23rd MARCH

Pair of Garganey, Ferry Field, 23rd March (photo: Andy House)

Saturday, 23rd March: Still decidedly wintry; cold and gloomy, with rain in the morning, becoming drier later. Wind cold NE5:   I must confess I didn't go birding today but headed up to the Bluebell Railway to ride a steam train over their new extension to East Grinstead - a worthy excuse, and as it turned out I wasn't the only birder to do it, was I Dave! Anyway, back to the bird news........ I don't have any updates yet on watching at the Bill, but it seems that Pagham Harbour held the most interest today, as follows: Ferry Pool - a pair of Garganey at midday for about 5 minutes only on Ferry Field. Also 4 Avocet, 1 Ruff, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Shoveler, 80 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck and 4 Curlew. Pagham Lagoon - pair of Goldeneye, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, 24 Tufted Duck and 60 Mediterranean Gull. North Wall - 200 Brent Geese, 150 Wigeon, 4 Black-tailed Godwits & 8 Golden Plover over (Andy House). Later, 2 Sand Martins were also later present over the Ferry and a Wheatear and 6 Sandwich Terns at Church Norton, (per Sarah, Sam & Sandra).