There is still life in the the Breech Pool even if it's only during periods of drought. The pool, at the back of the North Wall Pagham Harbour, could always be relied on to produce something worth viewing even when all other sites were birdless. However for the past couple of years (since the RSPB took over responsibility for the area?) no one seems interested in controlling the water levels in the pool. First it was allowed to dry out completely, then through last winter and the first part of this year water levels were far too high. Waders could not feed or roost, mud banks and reed beds were under water and birds like the Water Rail just disappeared from the area.
It is difficult to believe that the landowners and bodies like the RSPB and the Environmental Agency were happy to sit back and see such a wonderful site gradually deteriorate.
I still call in occasionally, just for old times sake. Today it was like a blast from the past. Water levels were down and birds were using the shallower parts of the pool to feed and roost. Not in the numbers seen previously but it's better than nothing. Reed Warblers could be seen climbing around in the base of the reeds and the place looked alive again, although no sign of the Water Rails.
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| Greenshank and Spotted Redshank |
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| Greenshank |
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| Spotted Redshank |
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| Black-tailed Godwit - one of twenty on the pool |
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| Colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit |
and a couple of other birds from recent trips out
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| Whitethroat |
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| Young Song Thrush feeding well |
Also a bonus from the visit to the North Wall, a Ruddy Shelduck out in the harbour although too far away for a picture.
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