The main autumn migration is now over with only a few late comers coming through including a couple of Wheatears still present both at Medmerry and Church Norton Spit. However with the continuation of the mild weather a few traditional migrants continue to make Pagham their Autumnal homes and may even consider staying the winter as they have done in recent years, well it does save a long and exhausting flight to Africa. If you look around some of the scrub area then you may see a Chiffchaff or Blackcap pop out. In the harbour, at the end of the path from Church Norton Car Park a lone Whimbrel has set up its home. Whilst on Ferry Pool, joining the winter wildfowl, a lone Green Sandpiper can still be found picking up insects along the edge.
Green Sandpiper above and Whimbrel below
The wintering species are slowly increasing through the last few weeks with good numbers of Brent Geese, Dunlin, Wigeon and Grey Plover are all seen swirling around at high tide. Firecrests are also regular winter visitors to the Reserve particular around the Church Norton area, but they are not as visible as the large flocks of waders, but it is worth spending a little time looking for them as they are enchanting little birds.
The first winter storms have been and gone, these storms can have a dramatic affect on the birds that turn up in the harbour so it is worth a quick look on the water after such events. For instance in the middle of the month a Velvet Scoter turned up in the harbour which is quite unusual as these species also a Great Skua was observed swimming around Tern Island.
Winter is also a good time to practice your winter gull identification apart from the expected Black-Headed Gull and Herring Gull check them flocks out for Yellow Legged Gull and Mediterranean Gull. Our 2 Spoonbills continue to be a regular sight from Church Norton and the Great Norton Diver continues to delight visitors over at Medmerry.
Yellow-legged Gulls with Herring Gulls -- Above and Mediterranean Gull -- below
Even in the winter there are a few invertebrates to keep your eyes open for. On them warm sunny winter days it is possible to still see Red Admirals around the Reserve or a Common Darter. As the night draw in those slightly milder evening can still produce a few moths. The aptly named Winter Moth or December Moth are on the wing at present and, especially with the winds in the east at the present, a few migrant species such as Diamond Backed Moth, The Gem and Rusty Dot Pearl have all been recorded on the reserve over the last few nights.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon