The exciting news this week is that the Black Winged Stilts have hatched three young which at the time of posting were all doing well. For the first few days the parents kept them close to the nest site, defending them anything that came too close. Then on the 19th the parents and young successfully made the perilous journey across the track and out in the harbour. Hopefully in a few weeks we will see the young flying around Medmerry.
Things are also hotting up on the Pagham side with lots of activity over Tern Island with 44prs of Black Headed Gull, 5prs Oystercatcher, 1 pr Little Tern and 13prs Common Tern all in the process of hatching there chicks. Out on the spit 11prs of Little Tern have taken up residence at the end with many of them on nest or may be even feeding chicks so please take note of any notices.
Elsewhere on Ferry Pool the autumn migration may have started with Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Ruff all making an appearance this last few days. Much of the reserve appears much quieter than normal but there is plenty of activity behind the scenes going on as many of the smaller birds frantically feed their young.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon