Hey folks, just wondered whether anyone has visited this reserve and their thoughts on it. We are looking at a trip to the south coast in a couple of weeks for a day trip and that would be a new site for us but at 2.5 hours drive from home pretty much at my limit to then fit a days birding in too. Looks like an interesting site on the RSPB web site and I've not yet been disappointed but just thought I'd ask.
Slow down, look closer, appreciatte more.
Hi-
roughly where are you based? Might be able to suggest a closer site.
Pagham used to be THE south coast site if you lived in Surrey / Hants - I visited from 1974- 83 regularly. It isnt as good as it was- has silted up a lot and doesnt seem to get the birds it did. Check Sussex birding sites for up to date info.
Try Pagham birder-
Traditionally the way to do it was park at the Ferry pool and walk to Church Norton ( spring autumn) or work Pagham village side ( lagoon north wall) in winter.
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Try-
www.birdforum.net/.../Pagham_Harbour
S, thanks for the link on Birdforum, we live in Chelmsford, Essex, we have visited Dungeness a few times but that is as far along the south coast that we have ventured so far. Even that is nearly 2 hours from home. Our usual haunts are more into Suffolk and Norfolk but we fancied a trip south for a change so any thoughts and ideas are gratefully received.
Hi- more suggestions-
Pagham probably best in early Sept, late April, February. Can also move on to Farlington marsh in winter.
Norfolk east coast - winterton dunes NNR etc. I'm going to do that area morning of about Oct 26th. It can be good ( or birdless LOL) Gt Yarmouth beach for Med Gulls on the way back
Dungeness in winter - details from Aiki
Ringing an appropriate Birdline is always handy on the day before you go.
Hi Veggie
I've been visiting Pagham Harbour 2 or 3 times a year since becoming interested in birding about 4 years ago, and always find it worthwhile.
If you want to get an idea of what's around there at the moment, I see there are reports by 2 RSPB local groups who have felt it worth visiting in the last week or so:
Chichester
Crawley & Horsham
It is also mentioned pretty often on the Sussex Ornithological Society sightings page - Church Norton and North Wall are areas of the reserve.
This is the Pagham Birder blog which seymouraves mentioned.
Veggie, this is probably going to sound obvious but do you visit Rainham Marshes? We were there on Wednesday and that's a lovely reserve with a great variety of birds.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Thank you all so much for your input on this one. I have to admit that you have collectively persuaded me that a visit will be worthwhile.
S, Norfolk does sound good and it's been a while since we have visited the Eastern reaches of East Anglia, I think that a trip to Titchwell is on the cards fairly soon as it's been a while, but I will look into the sites you've mentioned as an alternative. Always good to visit somewhere new.
Sue, thank you for those links. Useful info and an interesting read. I certainly don't mind a 30-50 species trip, especially as I saw some lifers in there for me if we were lucky enough.
Clare, I don't mind anyone suggesting Rainham MArshes to me. We visit quite regularly and I agree they can have a huge variety of species there. I have been lucky enough to capture some superb pics (not my pics, merely the subject matter)of Water Voles. I do hope you had some coffee and cake while you were there, I have tried hard to find better in RSPB cafes, and failed. I am lucky enough for that to be a 25 minute drive if the M25 is clear.
THanks all,
Veg
I had a very tasty slice of lemon drizzle cake at Rainham - their cakes are to die for! The caff at Minsmere is also somewhere we love to eat at - the sausage and bacon butties alone are worth the journey.
I can also recommend Sculthorpe Moor near Fakenham and RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, near Brundall (for the birdlife, not the food!).
Clare, Deb, my wife, has had the Lemon Drizzle and agrees with you about it's quality. Cant do the butties as are both vegetarians, however on our last visit to Minsmere we were eating cake while watching the Muntjac finish off the last of the dislodged seeds from the feeders on the patio. Love Minsmere, want to get back there soon, saw our first Otter there.
I've yet to see an otter there, though I've been lucky enough to have seen bitterns several times.