West Sussex and Hampshire (14 June)

I was keen to get some images of the Hudsonian Whimbrel and made a third visit to Pagham, this time with John King.  We started at Siddlesham Ferry seeing 7 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 2 Green Sandpipers and quickly continued to Church Norton. The Hudsonian Whimbrel was on the mutflats just north of the hide when we arrived at about 06:50 and giving good views, although against the rising sun to varying degrees.  We watched it feeding on crabs for just over an hour, its success somewhat explaining its long periods of inactivity on my previous visit.  We decided to head into Hampshire to look for the Greater Yellowlegs at Titchfield which seemed more regular in its appearances in recent days.  On the way news came through that it was on the reserve by the beach road so we made for there and joined a small crowd of admirers as it was as close as it was possible to be.  We had excellent views for 10-15 minutes until something spooked the Black-tailed Godwits it was with and they all flew off north, appearing to land on the reserve.  We also saw a Water Rail although not a patch on yesterday's views.  With negative news of the New Forest Black-eared Wheatear (it hadn't been convenient to go the previous afternoon) we decided to quit while ahead and came home via Thorney seeing a Greenshank, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and a Little Tern.

Hudsonian Whimbrel in Pagham Harbour

Greater Yellowlegs at Titchfield Haven