Seasons in the Reserves

Summer wild flowers with the sea water snaking into the reserve

RSPB Medmerry in Summer, courtesy of CoastalJJ

Clouds alight with the orange sun at suset over RSPB Medmerry Beach

RSPB Medmerry Beach at Sunset, courtesy of CoastalJJ

Majestic line of trees slowly being poisoned with salt as the sea water breaches the meadows at RSPB Medmerry. Standing amongst a sky of deep blues, oranges, yellows and purple on a winters morning.

RSPB Medmerry trees and Sky on a Crisp Winter Morning, courtesy of CoastalJJ

Winter scene of a bench, mudglats and massive skies at Pagham Harbour towards the Crab & Lobster at Sidlesham

Pagham Harbour Towards Sidlesham, courtesy of CoastalJJ

The sun rises over Pagham Harbour as the clouds radiate the light

Pagham Harbour Sunrise, courtesy of CoastalJJ

Pebble the dog takes a walk along the pathway between the vegetation from East Beach to Church Norton

Pathway from Selsey East Beach to Church Norton, courtesy of CoastalJJ

Situated on the coast, nestled either side of Selsey Town, are the two beautiful nature reserves of RSPB Pagham Harbour and RSPB Medmerry. Between them they provide a haven for wildlife and a chance to get away from the stresses of modern life.

These two wonderful reserves are connected by footpaths and a cycleway. Together they provide miles of easy walking in beautiful and varied countryside, offering fantastic opportunities to get close to nature and take that perfect photograph.

Spring in the Reserves

Spring sees hedgerows burst into life and flowers splash their colour.

Catkins swing in the breeze, colourful butterflies flit along pathways and the air hums with the sound of busy bees.

The skylark’s liquid song cascades down from high and an array of warblers announce their arrival accompanied by the cuckoos celebrated call.

A pair of turnstone birds amongst seaweed on the sand with the shallow seas in the background

Summer in the Reserves

Lizards bask in warm summer sunshine; dragonflies patrol their ponds with a clash of silver wings and grasshoppers chirrup amongst the grass and meadows.

Swallows swoop low over the fields while out in the harbour dainty terns and other seabirds are busily feeding and raising families.

Grasses standing upright illuminated by the orange low sun.

Autumn in the Nature Reserves

Osprey stop off on their autumn migration south, swooping down, talons outstretched, they dive into the water with a splash, emerging with a large fish.

Fungi of all shapes, size and colours emerge among the trees as the leaves turn gold, rust and crimson before falling to join the acorns littering the ground.

Birds flying over the lagoons in RSPB Medmerry

Winter

Great flocks of wildfowl and waders arrive to spend winter in the relative shelter of the reserves.

Honks, quacks, whistles and squeals of brent geese, wigeon and a myriad of other ducks drift across the saltmarsh and the curlews hauntingly melancholy call sends a tingle down the spine.