The spring is now in full flow but the Iceland Gull at Pagham Lagoon continues to refuse to head for the cold climes up north. However it is now moulting through in to 2nd summer plumage, much paler. The clammer in the harbour has subtly changed over the last couple of weeks from the whistles of waders that winter here to the rattle of warblers and screeching of Terns. The long winter wait for the Little Tern has ended with 10 birds now back in the harbour, being joined by their cousins, the Sandwich and Common Tern.
As the winter ducks slowly depart to the summer quarters there is one duck that is due to arrive to breed in the UK, the Garganey. This teal size bird migrants north in to Europe to breed in the wet pastures of southern and central Britain. Other summer visitors continue to arrive Reed and Sedge Warbler become more vocal, they are brief joined by a Whinchat on it’s way north.
Do not forget the resident birds less visible during the winter they are suddenly spring to life to produce the next generation; Kestrels are see hovering over the pastures and Great Crested Grebes adorned in all their glory are seen on the lagoons, if you are lucky you may well see their amazing courtship display.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon