October is renown for the arrival of migrants either moving through towards Africa or winter here at the reserve. Strong easterlies have been affecting the UK throughout October which has brought a spectacular selection of rare migrants to there north and the east of the UK. However the reserve has remained relatively quiet for the month with settled weather and light winds. As the month draws to a close a few late migrants have been heard on the reserve with a Yellow-Browed Warbler at Church Norton and Ferry Field, also a Pallas’s Warbler at the Visitor Centre. A influx of Ring Ouzels slowly filled down from the east coast with many birds reported from around the reserve.
Pallas's Warbler taken in 2014
Ring Ouzel
The weather coming from the east did bring one bird from the continent late one afternoon when a Black Kite was seen flying east over the visitor centre. There was a good scattering of other species to make the interested birdwatcher excited with Dartford Warblers recorded both at Pagham and Medmerry, Bearded Tit at the North Wall and the Severals, Black Necked Grebe on Pagham Lagoon, Black Redstarts at Church Norton and Medmerry, Spoonbills seen across both sites, a Great White Egret flying across Yeoman’s and a Sooty Shearwater seen off Church Norton during the WeBs count was the first for the reserve.
Black Necked Grebe
Bearded Tit
With many birds seen moving through it is sometimes missed the increase in the winter visitors. The first Firecrest was seen at Church Norton along with Redwing. The familiar calls of Wigeon and Brent Geese now ring out over the reserve, whilst a Merlin or two are now hunting over the marsh.
Merlin
October is also a good month for moths despite the dropping temperatures with the highlights being Merveille du Jour and Flame Brocade (only the 2nd and 3rd trapped in a decade).
Cypress Carpet
Flame Brocade
Merveille du Jour
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon