Sunday 14th September: RSPB Pagham Harbour & Medmerry Reserves (morning walk 4.5 miles flat, uneven in places / WCs open at 09.00 / bring own refreshments | afternoon walk at Medmerry 3.0 miles flat on good paths / no WCs)
Pagham Harbour is a superb reserve at any time of the year, but visiting in September is a prime time with some summer migrants still holding on whilst the first winter visitors are arriving. Increasing volumes of wildfowl and waders to be expected including Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Pintail, Wigeon and Teal together with chance of sea ducks such as Red-breasted Merganser, Eider and Common Scoter from the beach; Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, the odd Spotted Redshank and Whimbrel to also be expected.
Raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are regular.
Expectation of seeing 70+ species in the day.
Plan is to meet at the RSPB Visitor Centre at 08.30 to spend some time at the Ferry Pool hide and then a flat walk along the southern path up to Church Norton, the beach and the reedbeds at the Severals and then return to the car park for 13.00.
For those that feel energetic, the afternoon will be at RSPB Medmerry (car park on Drove Lane, PO20 7NX; what3words///serve.coffee.banquets) which comprises extensive farmland with gorse and scrub areas towards the sea, which transitions into extensive wetlands and productive pools before reaching the beach. A much newer reserve it is becoming an exciting location for rarer birds, particularly Spoonbill, Great White and Cattle Egret, Merlin, Dartford Warbler whilst also being a good site for Barn Owl, Yellowhammer and Kingfisher. Expecting to be back at the car park at 17.00
