Just when the staff at RSPB Pagham thought they would have a quiet morning to chill out before their midday jaunt to Chichester for Christmas dinner they had their peace shattered by a mass murmuration of 15 members of Henfield Birdwatch. Nearly all wanting coffee!

Some, however, couldn’t wait to get started so trouped off straightaway to the hide that offers a view across the road to the Ferry Pool where some sleepy Avocets were bright and shiny, roosting close to  duller plumaged Black Tailed Godwits. Duck ID started with Mallard, Shelduck and Shoveler while Mike (trying desperately to have a day off from leading a group) found some well camouflaged Wigeon lurking in the grass beyond the pool. Turning round 180 degrees enabled us to watch small birds on the woodland bird feeders with Great & Blue Tits in the ascendency alongside Chaffinches and a hungry squirrel. Those of us who had stayed for coffee had the good fortune to see 6/7 Long Tailed Tits on a feeder at the Centre. By the time I thought to try and take a photo for the trip report they had all moved on. A Buzzard saw us off on our short spurt down to Church Norton where we braved a chilly wind to find some waterfowl and waders. The tide was a bit against us for getting close views of the waders but this was compensated for by the spectacle of hundreds of pretty Brent Geese munching away in the fields while chuntering away to each other, probably about the pleasure of a good feast after such a long journey from the wild tundra.

Carole, Helen, Gavin, Tony & Gill were rewarded for getting out to our viewpoint briskly by spotting a Kingfisher. John headed a little north of the main group and found 6 Red Breasted Mergansers while David and Mike headed to the beach and found a Long-Tailed Duck on the sea (well Mike was just a few seconds late for that one) and some Mediterranean Gulls. Carole found  Turnstones and Lesley pointed out a smart Greenshank. A mobile flock of Dunlin included a few Knot and eventually landed to do their sewing machine impersonation on a distant sandbank closely watched by dumpy Grey Plovers. Curlews patrolled the mudflats and  delivered their plaintive call to add to the piping of  numerous Redshanks. The sky was occasionally decorated with overflying Brent Geese.

Lunch was needed and we took this around the cars. Some people walked to the churchyard to visit the church. Helen took time out from culture and found a Goldcrest in the yew trees.

Next stop Medmerry. Two large water filled potholes at the entrance to the car park were successfully circumnavigated and we were welcomed by a couple of Reed Buntings in the surrounding bushes. The dead trees near the muddy channel appeared to be shorter by a few feet but still bulky enough to provide a perch for a Kestrel which obligingly flew off for a quick hover to ensure we didn’t mistake him for a Merlin. Redshanks pottered about in the mud with a backdrop of numerous Shelduck and a resplendent flock of Wigeon with their poshest feathers bright, even on this grey day. A flypast of large waterfowl showing their broad white wing patch  proved they were Egyptian Geese. A piggy-like squeal announced a Water Rail who remained sneakily under cover.

While walking between large patches of gorse we kept ourselves alert for the sound or sight of Dartford Warblers which on being found always became Wren, Robin or Dunnock. Never mind they were all nice to see! A slightly willocky Cetti’s Warbler song caused David to challenge Debbie’s adjective which on further investigation I have found to be justified. Debbie and I have always used that word to describe wistful sounds like the winter Robin song and have no plans to stop using it despite it not existing in the dictionary, so there!!! Beyond the gorse Lesley spotted a small tree dotted with a gathering of Yellowhammers and a little further on four Skylarks flitted overhead making their little burbling call.

A pesky microlite buzzed over the freshwater scrape near the seashore putting up a stunning cloud of Lapwings accompanied by a smaller group of Snipe who left one of their mates on the mud to give us a great sighting through David’s scope. Over the marshy fields to the east of the scrape a Marsh Harrier was hunting low over the reeds and grass to the consternation of the Wigeon and Teal. After having a look in the intriguing woven snail shaped shelter which has sprung up since last year we headed for the open sea.

This last leg took us to a crumbling viewpoint above the beach looking out on a calm sea which was perfect for observing any Divers, Auks or sea ducks. Unfortunately there weren’t any! A Sandwich Tern, who had obviously decided to brave the British winter, and a lone Oystercatcher were the total sum of our seawatch.

The final total of birds amounted to an amazing 77 thus exceeding the 72 of last year. I don’t think any one person saw all 77 but as a group we deserve a good clap on the back. The full list is shown below. Humans then birds!

Nigel & Debbie, Rikki, Roger K, Mike & Lesley, Will G, John C, Helen & Gavin, Gill & Tony, David B, Carole W