Selsey Bill and Pagham Harbour

Today my Dad and I travelled down to Selsey Bill in search of the Adult summer White Billed Diver that had been present all week. We arrived just before 11.0oam to find that it hadn't been seen since a possible sighting at 8.00am therefore we spent little time searching and instead went to Pagham Harbour to have a look for Pectoral Sandpipier.

Common Gull in flight taken at Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Common Gull in flight again of Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Mediterranean Gull taken at Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Mediterranean Gull in flight taken at Selsey Bill, West Sussex

After some lunch we arrived at White's Creek to find two other birders who were watching the Sandpiper feeding on the shore but instead of being confiding it was quite wary due to the Redshanks that kept flying up and flushing the bird. However half an hour later it flew round the corner so I ran round to the gate and sat on the shore waiting for the Pec sand to walk by (hopefully).

As I sat down I couldn't see the Sanpipier but a Redshank which allowed a photo oppotunity but when I looked closer there it was the Pec Sand about 30ft away feeding on the muddy areas. (others have had it to 3ft!!)

Consequently I got some good shots but the light wasn't that good therefore a slow shutter speed was used. News then broke of the White Billed Diver back at Selsey, so we then drove back to the bill hopefully to get a view of this cracking Adult bird.

Confiding Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper taken at Pagham Harbour,

West Sussex

Pec Sand taken at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex

Pec Sand taken at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex

Pec Sand taken at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex

Pec Sand taken at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex

Click Them for larger Pics

On arrival it was again not showing but a short walk up the beach led us to some birders who were on it. Although distant the views were good enough to identify the white bill, white neck patch, white blotches on the back and the black colour. This indeed would be a bird which I might not see again in British waters in this plumage and Im glad that I had the chance to see it. (this is my second White Billed Diver in a year following the Hayle bird this year)

I also hope the Pectoral Sandpiper stays until next weekend so I can try and get some even better pics.