Pied Flycatcher(s)

Back to birding and no better place to start than Pagham, we began the day on the North Wall and were heartened to see the Breech Pool looking much better. Lots of birds in residence, Greenshank, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpipers, Common Snipe, Dunlin and of course the Black-tailed Godwits.  Even two Bar-headed Geese in with the Canadas. All was fine until two Buzzards flew over and then panic set in - six and two threes as some birds disappeared and others were flushed out. Fly by of a Sparrowhawk, two warring Kingfishers and two Common Terns completed the list.

Next up was Church Norton, two Pied Flycatchers had been reported the previous day but I pessimistically thought that they would have gone overnight. We met Chris Janman  who informed us that he had seen one only an hour before, so we sat on a bench in the shade of a fine tree and waited. We didn't have to wait long before the bird turned up - Sod's Law - I hadn't bothered to get the camera out - panic to get set up but the bird remained in the vicinity and I managed to capture it. During the next couple of hours we discovered there were at least two birds present and probably three, but they were mobile. Chris had noticed that one bird had more white markings than usual and he was proved right as I managed to snap a bird with an extra wing bar and a white patch - consensus is that it is just a PF - excitement over.

All in all a good start to the coming migration.



 

 

 

Definitely two present.



 

Martin and I had a go at deciphering the ring but all I got was a best guess of Z49592, which doesn't look to be complete.

 

 

 

And some from the North Wall

 

Bar-headed Goose

At least there are still fish available

Waders well represented

 

 

 

 

 

Terek Sandpiper

Just after 1100 this morning I noticed a Tweet from David Buckingham posting a sighting of a Terek Sandpiper at Church Norton, Pagham. I sent an email to Martin followed by a text but sadly no reply, I knew that he would be busy as it was Father's Day so I let it slide, birding on a Sunday is not my bag - all those crowds. Anyway, late afternoon I received a call from Martin, paternal duties now discharged, should we give it a go?

The result was that we found ourselves at Church Norton amidst the throng. First birder we met was David himself who, flushed with the success of the Terek, was now chasing the Hudsonian Whimbrel. The sandpiper had disappeared with the rising tide and a line of birders was stretched out on the spit waiting patiently.

Really nice to meet Jan and Barbara from the RSPB who were dispensing tea and biscuits, thanks very much, it was much appreciated. Also to have a meaningful discussion about the RSPB and its reserves, something I can be quite opinionated on.

Finally a keen eyed birder spotted the bird, albeit at a fair distance, thus affording only record shots. Even so, nice to have another lifer in the bag.

 

As promised Jan

Church Norton and the West Side

Yesterday brought a clear blue sky and bright sunshine for a change. I arrived at Church Norton early and expected to find large changes following the tree clearance, not as bad I thought it might have been, all done very thoughtfully with plenty of cover remaining - credit to the RSPB. The churchyard was very quiet except for a large influx of Blackbirds, I checked each one in the hope of finding one of the recently reported Ring Ouzels. I did a quick loop through the back and along the shore to the hide, in the bushes were a few Chiffchaffs and the occasional Blackcap whilst out in the harbour the usual suspects were showing but no sign of any larger egrets. On down to the beach. By the gate four late Swallows were feeding in the lee of the taller trees,  a large flock of Greenfinches on the beach, probably 50 birds in three groups, I wasn't sure whether they had just arrived or if the resident flock had  been reinforced. It all seemed very quiet for the time of year.

Back to the churchyard where I met Andrew House who also had little to report, so I decided to take a walk up the west side. With the tide rising rapidly I expected to see some activity but birding remained fairly slow. The Robin population has increased much the same as the Blackbirds, they are everywhere. As I reached the southern end of Long Pool I paused at the bench for about an hour, lots of Teal and Wigeon being pushed up the creek as the mud disappeared, a Kingfisher raced down towards the harbour, too quick for a shot. Behind me there were Stonechats, Linnets, a large number of Reed Buntings and a solitary Rock Pipit. Then I heard the unmistakeable "ping", two Bearded Tits landed in the reeds about fifteen yards away, everything was wrong, I was below them and the angle of the sun not optimum. I managed to locate a male for a few seconds, then the pair rose into the air, one went north the other south, never to be seen again. The walk back to the car at Church Norton was a bit of an anti-climax, I swear the Redshanks were laughing at me. However, I was lifted when I saw five Avocets relocating out in the harbour.

Church Norton

Out at last!!  A trip to Church Norton where despite "belligerent" Robins, "aggressive" red ants, and a very "inconsiderate" birding party I managed to get up close and personal with two of my favourites - Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. A Pied Flycatcher had been seen earlier in the day but unfortunately no sign.

 

 



 The highly active ants were delighting several Green Woodpeckers in the graveyard, obviously the bases of headstones are a great site for an ants nest.

Other species included a large flock of Wilchiffs, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and a huge amount of Swallows