...or, introducing Medmerry!

The new seawall has survived the remarkable run of winter storms that have been blasting the south coast (well most of the British Isles!) since late October, ensuring protection from tidal flooding for more than 300 Selsey homes. One only has to look at what has happened to the old sea wall in the last few months to see why the new wall was needed....

If you wish to visit the site, please…

The wild weather continues a pace and the sea throws up a multitude of other delights for the gulls. Hundreds of gulls have descended on to Church Norton to feed upon the urchins and starfish that have washed up. For the lucky one or two gulls they have a gourmet of lobster. Although the majority of the gulls are Herring it is worth looking carefully through them as there have been nearly 400 Mediterranean Gulls among…

Pagham Harbour’s new Wildlife Explorer Club got together for a second time at the end of January and we had a great time. We now have an official club name -The Pagham Seals. We had many suggestions from the kids including Barn Owls and Waddling Waders but after a vote ‘Seals’ was the winner, a fitting name considering our proximity to Selsey (Seal Island).

The Big Garden Bird Watch was our focus this…

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…

The week began with the saga of the Glaucous Gull which brought so much excitement when it appeared in the Harbour last week. After a couple of days stay the bird departed and it was expected that was the last it would be seen. However on Friday it reappeared on the beach at Church Norton looking a little sorry for itself. Reports were received that a glaucous gull with the left wing drooping had been reported from…

There are five species of grebes commonly found in the UK and this week all five could have been seen on the Reserve. Both Great Crested and Little Grebe are common around the reserve, being located in a variety of habitats from the lagoons at Pagham and Breach Pool, out in the harbour and in the case of Great Crested Grebe more likely on the sea at this time of the year. However the other three species are less common…

There was little time to take breath from the rain once again and the wet grasslands took on the look of ponds towards the end of the week. Over the week the Ferry Pool become a regular bathroom for 500 Dark Bellied Brent Geese as they would come in for there daily wash and scrub after the night out on the harbour. Careful checking of this flock may reveal an interloper, the much rare Black Brant; the Dark Bellied’s American…

The part of the week the weather continued to dominate the news as waves continued to crash up on to the spits. All this churning also brought some unexpected bounty in the form of thousands of sea urchins and starfish being washed up on the shore. This added bonus saw gulls of all shapes flock to the spits with hundreds cashing in on the unexpected food. Apart from the expected Herring and Black Headed Gulls this new…

Sorry for the slightly later posting of this week’s sightings as there was a no access to the internet this weekend. As the New Year approaches all the birdwatchers are rushing around to add some late additions to their year lists. The continued present through the week of the Long-Tailed Ducks and the Ruddy Shelducks allowed those who hadn’t see them the opportunity to catch up over the holidays. However there…

As expected the festive period tends to a quiet period for sightings as people prepare to celebrate. However a few brave individuals still get out and report back. The two ruddy shelduck and 3 long tailed ducks are now becoming part of the furniture for this winter as they continue to frequent the Reserve, many a birder hoping they will stay for a few more days so they can be added to next year's list. Out on the sea…

The winter storms are now rolling in from the Atlantic on a more regular basis and the movements of wildfowl from the continent becomes every more evident as the winter progresses. If you wish to see large numbers of waders and duck now is the time to visit. The latest monthly survey of the site two weeks ago has reveal that by mid December 12500 wetland birds are now seeking haven from the northern winter at Pagham.…

With last weeks report ending with some exotic visitors then this week’s sight will start with some more exotic visitors to the harbour. On Tuesday two Ruddy Shelduck appeared at White’s Creek at the north side of the Reserve. These very attractive ducks generally frequent more easterly locations as they are native Asia, South Eastern Europe and Eastern Africa. However there are many in collection around the UK…

All eyes were still on the sea at Church Norton throughout the week and it did not disappoint. The continuing presence of the Long Tailed Ducks brought a long string of admirers as they fed offshore. But these were not the only stars of the show, towards the end of the week the Long Tails were joined by some very obliging Black-Throated Diver, with up to 4 present right through to writing this blog. As well as this the…

The high pressure remained over the UK producing a week of mist but settled weather and for once very little wind. This made the conditions for sea watching perfect as the sea was like a mill pond for much of the week. Undoubtedly the highlight of the week was the appearance of 5 Long-Tailed Duck off Church Norton. First reported on the 25^th (when only 4 were present) they have delighted many of our visitors throughout…

This week has seen the end of the mild weather and the first signs that the winter weather is here. This change has heralded the arrival of many of our winter specialities in particular offshore. The mild October weather has delayed the return of the wintering Slavonian Grebes but on the 17^th the first birds were finally reported with a group of 6 in the harbour. This was the start for a fairly productive week offshore…

You know when winter has arrived when the annual management tasks begin. One of the main tasks over the winter is the clearance of vegetation from Tern Island in order to maintain open shingle for the breeding terns and over the winter you may well see our volunteers out in all weathers carrying out the work. It does have it’s compensation with a unique aspect to see the birds of the harbour. This week the volunteers…

As October draws to a close, the main bulk of the summer migrant have finished their southwards journey, leaving our chilling shore for warmer climes. The Atlantic depressions have started to sweep across the country heralding the onset of wintering, bring with them large numbers of wintering waders and ducks. Over the last few weeks the numbers of wigeon, pintail and teal have started to swell, bring their whistling…

Announcing a new event at RSPB Pagham Harbour

Saturday 30 November 2013 - 2pm to 4pm

Are you aged between 8 and 12? If yes then why not come out and have an exciting day exploring your local nature reserve and find out about the new club we are opening as well as trying out some activities.

Mud dipping : What lurks in the muddy depths of the old harbour?

Be a Bird Detective : Find out some of the birds the drop in…

RSPB Pagham Harbour staff and volunteers at the recent Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital Open Day making masks with children and chatting to people about native wildlife - supporting local charity and working together to give nature a home...

Look out for the team at other local events around the Manhood and Chichester area, and pop in during school holidays for regular kids' activities - keep an eye on the website for…