Friday, 10 January 2025

Itchenor

I spent the afternoon exploring another part of the Selsey Peninsula, this time Chichester Harbour between Itchenor and Snowshill Creek. 56 species of approx 4500 birds in 3.5 hours. Ebird list HERE.

The highlight was 3 Grey Partridges, the only area on the Peninsula where this species is hanging on. My 180th species for the Peninsula (might be 181 as I remembered today I saw the long staying Glaucous Gull on the Bill years ago). I also had a few year ticks- Raven, Barwit and Whimbrel so now on 103 for the year. Other highlights included 2 Great Northern Divers, 10 Red-breasted Mergs,  good numbers of Barwits and Common Gulls here (unlike Pagham Harbour) and 5 Sandwich Tern. 

A really nice walk along this part of Chichester Harbour with stunning backdrops depending on which way your facing- over East Head, the South Downs or Thorney and Hayling Island with Portsmouth and the Isle Wight further in the background. 

Grey Partridge- this is as good as the views got
Barwit and Dunlin (above) and Barwits and Knot (two photos below)


Brents- can't get enough of living amongst 1000s of these. 

Red-breasted Mergansers 
Flocks of Brent over Chichester Harbour with the South Downs in the background- magical sight. 

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