The demise of Pagham?

This is a really interesting post from Brett Spencer's blog about the demise of Radipole RSPB:

http://bretteeblahblahblah.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/the-demise-of-radipole-lake.html

This struck a chord with me because I just can't fathom what is going on around the Pagham Harbour Medmerry area at the moment:

Sidlesham Ferry Pool is a shadow of its former self, think of the great birds of the past eg: Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird's Sand, Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-winged Pratincole, not to mention Phalaropes, Pec Sands...little chance of much now as it still has not been repaired. New hide? Why? Fix the bloody pool!

The Breech Pool is a duck pond most of the year as the run offs from the fields have become clogged with pennywort and the like and and are holding the water back when it should be running through fast and out of the sluices. The sluice gates are wide open but the water level won't drop because of this and the mismanagement of the harbour mouth. Solution? Well the spit may be cut so perhaps the harbour outflow can be improved but there surely must be talks with the landowners to rectify the situation? Spend some money if necessary RSPB!

The Stilt Pool is quite remarkable as a venue that has gone backwards incredibly rapidly, remember the breeding BW Stilts from where it gets its nomenclature? Now? Literally 100s of Canada Geese present and would you believe it, grazing cattle. The other day there was just a Common Sand here lurking at the  very back and even the Gulls had been pushed right to side of the pool by the geese and cattle! And all the nitrogen being deposited into the water will cause an algal bloom and de-oxygenate the water so zero will live there. Guess what? No food no birds....Get a digger and make a few more scrapes behind the shingle bank-this will take the pressure of the pool and could make a really great site-will it happen? Doubtful. Opening the centre of the reserve up would also be a bonus as would fencing off the outlying pools to keep dogs out-signs do not work, dogs constantly in the water at breeding season...

The now sadly deceased "Puddle" at Lidsey showed what could happen if the habitat is right: Pec Sand, Wood Sand and all manner of waders...we live in hope but not expectation....

Baird's Sandpiper

An uneventful weekend in East Sussex was considerably brightened by the appearance of a Baird's Sandpiper at the Cuckmere, showed very well, pics/video to follow. Earlier zero at Beachy Head and on Saturday just 24 Golden Plover of note at Rye ( no birders except me at Rye early morning, what's that about?? Isn't it birded anymore???!))

Video here: Baird's

Queen of Spain Fritillary

I arrived early at the site in Piddinghoe (at the same time as James from Seaford) and it didn't take too long for a "Comma" to become a rare Queen of Spain Fritillary as it popped out of the hedgerow in front of us! Nice! It was an active male and we chased it around for  a while before the threat of heavy traffic made me take an early exit but not before posting a BOC pic on my twitter to much interest...the rest is history as most of Sussex have now seen it and its two companions. Grateful thanks to the farmer & finder for access & details. Number 61 of butterflies seen in the UK for me.

pics & vid to follow

Melodious Warbler & Hoopoe

Both the Melodious Warbler & Hoopoe showed well today in East Sussex, videos on my YouTube here:

Organicbirder YouTube

Southern Migrant Hawker

I don't really do dragonflies but a Southern Migrant Hawker was found by AB yesterday on the small pool at the Ferry at Sidlesham & by luck was still there this morning.

It took a while to find (and ID!) but eventually showed quite well really for at least five minutes. Very difficult to photograph in the heat of the day but I might be able to pots a video grab later, fingers crossed.

Tree Sparrow

A Tree Sparrow was at Climping yesterday and after a terrible battle through the traffic from Thorney (where I dipped Osprey) I eventually got it for at least whole 30 seconds before it flew and was kept down by the onset of rain (presumably). I waited in vain for a while in the hope of a pic but no re-show...:-(

White-winged Black Tern

Went to search for the White-winged Black Tern viewing from East Head on Wednesday, quite surprised no one else bothered really. Found it with two Black Terns (in Sussex I might add) after 30 mins or so. It turned up later at the Stilt Pool at Medmerry where much better views were obtained!