Pagham & Medmerry October 2026

Optimism over the weather proved totally justified as six of us enjoyed a smashing day out at Pagham and Medmerry reserves on 16^th October. Shame the tide was out about as far as it could possibly be but you can’t have everything. Roger is great at spotting raptors miles up in the air but Curlew Sandpipers at 500 yards is a bit beyond him. We welcomed our new member Paul when we arrived at the RSPB Centre for the customary first activity of coffee and biscuits.

The Ferry Pool hide gave us views of Lapwings, Black Headed Gulls and a spattering of Teal and Wigeon. A Buzzard had some problems deciding which was the comfiest post to sit on. No finches on the feeders as RSPB followed their own guidelines and haven’t started yet.

Things warmed up a bit when we trundled off for the usual circular walk past the water channel and harbourside. A number of Redshanks were probing the ooze watched by a group of Teal and the wonderful, wild call of Curlews could be heard. An Avocet with just  the top of its head showing was a sharp piece of spotting! It eventually became less shy and gave us a better view. One or two of the Curlews also showed themselves and one of them looked suspiciously different in the bill department. Just occasionally birds play ball and this one zoomed off making the explosive seven note call of the Whimbrel. It may have been warning the others about the Marsh Harrier patrolling over the saltmarsh.

We also found an information board telling us about a train which ran along the line of our footpath between 1897 and 1935. It was part of the line from Chichester to Selsey and among other nicknames was dubbed the Sidlesham Snail. Apparently a bit of a boneshaker.

We decamped to Church Norton where the low tide meant there were less waders visible but there were Shelduck, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Heron, Little Egrets and Great Black Backed Gulls. A Spitfire buzzing around over the harbour grabbed Louis’ attention and he told us it could well be piloted by his neighbour’s son. Shame he didn’t spot Louis and give us a loop the loop.  

The path towards the sea follows a hedge which blocks the view over the wet grassland alongside it. This can be frustrating when trying to decide whether or not small birds on fence posts are Stonechats. Angela became extremely unco-operative by refusing to be tossed over the hedge to get a proper view and report back. We moved on to the beach where Roger reported a top speed flypast of small waders and the rest of us enjoyed the bracing ozone which eventually brought on a desire for food. As we left the beach a late party of Swallows twittered overhead as they prepared to say goodbye to northern climes for the winter.

Lunch was taken, as has become customary, in Church Norton churchyard on seats/wall opposite a grave belonging, as Roger pointed out, to a gentleman known as Smiler. And well he might have smiled watching Will’s antics with his flask. He proved it is always a good idea to put the stopper back in before you put the flask top back on. It can prevent you spattering yourself with coffee! Meanwhile Paul announced he was playing Satsuma roulette. This involves discovering whether your fruit has an even or odd number of segments. Either one or the other of these is unusual but I can’t now remember which. Not sure you can win much money on the outcome! Louis could be heard imploring a Long-Tailed Tit to stay still enough to be photographed.

Time was marching on so we headed off to Medmerry. Here we started to find small birds around the gorse and scrub. A variety of Tits including Long Tailed, Robins, Goldfinches, Wren and Dunnocks.

Our friend Merlin thought a Dartford Warbler was calling but none of us could corroborate it so it didn’t make the trip list. As the vegetation started to thin out we began to find birds in the fields and the patches of water amongst the reeds. A small flock of Linnets entertained us for a while and our only Yellowhammer made a flyover. Meadow Pipits flitted around and we heard Skylarks making their pretty burbling sounds. Somewhere amongst the waterside vegetation a couple of Cetti’s Warblers belted out their staccato song.

As usual corvids were in evidence including a flappy Jay whose flight Angela always likens to someone rowing a boat. A bonus was heralded by a deep cronk as a Raven passed overhead. A Great White Egret stood out amongst a few Little Egrets and a lone Cattle Egret. A similar size comparison could be made between the tough guy Great Black Backed Gulls and the dainty Black Headed.

A small group of Starlings heralded our arrival at the largest freshwater body on the reserve. Here at last were some waders – Lapwing, Redshank, a lone Grey Plover, a group of Golden Plover and a few elegant Greenshanks. Roger noted one or two Pied Wagtails on the mud which alerted us to a large group of smaller waders. Lots and lots of Ringed Plovers! They were highly entertaining and noisy. They chased each other around and squabbled with the odd Dunlin amongst them. Certainly my favourite bird of the day. We added Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Coot and Moorhen and some geese – Canada (of course), Greylag and four delightful Egyptian, originally an introduced species but none the less attractive for all that. Far across the fields we made out two Swans, the only ones all day.

Having made it to the beach with great views across to the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth we headed for the car park. Our only Kestrel hovered, a lone Stock Dove zoomed and right by the cars – a House Sparrow! Another really enjoyable day out and 61 species. Thanks to Louis for the photos.