Thorney & Pagham (08 June 2013)

Saturday 8 June.  Barry Collins postings of an Osprey at Thorney Deeps, a cold NE wind and general lack of enthusiasm had John King and me heading west.  We arrived at Thorney at 07:45 and soon located the Osprey sat on the far platform at the end of Thornham Road.  It was closer than I've usually seen them at this site and after 15 minutes it flew to the nearer platform after a brief tour of the Deeps.  Half an hour later it flew almost overhead and hunted over Prinstead Channel before returning to the Great Deep where it caught a large fish (just out of our view).  It took the fish back to the original, more distant platform, and proceeded to eat it once it had stopped wriggling.  We then headed for Pagham Harbour where we saw 2 Avocets and 11 Black-tailed Godwits on Sidlesham Ferry and 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult and two first-summers) and 2 Little, 2 Common and about 40 Sandwich Terns.  Earlier I'd seen a Jay and a Raven over our road while 3 Swifts were flying around later and 3 Oystercatchers were chasing each other around over the allotment.

Large raptor, near the A27 and landing lights, perhaps this is the Booted Eagle reported from the A27 (just in Hampshire) by one of the counties more notorious observers in 2010?  Well the landing lights were claimed but I think most of us would be very happy with it as an Osprey

Although the bird did not appear distressed or to have restricted mobility, the pinkish feathering at the base of its right leg did look rather like a wound?

the local crows were not keen on it although this was as close as we saw them venture

the extensive breast and might suggest that this bird is a female?  

a bit of damage to the right wing might be connected to the apparent wound mentioned above?

Avocets on Sidlesham Ferry

practising synchronised preening?

Sandwich and 2 Little Terns on Tern Island.  My first Littles of the year - I'd forgotten how small they are 

Friday 7 June.  Black Redstart seen singing from Timber Yard,  Ringed Plover on the beach, Peregrine on the Chimney.

Thursday 6 June.   Black Redstart heard at Shed 6, 2 Ringed Plover on the beach, 3 Swifts over our road.

Wednesday 5 June.   2 Ringed Plover on the beach, 6 Swifts over our road.

Tuesday 4 June.   Black Redstart heard from Timber Yard, 3 Ringed Plover on the beach.  An evening woodcock survey visit to Lavington Plantation/Common produced 3 Woodcock (6 sightings), 3 Nightjars and a Cuckoo.  no sign of any Tee Pipits where 3 were singing previously while Tawny Owls were much less vocal and a distant Wood Lark was heard briefly.

Monday 3 June.   Black Redstart heard at Timber Yard, 3 Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper (my first of the year!) on the beach, 7 Swifts over our road.