We had done our homework and we knew that Selsey Bill and
Bracklesham Bay would allow us to watch gulls, terns and maybe some waders with
the former site being more important during the migratory months.
CHURCH NORTON (Grid reference SZ 872 958 ) is located on the edge of Pagham
Harbour and is an interesting location having mature trees and a tidal marsh
with shingle banks. Singing over head was a Song Thrush and on a tree opposite
was a male Green Woodpecker. Looking over the marsh we could see Black-tailed
Godwit with Curlew showing well and calling. Oystercatchers were easily evident
and nesting with Greenshank and Redshank feeding in the mud. We saw one
Sandwich Tern with numerous Black-Headed and Herring Gulls doing their own
noisy thing. Both Heron and Little Egret were seen but with weather and time
against us we felt that there was much more to see on a return visit.
We then visited The RSPB Reserve which is located on the
Selsey/Chichester road and is sign posted. Persistent rain drove us into a hide
which overlooked a lake which provided very good views of various waders, including
Lapwing and a Little Gull. Leaving the hide we saw and photographed a White
Throat.
The above locations are important sites and we would
recommend the latter two. The Wildfowl & Wetland Centre at Arundel is a
must. There are many ducks and geese to observe but our aim was to see the
Water Vole. We visited this site on both days and saw voles on each of them and
more than once on each boat ride. We sat within feet of them while they chewed
away. They are just great to see.
Our other stars were Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler
rattling away in the reed outside reception. Peregine Falcons also obliged on
both occasions and we watched a perched one drying himself out after rain. We
just needed more time.
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