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Siddlesham Ferry Pool, Pagham Harbour, West Sussex.
After having a lazy afternoon nap, I found out that a male Red necked Phalarope had been found on Siddlesham Ferry Pool this afternoon. So, after running around doing some errands, Becky and I rushed down to the Ferry Pool to see this delightful wader.
Though the weather was in our favour with clear skies, there was a fairly strong breeze blowing from the west and therefore, photography was difficult on a relatively choppy Ferry Pool. But the Phalarope was still there. We arrived around 8pm and as I left Becky in the car, I walked across the road and walked over to get a good view.
I joined a couple of other birders present who pointed out the Red necked Phalarope amongst several Shelduck chicks. The bird, though clearly seen was bobbing up and down on the water though mostly with its back to me. It was half way up the Ferry Pool also which didn’t help. It took flight briefly just the once during my stay but flew just a couple of yards closer. There it remained, quietly pecking at the water for small aquatic life on the waters surface, in typical Phalarope style.
I normally see one a year of this species but I think I dipped out in 2006, so, to get one so early in the year was a bonus and yet another quality bird for May. Apparently, a Red-rumped Swallow was reported yesterday on the Ferry Pool late afternoon. I didn’t get to hear about that one! Admittedly, I only came for the Phalarope and didn’t really search the rest of the Pool for anything else and so by 8.30pm, Becky and I were on our way back home for dinner. The Scops Owl is still singing at Thrupp and with 3 Cattle Egrets together at Lewes, East Sussex and a Squacco Heron in London, what’s next?
The male Red-necked Phalarope on Siddlesham Ferry Pool this evening.
