A note from the North Wall

I tend to head to the Church Norton side when I visit Pagham Harbour, so a recent visit to the North Wall was a refreshing change, and full of action! Waders included returning Whimbrel, Knot, Grey Plover and Common Sandpiper, as well as the famous stubby-billed Greenshank back in its usual creek. A juvenile Peregrine buzzed the Cattle Egrets, of which there were many recently-fledged youngsters loafing around.

A group of five juvenile Little Ringed Plovers picked over the parched surface of the Breach Pool, and further along two young Kingfishers waited patiently in vegetation overhanging the bank. Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers crept through the bushes and reeds and, looking back out into the harbour, the summering Dark-bellied Brent Goose was out on the mudflats among the waders.

Cattle Egret

Curlew

Grey Plover (those with black 'armpits') and Knot

curious Kingfisher

juvenile Peregrine — sky-reaper in training

juvenile Little Ringed Plover — one of five

Sedge Warbler pausing in the open for a moment

male Reed Bunting