The weather seems to have moved in to something more akin to expected after the storms of early February. Although no major arrivals of unusual birds were reported but a scattering of interesting gulls were reported on the reserve over the week preceding the storms. The first was the discovery of a Little Gull of Ferry Pool which was soon followed with individuals reported both at Pagham Lagoon and Church Norton. A second Glaucous Gull of the winter was also seen briefly on New Island. This rare arctic gull has become a regular visitor to Sussex this winter with a number of birds along the coast. Also it is still worth check the large gull flocks at Church Norton as there are still the odd Kittiwake reported amongst the good numbers of Common Gull and Mediterranean Gull.
The monthly counts continue to show good numbers of waders using the harbour despite the mild weather with nearly 1000 Grey Plover, 700 Knot and 1300 Dunlin putting on excellent flight displays around the high tide. There are still 7 Avocet using the harbour although they can be elusive especially at Low Tide as they feed in the creeks.
The first signs of spring are starting to show with snowdrops appearing in the woods, herons preparing they nest after the winter storms and the constant caw of Rooks in the farmland as these early nesting species prepares for a new year.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon