{"id":5339,"date":"2026-10-20T10:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T09:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/croydon\/?p=5339"},"modified":"2026-10-20T15:13:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:13:09","slug":"pagham-harbour-saturday-26th-september-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/croydon\/news-blogs\/blog\/pagham-harbour-saturday-26th-september-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Pagham Harbour \u2013 Saturday 26th September 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For me, a probable Kestrel and a Buzzard that I nearly ran over were the highlights of my personal trip to Pagham where most of the group were already gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On my arrival, together with Teresa and Steve G and Oliver as we parked up in the overflow car park, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Chaffinch were seen immediately. We rejoined the foursome that had already arrived and, after a quick discussion we decided to leave out the walk to Medmerry due to very little being seen at the lake at the end of a long walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So from the car park we walked on to the Ferry Hide. From here we found a Lapwing and then another then maybe another thirty or so. On a fence post a Buzzard was perched surveying the scene. Soon after this Buzzard moved to the other side of the lake and perched up again.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Buzzard by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Back on the water a single Redshank pottered around on a patch of bare mud and then a much small wader caught our attention. We very quickly identified this as a Little Stint, something apparently not yet recorded here over the last few days.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Little Stint by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Little Stint by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Mallard or four were on one of the islands with a couple swimming around and by a wire mesh fence a male Pheasant was noted then a female pheasant was seen close to it. On the other side Carrion Crows and a few Rooks fed in the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some mewing high in the sky drew our attention to a pair of Buzzards flying around but close by a smaller bird of prey became more interesting. A Hobby was identified and gave us reasonable views. As it disappeared a Robin started singing its melancholy song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We helped a couple that were ensconced inside the hide to locate the Little Stint before we decided to move on to the sluice only to find that the tide was right in and still rising. Even so a couple more Mallard were seen and a Moorhen showed itself briefly. We moved off slowly along the creek with just a scattering of Black-headed Gulls either floating on the water, resting on the drier areas of grass or squealing in the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along the edges of the creek were quite a lot of weedy plants but whatever was in the greenery it attracted a lot of Chiffchaffs. We tried to make more of them than Chiffies but we couldn’t. However, in some small trees just ahead of us a party of Long-tailed Tits passed through. At least one Great Tit was seen in the same trees. Among the Black-headed Gulls occasional Herring Gulls flew around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we walked slowly on more of the harbour could now be seen and a few Little Egrets in the distance poked their heads up above the grass from time to time, sometimes flying off hoping to find richer pastures. In one group of Little Egrets there was one that looked good for a Great White judging by it showing a longer than expected neck, but no matter how we tried the black bill meant our hopes weren’t to be. More Redshanks and now a few Curlews wandered around in the grass or the mud that was still just about free of the tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A distant Great Crested Grebe could just be made out in a larger area of tidal water. Still accompanied by Chiffchaffs we reached the spot where another lesser creek joined the one we had been following. On the bridge we looked, or rather hoped, to find a Water Rail but the track we were on was quite busy and with the tide being so high this looked to be a lost cause with water right up to the grass and bushy edges so this proved to be so. While we looked out across the harbour a constant stream of Swallows with one or two House Martins were flying in the wrong direction, eastwards at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We started to make our way back to the visitor centre, stopping occasionally to make sure we weren’t missing anything. Another party, or was it the same as earlier, of Long-tailed Tits passed us by and a Cetti’s Warbler called out deep in the bushes close by. Steve G pointed out a pair of Stock Doves flying away from us and very soon after a Cormorant flew nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we closed in on the visitors centre a couple of Jackdaws flew overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hungry stomachs meant lunch was being demanded and those of us that had left our food in the cars went to grab the bags and went back to the picnic area. We chatted as we ate in the pleasantly warm sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch over we jumped into our cars and made for the Church Norton car park. The car park was quite full, but while we were arriving en masse a few drivers were already getting into their cars and left such that there was just about enough room for all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tide should have been ebbing over the last hour so we made our way through the church yard maybe hoping for at least one of the \u2018crest\u2019 species. Nothing materialized apart from a Robin we continued to the other side of the yard, over the low wall and down the footpath to the waters edge. Unfortunately not a bird stirred during this walk so we hoped that the harbour wouldn’t be that bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our arrival out of the woods and landing on the strand we were met with a large area of water that, if the tide was out, would be mostly sea grass and mud. However the little peninsula that juts out into the harbour a short way from us was accessible so we made our way there and this enabled us to get reasonable views of the little patches of islands that hadn’t been covered by the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straining to see what may be hiding on these islands, and the water in between birds started to materialize. Dunlin, Grey Plover and Oystercatchers were apparent on the end of one island.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Grey Plovers by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Black-headed and Herring Gulls were everywhere, either flying or resting. Close to one group of gulls a Great Black-backed Gull also rested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another little island contained a number of Turnstones with some Lapwings. A Godwit showed itself at last and closer examination revealed it to be a Bar-tailed Godwit.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Bar-tailed Godwit by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Bar-tailed Godwit by David Lowe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

