcher, Redstarts and Spotted Flycatcher started to drift through the reserve refuelling before continuing south. During these periods the odd usual visitor can be seen and this august proved to be no exception with the almost annual visit from a Wryneck, spending a week at Church Norton.
Pied Flycatcher (above) and Spotted Flycatcher (below)
Wryneck
On the pools around Pagham and Medmerry the young of the summer efforts are beginning to become independent with Avocet, Little Ringed Plover and Redshank all present. These resident waders are joined by there cousins up north starting there annual pilgrimage southwards. Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint were briefly joined by their American counterpart a Pectoral Sandpiper. By the end of the month the pools were providing food for up to 10 Ruff and 15 Wood Sandpiper, the best number of these species for a large number of years.
Pectoral Sanpiper
Ruff (above) and Common Sandpiper (Below)
A taking advantage of this glut of food the local Peregrines who regularly patrol the area looking for an easy meal.
Peregrine catching it's dinner
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon