On Saturday 23rd January, Martin Sell led a joint field trip of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and Reading and District Natural History Society to Pagham Harbour in West Sussex. Brent Geese, Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveller and Teal were seen in the flooded fields near the visitor centre at Sidlesham Ferry, while Redshank, Knot and Pintail showed well on the creek-side mud in the harbour. Next stop was Church Norton, where the tide still had some way to come in. Prominent black under-wing markings made the Grey Plovers easily identifiable in flight. Other waders in the harbour included Dunlins, Oystercatchers and Curlews. Looking out over the sea from the shingle bank above the beach, it was possible with telescopes to pick out Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Scoters, while a bulky dark bird was identified as a Great Northern Diver. Turnstones were feeding at the bottom of the beach. A small flock of Red-throated Divers flew past out to sea while lunch was being consumed in the shelter of the sea wall at Selsey. A surprisingly close Little Egret flew up from a road-side garden on the drive back to Church Norton. As high tide approached, big flocks of waders flew above the harbour, including an enormous mixed flock of Lapwings and Golden Plovers. Bar-tailed Godwits and Ringed Plovers were seen on a nearby mud-bank, while 4 Avocets feeding on a distant channel were a satisfying end to a full day.
Pictures by Ray Reedman and Jan Haseler