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Siddlesham Ferry Pool, Pagham Harbour & Church Norton, West Sussex.
There was a Wood Sandpiper on the Ferry Pool this morning so, needing this as a year tick, I headed down to Siddlesham Ferry Pool for a spot of afternoon birding. It was an overcast though bright afternoon, yet it was quite warm too. A light north westerly was blowing and judging by all the Hirundines flying over, the birds were certainly on the move.
Kicking off with the Ferry Pool, the water level was nice and low again which must surely be appetising for passing waders. But no sign of the Wood Sandpiper. Grumble! Despite searching through the Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin, I couldn’t find the bird, which might have flown into the harbour. A search through the Dunlin produced a Common Sandpiper at the far end of the pool and probably a second bird, which was flushed as I walked along the roadside. There were three juvenile Curlew Sandpipers at the far end of the pool, but no adults.
Overhead, Yellow Wagtails were flying past and a count of at least four birds went by. I did see my first Clouded Yellow butterfly of the season by the pool then head off over the road and out of sight. A Common Buzzard was seen distantly flying over the trees north of the Ferry Pool.
It was low tide when I reached Pagham Harbour and so I scanned the mudflats looking for the unusual. There were good numbers of Grey Plovers, most still in summer plumage, within the harbour and my first Turnstone of the month were in excellent numbers too. Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew and at least 6 Knot were seen as well as a single Whimbrel from the edge of the harbour. Walking along the footpath leading to the hide, I carried on my walk past and came across a couple of Spotted Flycatchers feeding by the shoreline. From here, I grabbed a few photos then moved on around to the churchyard. I joined a fellow birder in watching the Flycatchers, which was joined by my first Chiffchaff of the month flitting about in the trees.
Not a great deal else seen but a Green Woodpecker flying over the A3 on the way back home. Of interest, Portland is hosting some Ortolan Buntings and a Wryneck today.
Left, Eurasian Teal with a Dunlin on the Ferry Pool this afternoon. Right, a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher by Pagham Harbour.
