RSPB Medmerry is situated on the South West side of Selsey, West of the Pagham Harbour site. Whereas Pagham Harbour has an RSBP office and facilities and a large carpark, Medmerry is solely a small car park with a 2.1m height restriction, with parking for about 6 vehicles.
Thankfully there was a single spot left when I arrived, and the height restriction was a ‘generous’ 2.1m which the little car limboed under without a problem.
Loaded up with the Nikon z9, the 800mm F5.6 F-mount lens and a monopod, I set off.
Two minutes from the car this little chap cross my path marking my arrival - I am unsure on its identity:
It is a good walk down to the seafront, which took me past this bunch of inquisitive folks. I did not like to say to him that I am quite sure he will make a very good steak one day in his future.
They had this funny wicker house near the beach - which either reminded of of a Mr Whippy ice cream, or, erm something else less desirable.
While near the coast, there are also a series of (man made?) pools which were attracting a variety of birds, starlings, lapwings, a moor hen and of course the obligatory gulls:
As I approached the beach a cormorant flew past, evidently late for breakfast.
The beach front itself was fairly quiet, with gulls playing in the waves.
A washed up boat with a Gardner engine must have had a good tale to tell.
Walking along the beach (which turned out to be a prohibited area - pity there were no signs to indicate this on the West side), my first sighting of something exciting - a Curlew?
Clearly one for posing for the camera, he took to the wing to demonstrate his flying skills.
Meanwhile high overhead, someone was getting some air to air pictures of a different flying legend - the Spitfire. The area I was in was an ex-bombing test area, so it was a little nostalgic seeing the Spitfire flying round at various heights.
The first of many Egrets skimmed across the beach. Funny to think that these used to be a rare bird on our shores.
A pair of Oyster catchers were catching some sun near the water’s edge.
Across the water in a haze lies Portsmouth - it would be a good swim from here.
More aerial action from the Egrets, Oyster Catchers and a squadron of Cormorants.
Breakfast appears to be being served in a natural pool further up the beach within the restricted area which I had accidentally wandered into.
The RSBP asks you not to cross the river on the beach - the issue I had was that at low tide there was no river, I had inadvertently crossed the entire beach to the other side, oops!
The sea gulls had been here before me.
Jumping over the fence to back to the legal path had me walking along side a bush, containing a number of Stonechats - not a bird I have knowingly seen before. They seemed very friendly and followed me along the path for quite some distance. Perhaps they were just making sure I was really leaving the area?
The camera missed focus on the Stonechat, and to my surprise found a Redshank behind in the waters edge - another bird I have not knowingly seen before! Hopefully I have correctly identified it - it was more distant that the photos might have you believe.
Snapping the Stonechats was interrupted by a microlight heading out to sea, presumably the Isle of Wight.
Some murky looking (fresh?) water pools contains a number of ducks - I am not sure what this one was?
By this point, the legs were getting pretty tired, carrying the kit that I was. There was a long walk back to the car without a great deal to see - I am glad that I did not go this way to start with as I might not have walked to the other side when passing the car.
My second trip to Selsey this year - and the second time I experienced a wardrobe failure with the shoes. That’ll teach me to wear 30+ year old boots I guess. I am not even sure where I lost the first sole, presumably on the beach. I only noticed when I was slipping up some rocks that it was missing!
