Tuesday 20th September 2022.
Andy and myself were going to shoot off over to Longham Lakes, near Ferndown, Dorset for the White-winged Black Tern that was present, allegedly, a few days ago; but as there was no news on Birdguides, I really didn't fancy taking that risk in getting there and wasting our time and petrol and so, knowing there was a Wryneck at Church Norton, we went for this bird instead (phew, that was a long sentence!).
Wryneck's are notoriously either so difficult to get a good view of or simply right out in the open. I'm afraid it was the former situation for both Andy and myself this late morning / afternoon and so very frustrating it was too; but at least we saw it (my 212th species of the year). We joined a couple of other birders waiting patiently on the beach just past the first Severals and waited for about 30 minutes. Nothing doing. So I had a chat with one of the guys present and he told me that it landed in the vicinity where they stood, but not been seen for nearly TWO HOURS! Sorry, I wasn't prepared to wait a long time and with their permission, I took a slow stroll near where the bird was seen last.
Thankfully, the bird flew up and over a small footpath and out of view again. Year-ticked!! The other guys joined me and within ten minutes, one chap with a scope saw it land in a bramble nearby on the beach. He let me look through his scope and sure enough, there was the Wryneck in all its glory, sporting its cryptic plumage pattern. The bird then simply vanished into the bush. Despite a lengthy wait, it would not come out and we were all sure it had flown out undetected. But when I got right up to the bush, it popped but flew off again west. This was repeated several times, but would not stop long enough for everyone to get a good view.
Finally, it landed in a small Oak Tree and again, we waited patiently. One chap with a camera walked further east to see if he could get a better view. He then gave the shout the bird was showing from where he stood and joining him, the bird flew back into cover. He showed us the lovely image of the bird he snapped with his camera and then went off as a happy man; leaving behind some very frustrated birders. After another 20 minutes had elapsed, we gave up and made our way back to the car.
Thankfully, we also saw quite a few interesting birds and insects for my ‘nozzles’ that included flocks of passing Swallows and House Martins flying low over the beach and giving close views as well. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew overhead as did at least 3 Grey Wagtails. A small flock of Long-tailed Tits contained a few Willowchiffs among them, flitting through the brambles and Suada at the back of the Severals area. A female Sparrowhawk was seen high in the distance, flying over the fields and a Tawny Owl ‘hooted’ several times somewhere in trees to the north. A Wheatear flew out of the small Copse by the second Severals reedbed and at least 4 Stonechats were in the area. There were also several sightings of Clouded Yellow butterflies flying over the beach and brambles along with many Small Whites and the odd Red Admiral. Both Migrant Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies were literally everywhere, another good food supply for passing migrants. So, though I never sadly got any photos of the Wryneck, it was still a pleasantly warm and interesting afternoon here at Church Norton.
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It was low tide within Pagham Harbour and the only birds of note we saw were a few Redshank, a lone Curlew and at least 3 Little Egrets. Some nice chap came over and had a chat and told me that he had walked from Sidlesham to get here, taking the harbour path on the west side, seeing some nice birds and animals on the way and also chatting about his late wife who passed away two years ago, which tinged the conversation with a bit of sadness. Nice fella.
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