Pagham Harbour nature reserve

[nytecam]

Anyone been there? What waterfowl there? My video clip from yesterday at YouTube - Pagham harbour nature reserve

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by nytecam

Anyone been there? What waterfowl there? My video clip from yesterday at YouTube - Pagham harbour nature reserve

Yeah, it's one of my local patches. Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis and Lapland Bunting all together last week! Good reserve but the hides are a bit naff and in the wrong positions.

Bit difficult to ID what you have there but certainly Brent Geese, Shelduck, Cormorant, Wigeon, Coot for sure.

[nytecam]

Thanks for that The birds were easily spooked so need a new cam with >x3 zoom as current - x34 optical cam + tripod in mind

[Jason Claxton]

Also consider a visit to Sidlesham Ferry,saw my first Avocets many years back ,there has been overtime some rarities too and I remember seeing a Least Sandpiper there a while back.I havent been there for ages though so hopefully somebody can tell you what is there now Nytecam

[Picidae]

Siddlesham Ferry is actually part of the PHNR (just on the other side of the road opposite the entrance) connected to, and levels controlled by, the sluices which lead into the main channels. It does attract some nice birds including some rarities but is a pain to watch as you are often facing into the sun with traffic whizzing past in between the hide watch point and the Pool! Usually has Common Sandpipers, Ruff, Avocet, Redshank, Bar-Tailed Godwits, Ringed Plover, Snipe, Shelduck, Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Curlew in the field, Common Buzzard, Hobby, SEO, Barn Owl, Little Stint just to name some regulars. I've personally also found a Glossy Ibis there, and Grey Phalarope but have seen quite a few other rarities there. There's usually Reed and Sedge Warbler also Reed Bunting. All depending on time of year of course but autumn/spring is good for passage waders on the Ferry Pool!

There hasn't been much of note around for several weeks on the Ferry Pool as far as I know but if you're wanting to make some videos, you'd probably best set yourself up on the side of the road next to the Pool itself or you will have cars zooming past in front of you - check the tides too, low to mid tide would be better - you can get a leaflet of all the tide times from the visitors centre a few minutes away from the Ferry Pool and also 'recent sightings'.

[Jason Claxton]

I remember also going to Church Norton,A while back is this part of Pagham as well Picidae?How is that place like for the birds?

[loripo]

I had looked this up earlier - there is a good PDF doc here...
http://www.sussexwt.org.uk/uploads/pagham.pdf

[Jason Claxton]

Cheers both the last time I was in the area was in July 1995 ,for the Least Sandpiper

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

I remember also going to Church Norton,A while back is this part of Pagham as well Picidae?How is that place like for the birds?

Hi Jason

Yes, CN is at the far (sea end) of the Reserve. It has a hide over looking the saltmarsh (and a new viewing bench now too). Here it's better to go when tide is mid-to-high, as at low tide much is hidden in the Channel (and you definitely need a scope either way!). Basically for anyone wanting to take a long stroll down the west side of the Reserve from the visitors centre it's a straightforward footpath and then through the church yard (all clearly signposted). Great again for passage/winter waders/large numbers of Brent Geese in winter. Also good for watching Terns (Little/Common/Sandwich/Black) at various times of the year. Little Terns breed here.

Regular waders include both Godwits, Curlew, Whimbrel, Knot, Dunlin, Ringed/Little Ringed/Grey/Golden Plovers, Lapwing, Green/Redshank, Turnstone, Curlew/Common/Green Sandpipers, Little Stint, Little Egret (in large numbers now), Snipe etc.

Regular raptors include: Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Osprey (on passage), Short Eared Owl, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard (on passage).

Also wildfowl include: Pintail, Widgeon, Tufties, Shelduck, Shoveller, Teal etc also Grey and Red legged Partridge in the fields.

Green and GS Woodpecker are resident.

Yellow/Grey/Pied Wagtails regular (large flocks of Yellow Wagtail on passage)

Seawatch also good from here (or if you have a car, it's 10 minutes down the Siddlesham Road to Selsey Bill). But scoped views will give good passage of Gannets, Red/Black T Divers, occasionally GN Divers, Scoters, various auks, and various skua species on passage. Eiders on the sea.

All the usual passerines (again depending on time of year), including Black Redstart, Yellowhammer, Spotted Flycatchers (Red-Brested also seen quite regularly), most of the thrush species, Stonechats, Whinchats and a range of warblers inc. Cetti's, Reed, Sedge, Grasshopper, Willow, Chiffchaff, L.White/common Whitethroats, Blackcap.

I usually take a day's walk from the Visitor's Centre down to Church Norton and along the spit (where if you are very lucky is a good spot for Wryneck!), double back through farmland and back up the west side to Visitors centre. (Very accessible by public transport with regular bus outside visitors centre connecting to Chichester for those that don't drive). Alternatively, I've often walked East from the Visitors Centre around the north side of the Marsh to the North Wall and then down to the Pagham Spit on the East Side (Church Norton is the west side of the harbour). The North Wall is excellent too (it's where the juv Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis and Lapland Bunting have been in recent days).

[Jason Claxton]

Thanks Picidae,yes Sidlesham ferry by the road,its all coming back now, the cars beeping as they go by,the sun in my eyes.I've actually seen a Wryneck at the place you've mentioned too.Cheers .Jason