Swift over the Willow Trail
With N.E.wind still blasting over the peninsular this morning, it took only a couple of minutes to empty the over night catch of 9 moths of 7 species from the trap.I then decided to give The Patch a miss and went straight to the ARC where at least 100 Swifts were tearing around doing what Swifts do, along with a few House Martins and Swallows. A SAparrowhawk mad a half hearted attempt to catch a Swift and a Cuckoo flew through. A few Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and 2 Cetti's Warblers were singing in the shelter of the Willow Trail, but most things appeared to be hunkered down sheltering from the wind.
Burrowes held less Swifts, apart from a nesting gulls, couple of Lapwings, Oystercatchers and a Ringed Plover the emerging islands were empty.
Swift over Dennis's Hide
As I had go to London this afternoon, I took the opportunity afterwards to go to Pagham Harbour to try and see the Hudonian Whimbrel. I drove into a very full Church Norton car park about 17.30 ,thinking that with so many birders present the Whimbrel would be pinned down, wrong! I was quickly informed that it had not been seen since 14.00 when it had flown to the centre of the harbour, the tide was fairly high and there was still at least another hour to high tide, also the wind was blasting across the harbour into our faces, things weren't looking good.I found a position to scan the harbour that afforded a little shelter, after nearly an hour and half the Whimbrel gave a distant fly past, but was harried by a Gull and flew a little closer before landing back in the middle of the harbour. I managed some very hurried flight shots that are just about recognisable as Hudsonian Whimbrel. As I am staying in West Sussex tonight I will probably try to to get a better view tomorrow if it stays.
Husonian Whimbrel (not going to win any photographic prizes)
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