25th November - RSPB Pagham Harbour and Selsey, West Sussex

The end of November, and what is now our regular trip down to the south coast at Sidlesham.  We arrived on Friday afternoon around 16.00, it had been one of those beautiful winter afternoons as the skies had cleared after early rain.  The drive was in glorious golden sunshine, but as we arrived the sun was setting and there was no chance to go anywhere but the bar.

After yet another wonderful meal, and a relaxing evening we were greeted on Saturday morning with a spectacular sun rise across the harbour, and frost on the grass in the surrounding fields.  The sky was a beautiful blue, and the air cold and sharp, and with it silence as the birds went about the priority of searching for food.  These were perfect winter conditions to walk across the marshes, and down to Selsey Bill.

After breakfast we set out, walking around the old quay where a small flock of Wigeon could be seen sunning in the grass by the side of the many inlets in the marsh.

As we walked the footpath we could see white frost on the grass where the sun was yet to reach, in the shelter of the bushes the sunshine on your face was pleasant, but once out in the open the north west breeze felt chilly and biting.

The tide was out, and under these condition the harbour looks vast and empty.

The Ferry Pool was quiet, a few Teal and some Shelduck at the back.  The RSPB have started to construct a new hide to look out over the pool, and the path from the visitor centre was closed.

We walked on, alongside the long pool where the sunshine lit up the reeds and sent some lovely reflections into the water.  A Mallard pair drifted through the view, the bottle green feathers of the drake catching the winter light.

A little further along, a pair of drakes were acting strangely, they would copy each others movements as if synchronised, as one turned so would the other as if they were inseparable.  I have seen this behaviour between a drake and duck, but never two drakes before.

The fields alongside the path were empty, wire and string hung between posts and sticks to attempt to deter the many Brent Geese about.  Every so often a group would fly out of the harbour and out over the fields to a distant grazing location.  Every so often the silence over the marshes would be punctuated by the startling bang of a gas gun.

Scanning the marsh and the mud there was a large flock of mixed waders in the middle.   were.  Groups were also in flight, wheeling around close to the mud, and flashing silver white as they turned in the sunshine.  Mostly Dunlin, there were also some Knot and Grey Plover amongst them.

An immature Velvet Scoter had been present over the last few days, and I scanned the channel in the hope of finding it.  Great-crested Grebes dived in the mid channel, and then I found it, the head markings clearly helping to identify the duck.  It was quite distant, but this is an acceptable record.

 

 At Church Norton we walked out to the spit to scan the inlets, and small pools, looking north you could really appreciate what a truly beautiful day it was.

A Curlew fed in the grass close to the edge of the beach.

Another waded belly deep in the pool in front of us.  The low golden sunshine picking out the beauty ion the browns on the body plumage.

And a single Grey Plover came close.

 Every so often there would be the bubbling cal of the curlews close by, but the silence was interrupted by the raucous call of the Black-headed Gulls as they fed in the channels.  We watched one gull as showed of a quite distinctive approach to feeding.

From the water it would fly up a few feet.

Then plunge head first down

Into the water.

Finally covering the head and neck before furiously flapping itself back up.

If it caught anything we couldn't see, but it continued with this approach, moving gradually along the channel as it did so.

We set off to the beach, and then along through the shingle.  Past the Severals where a lone female Tufted Duck dived in the open water, and on past the railway carriages and finally up onto the sea wall.  Despite the cold air, in sheltered spots it was pleasant and I half expected to find a Red Admiral around the houses, but, despite the falling leaves raising expectations, there was no sign of one.

Walking south the low sun was very bright, and changed the view of the sea and beach.  A Herring Gull perched on one of the groyne posts appeared almost in silhouette.

In places the shingle on the beach had been washed away, leaving quite a high drop from the sea wall t the beach.  As we walked every so often there would be the trilling call of a Turnstone as it flew from the stones, their presence hidden by their plumage amongst the pebbles.  

One Turnstone though had found an upturned shell that was obviously holding freshwater, and was drinking from a natural bowl below us.

In the scrubby land just past the East Beach area House Sparrows sat amongst the lichen covered bramble and hawthorn bushes, using the shelter from the bush to enjoy the warm sunshine.

A little further on we could hear the continued chatter of Starlings, and could see a large flock of over one hundred birds sitting in similar bushes in the full sunshine.

