Pagham harbour 9 miles circular walk

This walk was lead by me as part of the Mid Sussex Ramblers' programme.
Click the the link here for the Mid Sussex Ramblers' programme. 

Above is the view across the road at Pagham harbour nature reserve.

Here there were a dozen or so Shell ducks and what appear to be juvenille lapwings or peewits.

Thanks to Tony for sending me the above picture and others.
My enjoyment of real ales is starting to show.

It was low tide and the water's edge was far off.

Life is tough as an adolescent.
This black-headed gull has yet to develop a black head as it enters its first winter.
Can you imagine our delight when a kingfisher flew right
in front of us and perched on the metal work below?

Click on the above picture to see the Kingfisher.
It seemed strange to see one fishing in the sea!

This Hawkbit? was clinging to life in the shingle track.

Our picnic lunch break was taken on the beach in bright sunshine and temperature >20C
What a lovely climate!
Then we spotted a flock of birds that flew in to the next breakwater.
Take a closer look, below.

They seem to be juveniles, which in their adolescent plumage are not so easy to identify.

I thought that they were ringed plovers but are they, in fact turnstones?

What do you think?

Click here to see the RSPB page on turnstones.

Aren't these the most enchanting little birds?

They finally took flight when I got just a little to close.

The walk from Pagham to Selsey.

The view from Selsey towards Bognor and Brighton, which inspired Coates
to write was was to become the theme music for "Desert Island Discs".

Selsey fishing boats silhouetted in sunshine off Selsey beach.

There was even time for ice cream on this relaxed walk!

Mid Sussex Ramblers posing in front of some lobster pots.

Turnstones and a juvenile gull feasted on crab shells discarded by the fishermen.

These are such pretty little birds and you can get to within a few meters before they fly away.

Selsey life boat station.

After leaving Selsey, we headed off across flat farmland, which, having been recently resown was a bit lacking in bird life - apart from a kestrel. 

What better way to round off a good walk than with a pint or two at the

Sportsman pub overlooking the Amberley levels, with a threatening sky behind.
See also http://www.sussexrambler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/pagham-harbour-sidlesham-quay-to-selsey.html  for more birds from 2014.
My pictures of butterflies and other insects, orchids and other native flowers from the UK feature in illustrated talks.  Please see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk for information.  The same site lists my historical talks, including the "Influence of invasions on the English Language", "A history of the Adur valley and seven 1,000 year old churches",   "The American revolutionary war", "The exotic flowers, nuts spices and vegetables of St Lucia" and "A history of Cuckfield."