Pagham harbour/north wall

Over 1000 wigeon on and around the north fields today,also at least 12 barnacle geese,and one white fronted goose left behind from this morning's flock.

Blackcap

Male blackcap feeding on sunflower hearts in my garden at Pagham.

Long eared owl

The harsh winter weather has once again returned to the south coast,and parts
of Pagham harbour are once again frozen solid.Many of the ducks and waders have congregated in the unfrozen water around Whites creek, and two water rails were seen out in the open on the lower north wall path.Roosting half hidden in hawthorn bushes in nearby farmland was this superb long eared owl.

Waxwings

Today I finally managed to get to see some of the many waxwings
that have arrived in the country this winter. A flock of about 30
birds showed very well in Petersfield today from 12.00 to 1.00pm.
The birds were very nervous and often flew off when a car passed,
but regularly returned to the same berry bushes to feed.

Garden birds

Even though most of the snow and ice has gone this morning
it's still cold and damp with rain and hail showers.
Birds seen around the garden today include,6 reed buntings
6 greenfinches,4 chaffinches,3 dunnocks,2 blue tits,2 great
tits,a blackbird and a robin.

male reed bunting

Winter at Pagham harbour

Bitterly cold down at the harbour today,with the breach pool frozen solid.
Still large numbers of wigeon and lapwing out in the harbour and lots
of dunlin feeding close to the north wall. A female merlin dashing over
the breach pool was the highlight of the day,as well as some snipe showing very well, having been forced out into the open by the frozen ground.


wigeon drake

breach pool,frozen and devoid of birds.