Day in the field

Despite having a lot of work to do,  I needed to get a proper local birding session in, as it's been far too long- so I decided that being irresponsible was necessary and headed off into the field. I started off at Mill Lane Marsh and then walked from Halsey Farm to Pagham Spit and back. An impressive 86 species of over 1200 individuals in 3 hour 45 minutes, Ebird list HERE.

Highlights included a juv Black Tern and two Little Terns, two Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Green Sandpipers, adult male Redstart, five Wheatears, Hobby and Peregrine and a bit of a mid-autumn feel with 4 Wigeon and a Pintail. 

Sandwich Terns, Common Tern and juv Black Tern (all above) 

Juv Little Tern

Adult Spotted Redshank

Wigeon- from what I can work out this is an adult female based on the covert pattern (see below, from Reber). The greater covert tips look like C/D which is either adult female or juvenile male but there doesn't appear to be enough white in the median and lesser coverts for a male. The rusty tinge to the head and upperparts also supports a bright adult female.    

Male eclipse Pintail 

Juv Cattle Egret

The head-started Curlew complete with project bling

Juv Black-tailed Godwit

First-winter Willow Warbler

First-winter Wheatear

More Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern