Shorebirds are thriving at Pagham’s nature reserve

Breeding shorebirds are thriving at the Local Nature Reserve in Pagham Harbour – latest figures show.

A number of tern species, black-headed and Mediterranean gulls all saw increases in nesting pairs and fledged chicks compared to last year. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which manages the site on behalf of West Sussex County Council, has also reported new notable moth species for the reserve, which has included the rare evergestis limbata, and a marbled beauty – only about 30 have ever been recorded in the UK.

Stephen Webster, RSPB site manager for Pagham Harbour and Medmerry Reserves, said: “The breeding bird successes at Pagham Harbour are a fantastic testament to the hard work and dedication by RSPB staff and volunteers.

“Year on year we are seeing individual species setting new reserve records, such as the numbers of breeding pairs of sandwich tern or the number of chicks raised by the little terns.

“Add to that the new species that keep appearing, whether they are bird species, moths or dragonflies it just goes to show what an internationally important area Pagham Harbour is.”

www.rspb.org.uk

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