An island of broken concrete blocks showed what might have been Wheatears but one bird on a more distant fence was clearly a Wheatear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the water Mallard and the odd Gadwall paddled around, joined occasionally by a Great Crested Grebe. At least one Grey Heron made itself obvious and several Little Egrets were fishing or flying around. We still couldn’t make a Great White out of them. Some Redshank fed in the muddy bits. The odd Moorhen was seen in the almost tidal shallows but in one instance a Coot also was seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several Curlew were noted but one didn’t fit the bill (excuse the pun). The markings were slightly different and the bill was shorter. It was identified as a Whimbrel.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Whimbrel by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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One of the Curlew seen during the day had been fitted with a tracking device. Photo by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We moved on for a bit of sea watching. As we moved along the watery edge we checked the fields on the landward side, also known as the Severals. As well as some Jackdaws and the odd Carrion Crow we noted at least one family of Stonechats.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Stonechat by Teresa Dowsett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Reaching the sea we found it was relatively calm and the tide was still receding. Sandbanks that were beginning to reveal themselves held quantities of gulls but were too distant for proper ID. A few birds were out at sea but heat haze and distance restricted identification. It was clear that the hoped for Gannets etc were not there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the while Swallows kept flying over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, apart from a few distant gulls on a sand bank and those flying over the sea, plus the odd Cormorant we eventually gave up and decided to go back to the cars and drive round to Pagham and the North Wall where we may be luckier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the tide had retreated substantially now there was mostly no change as far as birds were concerned. As we approached the final walk up to the cars a Jay flew over and a Blackbird did the same. Then as we reached the cars, not one, but two Kestrels made their presence known hunting over the mound on our right as we went up the path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having checked our routes we headed off to the North Wall starting point at Pagham village.  Out of the cars we almost immediately saw Robins, Woodpigeons and a Magpie or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now gathered together we stopped at the weir at the start of the walk and from here we did see a good variety of birds. First off and the most obvious were the Wigeon.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Wigeon by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even if you didn’t see them straight away their chatter was unmistakable. Some Mute Swans busied themselves on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Mute Swan family by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Pied Wagtail entered the scene briefly but we continued to examine what was in front of us. Closer examination revealed a lot of Black-tailed Godwits that had been strangely missing so far this day.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Further away an Avocet was seen, maybe there was more. As we looked on some Teal were found surprisingly close to us and then some Pintail were located further out.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Pintail with Little Egret by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Finally, even further out a couple of Shelduck were found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We moved on further down the track. Some of the group caught sight of Roe Deer in a field.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Roe Deer by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While common seals were basking out in the harbour .<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Common seals by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaffs were seen or heard, the former definitely being heard. In a bush further along one Chiffchaff was different and noting the very yellowish colouration and more pronounced eye line we felt it was a Willow Warbler. A Little Grebe was seen on one of the freshwater channels and another screeched loudly at about the same time the real one was seen. At about now David had to leave us to go to a \u2018do\u2019. So we said our goodbyes and onward we slowly trekked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little further inland were quite a few cows feeding on the grass. The grass here was quite low but there was no sign of any Cattle Egrets or Yellow Wagtails among them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We continued to walk further along the path, heading towards where the Egrets roost but there was no indication here either of there being any activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly, seemingly out of the blue a bird of prey appeared in front of us purposely flying towards the harbour entrance or Selsey Bill. Initial thoughts were that it was a Marsh Harrier but the head looked wrong and, after some discussion, we felt it could have been a migrating Honey Buzzard. It certainly wasn’t a Common Buzzard but it wasn’t doing what Marsh Harriers generally do and that is quartering the land hunting for potential prey and it was too early for it to head off to its roost. We still couldn’t be satisfied it was the highly unlikely Honey Buzzard so we stopped ourselves from formally entering it onto the list as such. Later referral to the experts confirmed said bird was, in fact, a Marsh Harrier in spite of its apparent weird activities. Another (or the same one) flew in exactly the same pattern a little later.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Marsh Harrier by Teresa Dowsett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
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Marsh Harrier by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Time was drawing on and it came to the point where the dinner party at least had to consider returning to the cars to drive back to the Castle Inn where our table was booked. As we started our journey back  I called out Cattle Egrets. They were now among the cows where just a few minutes earlier there were none. In the end we counted at least 8 individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Cattle Egret by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Satisfied with this we moved on. A chattering of a small group of Linnets drew our attention and they stayed in front of us, flying on to the next bush then the next as we walked towards them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We reached the little bridge over the weir and had a quick scan while waiting for the group to come back together. Most scanned the mud, laid bare by the tide when a little bird on a pole by the water caught my attention. Through the binoculars I could see I had found a Kingfisher. It stayed long enough for most of us to get a good to reasonable view but unfortunately Steve G only managed to see it fly off.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Kingfisher by Teresa Dowsett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Well, it was almost the best to last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Us in the dinner party said goodbye to those going straight home while the rest of us (all four) made our way to the Castle Inn and settled down for a meal. For those of us having pies all except myself felt it was good. For me there didn’t seem to be quite as much meat (rabbit) as there was in the steak and ale pie we had previously at this pub. But c\u2019est la vie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full up we said our goodbyes and went off home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species lists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Around the Visitor Centre and Ferry Pool<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

32 bird species<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Cormorant, Curlew, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Herring Gull, Hobby,\u00a0House Martin, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Little Egret, Little Stint, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Pheasant, Redshank, Robin, Rook, Sparrow Hawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Woodpigeon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butterflies:- Large White, Speckled Wood, Clouded Yellow, Small Tortoiseshell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon at Church Norton and North Wall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

48 bird species<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Cattle Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Gadwall, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Linnet, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pintail , Redshank, Robin, Rook, Shelduck, Stonechat, Swallow, Teal, Turnstone, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Wigeon, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other creatures<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Seal, Grey Squirrel, Roe Deer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clouded Yellow<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Clouded Yellow on red valerian by Steve Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Shore Crabs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For me, a probable Kestrel and a Buzzard that I nearly ran over were the highlights of my personal trip to Pagham where most of the group were already gathered. 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