Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Chichester Gravel Pits & Breach Pool, North Wall, Pagham Harbour, West Sussex.
Before my appointment at midday in Pagham, I thought I would try to get some more month ticks along the footpath adjacent to Ivy Lake, Chichester Gravel Pits. It was a pleasant day though a little blustery, but at least the rain stayed away.
I only took my binoculars as I strolled down the footpath, continuously gazing up above for a soaring Hobby. Out on the water, at least six Common Terns were fishing the water and I counted at least a dozen Great Crested Grebes on the water also. At least two Chiffchaffs were holding
On the island, a female/juvenile female Sparrowhawk was perched on an exposed branch. It looks as though the Sparrowhawks had nested on the island this year as expected. Time was tight and so I headed back to the car for my appointment.
After my appointment, I parked up in Church Lane and began my walk to the Breech Pool. Overhead, a small flock of three Sand Martens were flying north over the fields. Earlier, when I was pulling up to my client’s house, I spotted a Sand Marten flying over the rooftops heading west. Also, high in the sky, a Hobby was seen hawking for possible dragonflies. I watched the bird effortlessly glide in large circles high over where I stood then flew off over the countryside. A good start. On the Pool, both Mallard and Tufted Duck dominated the wildfowl species. Both had many broods on the water and along the bank. A single Teal was sleeping on the bank and nearby; a brood of Shelduck were busy preening themselves. Little Grebes also showed well as did several Reed Warblers flitting across the reedbeds.
On the walk back to the car, I tried to photograph some of the butterflies present which included Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock and a single Comma. I was only successful with the Gatekeepers!
I parked up by the main road and then took a good scan around the Ferry Pool. At the far end, at least 20+ Black tailed Godwit were feeding in the water. I also found a Green Sandpiper on the south side of the pool and at least three Common Sandpipers were present around the pool. A lone Teal stood out amongst the other wildfowl present. July is a good time for waders and with Pectoral Sandpipers and Buff breasted Sandpipers already in the country, watch this space.
The walk from the car park at Church Norton to the harbour was rather quiet, though a male Blackcap was seen well, singing from the top of a bush. Out in the harbour, I picked up a good number of waders present feeding along the creeks and small inlets. Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Turnstone were all added to my month list and a single Whimbrel was seen feeding within a creek nearby. I also added Little Tern to my month list too with a couple of birds fishing in the small creeks. Both Sandwich and Common Tern were resting on the mudflats in good numbers.
Between 2.30pm and 4pm, I decided to do a bit of seawatching seeing that the breezy southerly wind was still blowing well and plenty of Shearwaters and Petrels were still entertaining south westerly coasts.
When we arrived at the small car park opposite the Pony Field, I was hoping the Spoonbill would be on the stream within the Pony Field and lucky enough, it was. A fellow birder was making his way towards the bird as we got out the car and walked across the road. The Spoonbill, an adult, was showing very well, feeding in a raking fashion similar to an Avocet in the small stream at the southern end of the Pony Field. I reeled off plenty of photos and eventually joined Becky, Hannah and Scruff as they walked near the Harbour wall. As well as the Spoonbill, there were three of the over summering Wigeon present amongst the wildfowl. Also, a couple of Med Gulls were seen amongst the Black-headed Gulls. Black-tailed Godwits numbered around a dozen birds all feeding in the small stream. Lapwings looked as though they have faired well as a juvenile bird flew in and landed just a matter of feet away.
The tide was out within Emsworth Harbour but nothing of real note seen despite a lengthy search. From the Little Deeps, several Tufted Ducks and Little Grebes were seen and good numbers of Swallows were seen hawking over the reedbeds. On the way back to the car, a dark-bellied Brent Goose flew high south over the Pony Field
The Breech Pool at midday today.
Male Blackcap singing in Church Norton
Gatekeeper butterfly near the harbour wall
Siddlesham Ferry Pool, Church Norton and Pagham Harbour, West Sussex.
Me waiting for the Barn Owl nr Kingsley
Gannets off Selsey Bill this afternoon
Selsey Bill, West Sussex and Kingsley, nr Bordon, Hampshire.
