Yesterday morning I headed southwards to Pagham Harbour and arrived just under two hour before high tide so most of the wildlife was very distant but would slowly get closer as the day wore on.
Little Egret fishing on the Lagoon Pool.
Other species included Little and Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Ducks, Mute Swan and Coots.
As I headed inland there were the usual Black-headed Gulls, Black-tailed Godwits and Curlew feeding plus a few Magpies. Lots of Swallows were skimming the water and feeding up before their long journey south for the winter. Linnets, Goldfinches and Chiffchaffs were also seen.
As I approached the North Wall two Common Sandpipers called as they flew off but fortunately one returned but it was well camouflaged amongst all the tidal sludge! During the next 45 minutes I added Grey Wagtail, Teal, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Grey Heron, Reed Warbler, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Robin, Woodpigeons and Carrion Crow.
I then joined up with a group of birders who were watching a WRYNECK and just managed a distant record shot (heavily cropped) before it flew out of sight.
While scoffing my packed lunch several Little Egrets flew overhead, a Cetti's Warbler called out several times and I also added Reed Buning, Greenftinch, Common Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Starlings, Common Buzzard and Kestrel to my day list.
The only real 'full frame' shot of the day...a Migrant Hawker sunning itself.
On the return journey back to the car a Northern Wheatear provided one of the last photo opportunities.
I slowly crept closer and closer before it decided to find another resting post. Won't be long before it takes off and heads southwards towards Africa.
Finally it was time to stop 'swanning around' and head home. FAB
