RSPB Medmerry then The Burgh

 Sunday 7th November 2021

with Mark and Elizabeth

Martin and I were both invited to join Mark and Elizabeth for a birdwatching jaunt into West Sussex.  We spent the morning at RSPB Medmerry near Chichester and, after lunch at the visitor centre at RSPB Pagham Harbour, we relocated to The Burgh on the outskirts of Arundel.  The weather was ideal with fine, dry, conditions and a light breeze.  We were rewarded with some excellent birding moments.

RSPB Medmerry

We had several memorable moments here:-

• Perhaps the most memorable one was as we were leaving the reserve;  Martin was the first to spot 3 Glossy Ibises flying towards us.  What a view as they flew overhead and then appeared to go down at the far end of the Stilt Pool.
• Earlier we had a cracking view of a male Yellowhammer in the bushes about 30 metres from us.  Elizabeth, who was 100m or so behind us was also looking at Yellowhammers but she had a different male and 2 others in her view.
• There was a Peregrine which stayed put on a post for 20 minutes or so, affording us some superb views.
• Several singing Skylarks were much appreciated.
• Many water birds were seen as you would expect but there were no surprises.  Unfortunately we could not find the Spoonbill; it was located just after we left!  A ringtail Hen Harrier was also seen, but long after we had departed.

Over 40 species seen!

The Burgh

The Burgh proved just as enjoyable but in a very different way.  Now we were in raptor territory and there was also partidges to find.  The highlights are listed below:-

• The Red Kites dominated the scene throughout our visit with over 10 birds seen and many more cracking sightings.
• Perhaps the star species here was the Merlin we saw in a cultivated field.  It had its back to us so we could watch it for a considerable time.  Eventually it took flight to allow us to confirm the ID.
• Buzzards, Kestrels and a couple of Sparrowhawks were seen but we didn't see any Hen Harriers.  At the very end we heard a Tawny Owl calling.
• The Red-legged Partridges, 20+ of them, were seen first.  
• As the light faded we heard then saw more and more Grey Partridges.
• There were plenty of Redwings around but no Fieldfares.

A cracking couple of hours with the Red Kites, the Merlin and the Grey Partridges making it very special.