It is always a little nervous to go away on holiday as the migration period is starting and I though I had gotten away with it until a few days before my return when the news broke that a Long-Tailed Skua (2nd recorded for Pagham) had been reported off Church Norton and was taking regular trips in to the harbour giving some excellent views. However by my return, after a couple of days performing to the crowds, it was nowhere to be seen and it was assumed by all that it was on its merry way. But as luck was having it a volunteer came back from Medmerry on Saturday (9th) with news that the skua had relocated itself at breach and it was soon located chasing the Terns. Over the last few weeks the number of terns have increased to form a sizable roost around the Breach at Medmerry with well over a hundred present by the first week in August, including Sandwich, Common and Little Terns amongst them numerous juveniles indicating a successful breeding season. A bonus was a single juvenile Black Tern which was seen briefly before flying out to sea.
Many of the Terns seen at Medmerry were almost certainly some that nested on the spit at Church Norton. This was one of the best breeding seasons for many years with up to 10 Little Tern, 7 Common Tern and 3 Sandwich Tern Fledging.
The news that everyone had been waiting for was the successful fledging of the Black Winged Stilts. All three chicks managed to fledge, becoming only the third time ever in the UK that this species has successfully bred. After gaining their wings for a week or so they briefly relocated on the Ferry Pool before departing for the RSPB reserve at Pulborough.
Apart from the Black Winged Stilts, the Ferry Pool continued to be a poplar place for waders but as July moved in to August many of the species start to move onwards for the autumn but a good selection could still be viewed with 1 Spotted Redshank 1 Avocet, 15 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, and 4 Common Sandpiper.
The autumn migration has started with a small number of warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears and a brief appearance of a Cattle Egret at Marsh Farm formed the start of the movement southwards.
The continued warm weather has meant there has been a good range of invertebrates reported from the Reserve as well as the commoner species more scarce species have also appeared with Banded Demoiselle, Four Spot Chaser, Clouded Yellow and a rare Bordered Straw trapped over night in our regular moth trap.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon