Weather was once again the main feature of the week which clearly had a dramatic effect on the number of visitors and sighting being reported. There were no new arrivals this week however the number of birds on the harbour remained high despite the rain and wind. With the wind come the rising water level over many of the grasslands and this gave refuge for many of the birds trying to find shelter from the winds out in the harbour. 1000 Black Tailed Godwit, 2500 Lapwing, 300 Wigeon, 250 Curlew and 50 Golden Plover made an outstanding sight on the North Fields. The numbers also made the two Peregrines exceptionally happy as they successfully found their dinner. The aerial displays as the wader did all they could to avoid the lunch table put our efforts to shame.
The onslaught of the wind against the coast meant that it is totally as waste of time looking what was on the sea. The best and one of the few records was of 2 Common Scoter heading east well offshore. However the constant churning in the surf meant that there were many pickings for the Gulls. Up to 200 Mediterranean, 50 Common and countless Black-Headed and Herring Gulls were making the most of this winter fayre.
Long staying birds included the 2 Ruddy Shelduck continuing their commute between the Harbour and Ferry Pool and the Slavonian Grebe which continued the serenity of Pagham Lagoon.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon