A Happy New year to everyone. The beginning of January is a frantic time to those birders who compile year lists. However a windy and wet start to 2016 will have put the dampeners on many who expected to be out and about. Those who are brave enough to get out will have been rewarded as this storm weather has the habit of bringing in some interesting visitors. Persistence paid off when a close in Little Gull was seen working its way down the strandline at Church Norton. It was accompanied by a Velvet Scoter on the sea. The weather on the 2nd had brought a plethora of gulls on to Church Norton spit with the amazing sight of at least 100 Mediterranean Gulls.
First Winter Little Gull off Church Norton Spit (above) and Med Gull (Below)
This wet weather does not spot the continued need for birds to feed and despite being lashed by the wind and rain large numbers of waders can still be observed in the harbour. Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plover are in abundance as they frantically feed on the mudflats in between tides. Up in the sky’s you may be lucky to see the Merlin our smallest bird of prey as it peruses its lunch usually a Meadow Pipit or Skylark.
Merlin
Ferry Field is bustling with activity especially when the wind and rain allow the birds to feed, out on the water the shovelers are merrily working their way around the pool, while a flock of Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Golden Plover probe in the grass. So despite the weather there is still plenty to see at Pagham and to get that year list off to a good start.
Black Tailed Godwit (above) and Dunlin (below)
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon