As February creeps in to March and the seasons change the expectation of the visitor and birdwatcher a like are raised at the approaching prospect of our returning summer migrants. March is the time when many of our winter visitors start their journeys northwards with many of Brent Geese, Pintail, and waders spending their last few days fuelling up. By the end of March few waders and waterfowl remained in the harbour.
Blackcap
The spring weather has been very topsy turvey one minute 25oC the next a flurry of snow, this with the predominantly northerly winds has meant that the arrival of many of our summer visitors has been in fits and starts. As expected the first summer arrivals were Northern Wheatears braving the chilling winds in mid March, but with many heading further north after a short stop over this was a taster of what they may face. March was lightened up with the first Osprey that was reported initially coming in from the sea at Selsey Bill and then drifting over the Ferry Pool as it headed through. By the end of the month Little Ringed Plover were back on the Stilt Pool, Medmerry, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were singing and the odd Sandwich Tern were fishing offshore.
Northern Wheatear
April is the true start of the migrant in earnest, with a whole array of migrants trickling rather than flooding through. Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Sand Martin, Swallow and Ring Ouzel all reported passing through the reserve. April is also the month when many of our summer visitors arrive back to breed Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Nightingale, Reed and Sedge Warbler are all back.
Cuckoo
Migration is also the time when more unusually visitor reach our shores and Pagham/Memerry have been lucky enough to have received to few already this spring, unfortunately for many only a lucky few observed them. Although not classified as a species an interesting ‘hybrid’ Yellow Wagtail, called a Channel Wagtail, turned up in the horse paddocks near the salthouse. Church Norton was the location of a Wood Warbler, a scarcity now in Sussex, whilst a Tawny Pipit was located on Ferry Field during a BBS and one lucky visiting group had good views of a Hoopoe on Church Norton Spit. Medmerry was not to be out done with three Purple Heron and Spoonbill present briefly.
Channel Wagtail
Tawny Pipit
Although all three of the breeding tern species have been recorded the northerly air flow has held up many returning birds so this spectacle has still to materialise. However the two reserves have been filled by the calls of Mediterranean Gulls as many 100’s have been taking advantage of the farmers ploughing their fields.
Med Gull With Black Headed
Away from the bird front there have been the first few moths reported this year however the chilly nights has someway kept activity low.
Streamer
Adder
Green Winged Orchid
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon