Africa, Wittering and Sir Chris Bonington

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Monday I visited the eastern side of Pagham Harbour and enjoyed watching a Little Egret hunting below the dyke.  In the evening we enjoyed a brilliant presentation by Mike Mockler titled “Africa – 100 not out” at Arundel WWT monthly supporter’s meeting. 

Mike has led over 100 safari trips to Africa and is a superb photographer: 

www.mikemockler.co.uk

  On Tuesday morning we headed to West Wittering beach and viewed the thousands of Brent Geese by the car park. There were plenty of Ringed Plover, Dunlins, Lapwings, Turnstones, Redshanks and Oystercatchers and some Meadow Pipits.

  
In the evening we attended a presentation by Sir Chris Bonington at Worthing. It was titled “My life and Times” and was a fascinating account of his climbing career from his first climb on Snowdon to Everest, Annapurna and The Eiger and finally his second climb on the Old Man of Hoy last year aged 80. What an inspiration he is.

Pagham Harbour east:

Brent Geese, Branta bernicla

Curlews, Numenius arquata

Little Egret, Egretta garzetta

Little Egret

Redshank, Tringa totanus

Teal, Anas crecca

Wigeon, Anas penelope

Wigeon

Woodpigeon, Columba palumbus

West Wittering:

Littlehampton sunrise

Dunlin, Calidris alpina

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin and Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus

Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis

Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Redshank, Tringa totanus

Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula

Turnstone, Arenaria interpres

Turnstone