There is a definite nip in the morning air and with November on its way you might be tempted to stay indoors and remain fixed to the sofa. However if you do so, you’ll be missing out on some beautiful wildlife, dramatic landscapes and some of my favourite sounds from the bleaker months of the year.
During October, the harbour, so noisy with the constant clamour of chattering terns and raucous gulls in summer, descended into a desolate, uneasy quiet, only punctuated by the panicked call of a nervous curlew or redshank. Now our winter visitors are arriving, providing the unmistakable winter saltmarsh soundtrack of honks, quacks, whistles and squeals that makes me smile whenever I hear it. Thousands of wildfowl and waders arrive from their northern breeding grounds to feed and roost in the sheltered havens of Pagham Harbour and Medmerry. The former reserve is particularly important for brent geeseand pintail ducks, and as such, is internationally recognised.
Brent geese
Pintail - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
These most welcome visitors are joined by vast numbers wigeon and teal.
Wigeon - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Teal
As the tide recedes, waders flock to the emerging mudflats. Grey plover, golden plover, dunlin, knot and curlew all vie for space, busily probing for food like disturbed ants swarming out of their home. Jittery lapwing swoop and twist in great clouds and sneaky snipe, masters of camouflage appear and disappear just as easily amongst the slightest of vegetation.
Dunlin
A hunting peregrine flashes onto the scene sending panic through the gathered throngs and an explosion of birds fills the air against a backdrop of moody skies.
This scene is only eclipsed by the experience of thousands of wildfowl and waders passing directly overhead as they move between the harbour and surrounding fields with each tide.
As the sky darkens with the sheer numbers of birds, the sound of countless wings beating mingle with their relentless chatter. The best place to catch this true winter wildlife spectacle is the North Wall near Breech Pool.
And if you’re thinking you may struggle to separate your spotted redshank from your redshank and your dunlin from your knot, fear not we have a Waders for Beginners course starting in November too – check our events for details.
So what are you waiting for? Pull your boots on, grab your coat and come and discover the delights of our fantastic reserve in November.