Bitterly cold at Pagham Harbour

Spent a few hours this morning at Pagham Harbour and started at Church Norton where I had the harbour to myself, soon realised why as was soon exposed to the wind chill factor once out on the viewing spit! the tide was out so plenty of the expected waders were on view and plentiful, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwit's showed nicely as did the leucistic Curlew. Moving round to the Long Pool, at least 11 Avocet's were out in the channel before being spooked by a Peregrine and the Bearded Tit's put on a good show(2 males and a female) in the reedbed by the very first bench as you walk out from the ferry pool. The ferry pool itself was smothered in Lapwing and at least 50 Golden Plover were counted amongst them. Had to pull myself away to get to work via the Durrington Waxwings which showed well in Salvington Road (photo's to follow)



Dark-breasted type Barn Owl(type) - Southease - East Sussex

This bird has been stirring up some interest recently, thrilled to see such a stunning bird, Barn Owls are always special and we were treated to a 'normal' type aswell! Can watch these birds all day and the photo's do not do the bird justice...poor light, fantastic views.....photo's....do the weather justice!

 



A visit to the East side!! Bonaparte's Gull - Eastbourne

Made a visit for the first time this year to East Sussex with several target birds in mind! The first target was a visit to Prince's Park in Eastbourne to try for the Bonaparte's Gull that had been present now for nearly 2 weeks..the promised Eastbourne sunshine failed to materialise but the bird was soon located and showed well to the admiring camera club and a few birders amongst us! The bird was also heard calling whilst being chased for it's bread by a large by comparison Black-headed Gull...once fed, the bird was quite happy to loaf around in the middle of the lake. A very confiding bird and pleased to see another one in Sussex after the summer-plumaged Arlington bird a few years back and my first Bonaparte's being a first winter bird in Whitstable, Kent back in the late 90's, so this was a plumage tick...will be interested to see if this hangs around and starts moulting into summer plumage..could be worth a return visit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managed these in pretty poor light



 

Then we made a stop at Newhaven Harbour where we counted at least 24 Fulmars on the cliff face or flying around, there was also a Common Seal close inshore and scanned through the gulls in the hope of something interesting..which there wasn't!  

 

 

Moved onto Southease, parked by the train station and viewed the Dark-breasted type Barn Owl flying around the nearby fields, there was a normal Barn Owl also present...the light was grim the whole day so didn't help with the photography but a good day out and nice to connect with all intended