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Well, I just had to go for the White billed Diver off Selsey Bill, my second sighting of this species in just one year! I found out it was still there early morning and so headed off to West Sussex on a most beautiful morning. There was thick cloud elsewhere in the country but it was clear as a bell in Southern England.
Despite getting caught up in a five mile tailback on the A27, which took around an hour onto my journey, I still got to Selsey Bill in good time (10am). Parking up by the Bill House, I joined Tim, one of the local birders and he pointed out the bird about third of a mile out behind the green basket. Indeed, the bird was in full summer plumage and looked amazing with its pale yellow bill in the sunshine. What a cracker. Its dark neck and mantle with the spots clearly seen on the upper parts were the most notable points, but the huge pale bill clearly tells it apart from the Great Northern Diver.
The bird was busy fishing and only sat on the calm sea surface for around 30 seconds then dived again. Unfortunately, it was difficult to photograph, being so far out, so nothing came out when I came to print them off. Grumble! A pair of Sandwich Terns flew past across the sea and a Chiffchaff was calling in some bushes behind us and seen in some scrub as I made my way back to the car. October has certainly turned up some superb month ticks and long may they keep coming.
Making the most of the beautiful weather conditions, I thought I would give the churchyard a try around Church Norton. The churchyard was rather quiet but there was a little activity overhead with Skylarks and Meadow Pipits constantly passing by in small flocks. A flock of four Mistle Thrushes flew high overhead with one landing on top of a conifer at the back of the churchyard. A small flock of five Siskins flew over the harbour and headed north.
Best find was a juicy male Firecrest at the back of the churchyard on the footpath leading to the harbour. It showed well briefly with a Chiffchaff in company with it then flew off into a tall tree and out of sight. I met a couple of fellow birders and told them of the Firecrest sighting and they promptly went for it. Within the harbour, the tide was on its way up but despite a good scan, there was nothing unusual within the harbour. Nearing the churchyard entrance, a male Merlin flew low overhead and showed very well as it chased pipits and finches over the harbour.
A Greenshank flew low over the harbour nearing the beach and rested on the shoreline as I headed off to look on the sea. The sea was very quiet though a count of 14 Great Crested Grebes was seen. No Slavonian or Red necked Grebes on the water today.
Taking a walk north of the Priory, up to four Stonechats were seen in the fields and reedbed area and a couple of Reed Buntings flew by also. The walk down the track to the farmland was fairly uneventful with a pair of Common Buzzards soaring overhead and a Red Admiral butterfly sunning itself in the warm temperatures. Once I got back to the car within the churchyard car park, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard ‘drumming’! Then the bird landed high up in a tree within the car park and showed very well.
There is a long staying juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the east side of Pagham Harbour, in White’s Creek, wherever that is? The Blackpoll Warbler is still on St. Mary’s, Scillies but no sign of the American Buff bellied Pipit at Farmoor Reservoir. I’m glad I went when I did!
Church Norton and Pagham Harbour, West Sussex.
Left, a Little Egret and Eurasian Teal in Pagham Harbour. Right, one of the two Common Buzzards soaring over the farmland near the Priory.
