On Friday 27th January the group enjoyed its first walk of 2012 and the weather could not have been better as we headed off to Pagham Harbour and Church Norton.
We arrived at the visitors centre at 10.00am and it took us a few minutes to pull ourselves away from the feeders outside the centre where large numbers of blue tits, great tits, chaffinches and greenfinches were enjoying their breakfast.
We left the car park and crossed the road to look across Ferry Field. There were thousands of Lapwings which gave us a great view as they took to the sky. Herons and various ducks were observed before we crossed back again and followed the path down to Church Norton.
Two buzzards were soaring overhead with one being mobbed by a single brave crow.
The views across the harbour were stunning in the morning sunlight and we had good views of many waders and ducks. Some were flying in flocks too far away to make definitive sightings but the close ups of the Teal and Curlews were beautiful.
Carol took us through a coastal edge obstacle course through the trees that lined the shingle and then up onto to beach where the chill in the wind was a great fresher. We headed for the sanctuary of the graveyard and then walked back to the centre for a spot of lunch and more views of the feeders.
In the afternoon we headed north towards the east of the harbour. By now the sunshine was fading and some cloud started to roll in. Undeterred we continued to North wall expecting to find flocks of geese. But instead we found Lapwing, Curlew and Dunlin. There was a flock of something in the distance over Chichester gravel pits but too far to identify.
The cloud grew a bit darker and the first thunder clap warned of impending wetness. True enough we got caught in a heavy hail storm but it soon passed and we returned triumphantly to the car park with 45 different species identified throughout the day. All in all a great day out!
Next event is Warnham Nature Reserve in Horsham on Friday 24th February when we go in search of Kingfishers.
For more info contact please Andy Heater Andy.Heater@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
|
|
02/02/2012
