A survey by IFCA (Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority) revealed large numbers of juvenile fish using the intertidal creeks, including Sea Bass, Flounder, Plaice, Sand Smelt, Golden Grey Mullet, gobies, and Gilt-head Bream.
· Breeding birds: 16 pair of Avocet raised an exceptional 24-25 young (perhaps 25% of the Sussex population); 16 pairs of Lapwings raised 4-5 young; there were seven pairs of Redshank, six pairs of Ringed Plovers, and six pairs of Little Ringed Plovers (perhaps 30% of the Sussex population).
How interesting to see that Golden Grey Mullet & Gilt Head Bream are doing well here. Golden Grey Mullet have traditionally been found further down the coast on the Ferring/Goring beaches where they can be found close inshore, as in 20 feet close, in July and August; Worthing Pier could occasionally also be productive for a glimpse of these. Gilt Head Bream can be found more in Hampshire, Pennington sea wall being a favourite location, though they also turn up around Worthing and up as far as Lancing. I've seen Couch's Sea Bream from Pagham so maybe they'll be next on the list for a spot of Medmerry colonisation!
The bird stats speak for themselves with hopefully more to come.
Today, no Osprey for me at the east side of the breach but PH pointed out a Spoonbill and there were a few cold looking Wheatears about too:
Wheatear:
