Selsey Bill

I  arrived at Selsey Bill car park a tad after 0600, surprised by two things, the number of cars already parked and the fact the weather was not quite as forecast, the promised south easterly was still stuck firmly in the north east. Having set up my scope and chair amongst a host of birders I sat and waited for the action to commence, and I waited and waited, after four hours I cut my losses and departed for a walk round Church Norton. However, I wasn't totally unrewarded as Little Tern, Yellow Wagtail and, oddly enough, Whimbrel gave me year ticks. The Whimbrel were "lolloping"  along the beach when Owen Mitchell worked his magic and called them into range for a camera shot. Thanks Owen, with a bit more effort we could have had them down sun and a bit less altitude.

 Several Great Northern Divers were offshore and gave splendid views in the clear early morning light. Additionally, sightings of a dolphin and seal made up for the lack of Skuas. Commic and Sandwich Terns were feeding close to the shore line, and an incoming Hobby rounded off the watch.

At Church Norton things were pretty quiet, still plenty of  Whitethroats about but precious little else. I ambled round to the hide but found nothing so carried on up the path along the west side disturbing a pair of Shelducks  which were getting very friendly.

 

 

 

Plenty of butterflies about and I noted Peacock, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood. The gorse bushes are in full bloom, in the heat of the morning sun the scent was an overpowering smell of coconut. As always, amongst the sea of yellow, a male Linnet posed perfectly. The extensive reedbed was alive with Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and vociferous Cetti's

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Broom doesn't look too bad either.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the local Crows were desperately trying to find the Dunnock's nest in the garden. However, just minutes later, the Crow was performing aerobatics to drive away a Herring Gull from its own nest. A case of the biter bit! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mud, mud, glorious mud!

Falling water levels have left the mud in Breech Pool exposed at last and of course the waders are taking advantage of it. This morning when I arrived on the North Wall  I could see Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, a single Greenshank, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank and a full supporting cast of ducks.

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Redshanks

Redshanks

 Out in the harbour two Yellow Legged Gulls stood out for all to see. Later, as the tide came in a Whimbrel came close enough for some photography. Then as forecast, some rain - how unusual.

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Whimbrel