Both the Bonaparte's Gull and RC Pochard seen this morning.

Saturday 9th April 2022.

The Bonaparte's Gull on East Trout Lake, Chichester Gravel Pits this morning.

This morning, it was back to Chi Pits for the Bonaparte’s Gull and this time, Andy and I were in luck and not only that, the drake Red-crested Pochard showed reasonably well too. I knew it was going to be cold last night, but I did not realise how cold it was, especially as I was scraping ice off my windscreen at 7am this morning! I did not bother with my moth box this morning, but Andy had his own and of course, it was a complete blank for moths. Never mind, there was bigger fish to fry as they say.

A flock of Cormorant heading south high over the Gravel Pits this morning. 

This muddy drake Pochard had obviously been feeding while on Ivy Lake. 

A preening Great Crested Grebe and Tufted Duck on East Trout Lake. 

I had a good chat with my Dad first thing this morning at his house and then made my way to Andy’s house to pick him up for the trip into West Sussex again. It was a bright sunny morning and though a bit fresh, I did not have to don my coat and so parking up in the lay by on Selsey Road, we slowly took a stroll along the footpath adjacent to Ivy Lake. A Common Tern was present yesterday here but no sign of any this morning nor any Hirundines whatsoever, which was very disappointing. We regularly checked Ivy Lake for anything of note, but apart from good numbers of both Tufted Duck, Pochard and Great Crested Grebe, it was rather quiet.

The drake Red-crested Pochard eventually came out of its coma and showed nicely for a while on Ivy Lake.

The Black Swan was present again this morning and a lot closer than last week.

Lesser Celandine were in flower along the main footpath. 

Both Chiffchaff and Blackcap were in good numbers and in good voice, but where were the Sedge Warbler and Willow Warblers? It seems migration is a little slow at present, though the winds are due to change to southerly over the next week which should provide the floodgates  for migration. When we reached East Trout Lake, the favoured lake for the Bonaparte’s, there was no sign of the bird, but on nearby Ivy Lake, I found the drake Red-crested Pochard asleep under the branches of a large bush. It was a tad distant, but eventually, the bird was pushed out of its roosting place and came out for a swim for around ten minutes or so. 

The flowering plant, Honesty, growing abundantly along Peckham's Copse Road.

This female Sparrowhawk was soaring over New Lake with its mate. 

This Chiffchaff came very close to where we stood by New Lake. 

After having a good chat with Titchfield Haven birder, Dave Wallace, we made our way east along the footpath, checking the other pools for anything of note. A few Cetti’s Warblers were seen as well as three Reed Buntings seen searching for food among the Willow trees. Checking New Lake, off Peckham's Copse Lane, the Cormorants were nesting again in the trees and bushes, while around the area, we had sightings of Chiffchaffs, Stock Doves, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a pair of Sparrowhawks, but again, no Hirundines.

Several photos of the super Bonaparte's Gull on East Trout Lake this morning.

The walk back was fairly quiet as we made our way back to East Trout Lake and a passing birder gave us the good news as we passed, saying the Bonaparte’s had returned. It did not take long to find the bird, but it was flying over the far side of the lake, although one could clearly see it was much different than the neighbouring Black-headed Gulls. This was my second of this species in West Sussex after a bird we saw quite a few years ago on Pagham Lagoon. This bird was starting to grow its dark hood feathers and probably in the next few weeks, it should be in full summer plumage. Eventually, the bird came a lot closer and sat on the water to preen (see video) till it flew off back down over the far side of the lake. Happy with adding this superb North American gull to our year list (162 species for the year), we made our way back to the car, but not before enjoying a brief view of a Kingfisher perching on the edge of the same lake.

Alder Flies were abundant along the footpath as the day got warmer.

One of the male Reed Buntings seen along the main footpath.

One of many male Blackcaps seen along the footpath.

Our next stop was to pay the North Wall at Pagham Harbour a visit, but not before visiting the Fish & Chip shop in Pagham Village. Andy suggested eating out lunch on one of the benches by Pagham Harbour, which wasn’t one of his smartest ideas. It was bloody freezing with that wind blowing in off a harbour at low tide! Stupidly, I decided to risk not taking my coat and paid the price by freezing my nuts off! Hey ho, but the food was delicious and I still had my flask of coffee to take the cold away (briefly!). 

One of many drake Teal on the Breach Pool. 

Above and below, Marsh Harriers over the reedbeds at the Breach Pool.

From the Breach Pool, I was surprised at how low the water level was there. This, I thought, would attract some waders and a fairly large flock of both winter and summer plumage Black-tailed Godwits duly obliged. Nothing else though! Around a dozen Teal were swimming on the water, but best of all was at least three female Marsh Harriers quartering the reedbeds behind the pool. They were most entertaining during our short stay there, but more raptors were on show with a nearby Kestrel hunting near White’s Creek, a female Sparrowhawk flying low over the fields and a distant Peregrine soaring over the Harbour, putting up a large flock of Curlew and the Gulls. 

Above and below, a couple of photos of the Black-tailed Godwits on the Breach Pool.

On the walk back to the car, we watched the Kestrel stoop down near the Sluice and after taking several photos, a close up of the bird revealed that it had caught a lizard. I was so pleased to simply get out of that wind as we made our way back to the car and headed home. Not a bad morning with a good species of Gull on our year list and even though we saw the Blashford RC Pochard earlier in the year, it was nice to get a decent view of this species. Apparently, a Kittiwake was discovered on Vinnetrow Lake, the lake just past New Lake! Never mind, I should pick up one on a sea watch soon.  

A Little Egret feeding in White's Creek.

A female Kestrel enjoying her lunch!