The sun was catching their feathers and flashing petrol blues and purples as they turned their heads and chattered away.

We had considered going to look for the Glossy Ibis at Medmerry, and other bird whose plumage would look good in this light, but a passing birdewr advised that it had not been there since early morning.  We had two choices to go an wait to see if it returned, and or stop now for a drink, and then walk back to give us time to visit the North Wall around sunset time.  We opted for the latter, and dropped into the Lifeboat for a drink, and then set off north along the sea wall, with the sun behind us, and in front of us a glorious view of the sea and beach in that lovely winter light.

On one of the basket markers a Cormorant sat preening.

While on the groynes, every so often there would be a few Turnstone, these resting while below on the shingle, other flicked over the stones in search of something.

The road is not tarmac-ed here, and  there are many deep and muddy puddles, but this did not seem to bother a female Blackbird that decided to take a quick splash in front of us.
 

Then my hunch came right, as we walked past the beach houses a Red Admiral appeared and settled on a plastic drain pipe in full sun.

Not my latest ever, but still a reminder that this has been a very good year for this beautiful butterfly.

At the end of the track and as we reached the boundary of the Pagham Harbour reserve we decided to walk down the beach to the edge of the sea.  The tide was now rising, but there was still plenty of exposed sand that was easier to walk on than the shingle, it was also secluded, and we were able to enjoy the view away out towards Bognor and Littlehampton, and the sound of the sea as it washed up along the beach.  It really was a most fantastic day.

There was little out to sea save for a Great Black-backed Gull and two Great-crested Grebes, along the edge of the water there were four distant Oystercatchers and close in a single Turnstone that ran in and out of the surf.

We walked up from the beach, and then back into the harbour at Church Norton.  The tide was still low but there was a definite movement now amongst the Brent Geese, and a large group could be seen on the raised mud in the middle of the harbour.

We walked along the railway sleepers past the hide, in the bushes was a large flock of long-tailed Tits and several Goldcrests.  Away to our left we could hear the constant calls of Brent Geese and had to assume they were gathered in the field alongside the chapel.  Every so often small groups of geese would fly over our heads, coming from the marsh and heading to the the others in the field.

We climbed up onto the raised wall, and walked through the bushes, at the end of the path, there was a gap where we could see the large flock feeding in the field, this despite the presence of the string and wire strung between the poles in a effort to make it difficult for them to land.

We dropped down onto the marsh once again, and walked through the oak trees, then suddenly another loud bang from one of the gas guns, we wondered if this would deter the feeding geese, and at first nothing happened, then the noise level increased and suddenly a dark wave of geese came over our heads.

I suspect that with the bang, the geese stopped feeding the majority undisturbed, then maybe a few were spooked and then they all panicked and they all took off.  They flew around the harbour, but very quickly turned back and flew back to the field to resume their grazing, as they did so they flew past a distant moon, unseen in the bright blue sky.

We made our way back to the Ferry Pool, where little had changed, other than the Teal were now a little closer and sifting through the mud in the bright water.

From the Ferry we made our way back to Sidlesham with the sun getting lower in the sky, despite it being only just after two o'clock.  We navigated our way through the mud as we crossed the fields from Halsey's Farm to the North Wall, and as we came through the gate and onto the wall we were greeted with this lovely view.

The tide was still rising, and duck and waders were still a fair way out into the harbour.   Looking towards the village of Pagham on the east side of the harbour clouds lined up across the distant sea looking like large rolls of cotton wool.

In the pool below Owl Copse a Coot swam through the inky black water that acted like a mirror to the surrounding trees and reeds.

In the bushes on the wall, Reed Buntings moved ahead of us, pausing at times in amongst the branches.

On the breech pool were Teal, Mallard and a few Black-tailed Godwits.  The Teal were tucked up against the reeds at the back of the pool, and with them were three feeding Snipe.

Two female Mallard were perched on the posts that run through the pool, lit by the golden light that was now sent across the marsh and reed beds beyond the breech pool.

As is always the way when we visit the North Wall, we walked to the Sluice in the hope of finding the Kingfisher perched obligingly close by.  And as is almost always the case, there was no sign of it, which with all the people and dogs about was not a surprise.

The tide was now rising very quickly and on the water in front of the sluice were two Great-crested Grebes.

