Loder Valley Circular 28th September 2008

In perfect weather, 28 of us set off on the permissive path from Wakehurst Place to the Loder valley nature reserve proudly clutching our entry tickets to the reserve, which are limited to 50 persons a day.
The walk was lead by me as part of the program of the Mid Sussex Group of the Ramblers Association. Click on the links in green type for more information on The Ramblers and on any picture to expand it.
On the water in the reserve we saw cormorants, grebes, herons, mallards, and gulls but this time the kingfishers were illusive.

Lunch stop.

The leafy lanes of Sussex.

Approaching Wakehurst from the North.
It was a lovely day. Thanks to all who came. See you again soon!

Pagham Harbour circular walk, 9.7 miles, Sunday 14 September 2008.

The weather was perfect for bird watching as just five of us set off around Pagham harbour, the shingle spit, Selsey and back to the visitor centre. With five pairs of eyes and with Christine's much appreciated expert knowledge we spotted and identified 43 species of birds. Highlights included hundreds of ringed plovers on the beach where we enjoyed lunch in the sunshine; Terns diving for fish; and the raptors described below. Click on any picture to expand it.
Click here for the walk route map.

We visited the site of the Norman castle at Church Norton.

There was a short delay for traffic as a small fishing boat, laden with sacks of shellfish was winched up the beach and across the promenade.

Juvenile Herring gulls quarrelled for the best posts on the sea defences at Selsey.

Near Selsey lifeboat station was this flock of Turnstones, co-existing quite happily with the walkers along the promenade.

It was on this stretch from Selsey across flat farmland that we spotted a Marsh Harrier flying low over the fields, then three buzzards soaring high in the sky and shortly after a Kestrel, which was being relentlessly harassed by a crow. To see three different raptors on this afternoon was wonderful. This was a great walk thanks to the convivial and knowledgeable company and the eagle-eyed Sue who spotted the Marsh Harrier on a distant post.