Roosting land was now a premium as the tide rose, and turned golden with the setting sun

The sun was now quite low in the sky, even though there was at least an hour to go before sunset.

We settled close to the water, and as we did so the Kingfisher flew out from almost beneath us.  It had been sitting in the sluice all the time, unconcerned by the people and dogs that had been present.  We watched it fly low across the water to the far bank, and decided to wait to see if it would return.

Helen watched the sunset, while my attention was taken again by the antics of the Black-headed Gulls.  They would fly around and skim the water, this time though silhouetted by the golden water.

Then one started to plunge head first into the water, just like the one seen earlier at Church Norton.

Lifting off again and leaving a ring of ripples.

 I followed them as they circled the water, and just loved the silhouettes as they passed through the reflected sunlight.

While i was watching the gulls Helen concentrated on the changing scene around us, the falling sun dropping behind the remaining clouds.

While in the far distance the outline of the clouds looking like thin pencil lines in the sky.

It was now turning quite cold, the breeze picking up with the high tide.  We decided it was time to head back to the warmth of the bar.  The duck were now closer, and a drake Pintail sat alone on the water, lit by the last of the sun's rays.

As we left the North Wall, the scene was very different from when we arrived just under and hour previously.

Crossing the field towards Halsey's Farm a Grey Heron stood on the fence posts at the back of the field, taking in the last of the sunshine before it dropped away to the west.  The hunched up posture of the static Grey Heron will always be associated with cold winter's days, it goes back to my memories of the cover of an influential ladybird book series, and in this case "What to see in Winter".

Yet another wonderful day walking around the peninsula, again not blessed with any special wildlife sighting, but nonetheless enjoyable for it.  The weather had produced some marvelous scenes, and it was just wonderful to be able to relax into them.

We headed back to the Crab and Lobster, and a welcome drink in the bar alongside a lovely open fire.

18th November - Testwood Lakes, Hayling Oyster Beds, and Farlington Marshes, Hampshire

Another Saturday with heavy leaden grey skies and drizzle, and like the previous weekend, following on from a glorious sunny day on the Friday.  Its frustrating but you have to live with whatever hand you are dealt.  I met Ian at the entrance to Testwood Lakes, not one of my favourite spots I have to admit, but we do keep giving them a try to surprise us, and over the last few visits they have been supplying the odd taster.  The reserve is owned by Southern Water and Little Testwood Lake is a reservoir that provides drinking water as required to the Southampton area, the reserve is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Today we were here to follow up on reports of Hawfinch in good numbers, but as we walked around the lakes towards the visitor centre in the gloom and drizzle I had to wonder how successful we would be today.  The reports I had was that the Hawfinch feed along the tree line that is situated to your left as you cross the field from the visitor centre towards the path to the hides.  In the far corner there is a yew tree, and a five bar gate, and from a distance we could see thrushes, probably Redwing moving about.  As we got a little closer Ian picked out two Haw

finch at the top of the trees just to the west of the car park.  These were brief views and then the birds moved on.  One flew over our heads towards the far corner, and one into he car park area.  We searched the car park area but couldn't re-find them, so decided to walk on along the tree line, following the direction of the other bird

On reaching the path that turns back on itself to head to the hides we paused at the gate and scanned across the field.  On the far side was another Hawfinch sitting at the top of the tree.  Then fortunately it flew towards us and perched in a Maple much closer and we were able to get some photographs.

Tops of trees, a very silver grey background and distance do not all make for the perfect picture, and these are very much much just a record of the bird and its behaviour.  Branches get in the way, and of course the colour washes out, but it is possible to see the stocky appearance, the huge bill and lovely orange and peach brown plumage along with the grey blue nape, and the black throat patch

Hawfinch are notoriously difficult to see, they are extremely shy birds and are best found in the winter when the leaves have fallen and they can be picked out in the tree tops.  Even then there are particular places where they turn up.

This autumn however, exceptional numbers of this special finch have been recorded across Britain, many of them passing overhead at migration watchpoints.  It would seem that the much larger populations of this species that exist in Eastern Europe (Germany, Poland, Latvia etc.) have either had a very good breeding season, prompting a mass dispersal, or their food crops have failed (seeds like beech mast and hornbeam, and fruits like hips and haws) causing them to irrupt in search of food sources elsewhere – or a combination of the two. It is a similar situation to what happens in good Waxwing years, when wild berry crops are poor in their breeding countries, and it would appear that the Hawfinches are taking advantage of what seems to be a very productive year for tree seeds and fruit in this country.  The last time such significant numbers of Hawfinch irrupted into Britain was at least over a decade ago, if not longer, so this is far from a regular occurrence.

This location at Testwood is a regular sight, and as many as 21 have been counted in recent days.  The bird we were watching started to feed on the maple seeds, which are very similar to its preferred Hornbeam, a tree though that is in short supply locally, while there are plenty of Maple and Sycamore here.

A lovely bird that we just wished we could get closer to.

Finally it flew away, and we decided to walk on around the reserve.  Unfortunately the hides were not open until 10.00am, and we were left peering through the fence to see four Great White or Great Egrets as they are now known, on Meadow Lake.

We decided to walk back to the visitor centre and to continue the search for some more Hawfinch.  As we approached the gate once again, there was a flock of Bullfinches in the trees along the path, another finch with a sizeable bill.  The males flew off leaving this female in the branches.

As we approached the five bar gate in the corner once again Redwing and Meadow Pipits flew up from the grass, and as we got closer so did at least six Hawfinch.  They disappeared into the leaves and branches, and we were left looking up and into the trees, and listening to the ticking calls of the Hawfinch.

Every so often there would be a fleeting view, with the bird frustratingly appearing behind a tangle of branches.  Finally one did appear out in the open, but at quite a distance for a reasonable shot.

It is possible though, once again to make out the discernible features.

We waited some more, but finally decided that now would be a good time to change the scenery, and rather than stare at bare trees and branches, to turn our attention to reeds in the hope of seeing the reported Bittern.

We walked back to the Heron Hide on Meadow Lake, and settled down, finally at a window.  The Four Great Egrets were all on the lake, two were distant at the back of the lake as you looked out from the hide, one to the right the other in the reeds on the left hand corner.  At one point these two came quite close to each other and you coould tell from the stretched necks that this was not acceptable.  The other two egrets were closer, one standing on the exposed island in the middle of the lake, the other closer to the hide in shallow water.  

 

This bird was preening quite extensively, lifting the wing to have a good go at it.

Pausing with ruffled feathers.

Then it decided to fly around and join the other egret on the island.

The egret on the island was a little larger than the bird flying in, and the egret in residence was not too pleased to be joined and made its displeasure known.

 
Chasing off the smaller egret, that was possibly a female.

And sending it back to stand with the Black-headed Gulls.

In front of the hide three Pochard were diving.

 And with them a smart male Tufted Duck, who can resist them?

The Great Egret that was sitting on the island decided to fly off to the left hand side lower corner.  It is conceivable that these four Great Egrets have divided the lake into quarters for territories.and accepting that they only come together in the middle.  As it flew it cast a white reflection across the dull water.

A lone Little Egret had also been roosting on the island, it is unusual to think that this now common bird was out-numbered by its larger cousin, I wonder how long it will take before the Great Egrets become as numerous as the Little Egret.

The Little Egret flew to a post just below the hide window, and allowed the opportunity to capture some lovely portraits of the bird.  

White birds are always a challenge to photograph especially against a dark background of the water.  This Egret settled down for an extensive preen in front of us
 

Raising the feathers on its head to produce a crest. 

This Little Egret was sporting some wonderful feather plumes that would move as the egret preened.

 

They are becoming overlooked these days as their numbers increase, but deserve a closer look because the feather plumes are wonderful, and were one of the reasons for their decline, as the plumes were used for hat decorations.

A pair of Great-crested Grebes, another bird previously persecuted for its feathers,were also present.  They were first year birds and spent much of the time together.

Even going through a mock display, coming up to each other face on, and shaking their heads.

A large flock of Wigeon flew through with a few settling in front of the hide.  This drake going through some wing stretches.

One of the great-crested Grebes came close to the hide, swimming through the water's reflections.

All this activity in front of the hide was a distraction from the main purpose of the visit,staring into the reed bed on the far side in the hope of something appearing.  This though had not produced the desired outcome, and we decided that enough was enough. 

We made our way back to the visitor centre where we had a brief view of another two Hawfinches at the top of the trees before walking back to the cars.  It was still very murky, and there was drizzle in the air, but the forecast was for it to clear, and away too the west were signs of brightness.  We decided to head east, with a visit to Hayling Oyster beds, and then back to Farlington hopefully for the late afternoon.

As we drove along the M27 we encountered quite a heavy rain storm, and it was still raining as we pulled into the car park at the Oyster Beds.  We waited for it to clear while having lunch, then set off around the pools.  The tide was still quite high despite the fact that it was high tide about two hours ago.  On the islands around the beds were large flocks of roosting Oystercatchers, Grey Plover and Dunlin, while in the lagoons were several Red-breasted Mergansers.  On another of the islands a lone Curlew fed amongst the sea weed.

There was a bizarre incidence of a Kestrel attacking a Magpie, only for the Magpie to be supported by two others in chasing the Kestrel away.  In the main lagoons was a male Red-breasted Merganser close to the shore, they are always very nervous, and will immediately swim away.

This one then taking to the air to get away quickly.

 

Looking into Langstone Harbour and the channel with the 'scope I counted eight Black-necked Grebes, but along with the distance and swell they were not going to pose for any suitable photographs.  I could not though find any sign of the reported Great Northern Divers or Velvet Scoter.

The wind was very strong now, and while this is an exposed area it was not expected to be this windy, and we wondered about the conditions on Farlington.  We decided though to move on, stopping at the break in the lagoon where the water rushes out as the tide falls.  There were several mergansers here, along with Brent Geese and a single Herring Gull.

 

As we walked back to the car park, a single Redshank caught my eye for no other reason than the scene looked good as it stood alongside some vegetation on the mud.

We disturbed a Kingfisher from the side of the path as headed to the car.  It flew off across the water and we turned back to see if we could get a better view only for it to fly again and out of sight.  With the tide now falling fast a flock of Black-tailed Godwits fed and chattered in the shallow water close to the path.

At Farlington the tide was well out, and there was a considerable amount of mud exposed.  As we parked we could hear Brent Geese below us feeding in the shallow water and mud.

It was only 14.30, but the gloom had returned, fortunately the rain had kept away.  Our quest here was to try and see the Short-eared and Barn Owl that once again had been reported the previous day.  The wind was now not so strong, but the gloom would be a problem for us.

The lake was empty save for a few Teal and Mallard roosting close to the reeds.  There were several "pings" from the reed bed, but despite stopping and waiting no Bearded Tits showed. 

On the other side of the sea wall Pintail fed in the water and mud.  With the gloom the photographs become quite grainy which gives this shot the feel of a water colour painting.

There had been as many as three Kestrels hunting as we walked around the sea wall.  As we watched one it dropped like a stone into the garss by the side of the wall, and then came up carrying something that looked like a vole or mouse.  It then flew to a ridge a little way from the sea wall, and we walked towards it to get a better view.

It sat over its prey, tearing small pieces off that we could just see.

On reaching Point Field we walked around it, scanning the grass from the sea wall for signs of any roosting owl, then through it, in the hope of surprising one.  Walking down to the gate that looks out over the main marshes we noticed spikes on the posts.  These have been put there to deter the birds of prey and Carrion Crows from using the posts as perches from which to hunt the chicks of duck and Lapwing.  Apparently the numbers that have fledged have been down due to the increased predation by Crows and Buzzards, and it is expected that this can be managed by deterring them from using the posts.  From the gate though Ian picked up a Marsh Harrier hunting over the distant reed bed.

Back up on the sea wall there was no sign of any owl activity, the Brent Geese flew onto the marshes from the harbour.

A little further on the Brent and Wigeon all flew up from the marshes and we could just pick out the Marsh Harrier once again flying above the marsh and reed bed.

Spots of rain were now falling, and looking away to the west the visibility was poor, more rain was on the way, and with it the end of any chance of seeing any owls, Short-eared or Barn.  We walked back past the Information centre, and then through the bushes.  A Peregrine flew over us, but the cameras were all covered up, it was not hunting and disappeared over the A27.

Back at the car park another Kestrel appeared hunting over the scrub grass by the sea wall.  It was very dark, and as a result the photograph was blurred as well as dark, but some how captures the bird in its essence.

Two Saturdays of gloom and rain, hopefully next time will be better, however like last week the birds were very good, my first Hawfinches for sometime, and some interesting shots of the more exotic egrets that brightened up a dull November day.