Little Terns at Pagham Harbour – A Spring Coastal Wildlife Encounter

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! Coastal locations are always full of surprises, and Pagham Harbour is one of those special places where patience and observation can lead to some incredible wildlife encounters. On 17th May 2026, I spent some time exploring the shoreline and was delighted to have the opportunity to photograph one of our most elegant seabirds — the Little Tern.

These beautiful birds are always a pleasure to watch as they move effortlessly over the water, hovering briefly before making their dramatic plunge dives to catch fish. Their speed, agility, and delicate appearance make them a real highlight of any spring visit to the coast. Watching their fishing behaviour up close gives a wonderful insight into the skill and precision needed to survive in this challenging environment.

Pagham Harbour provided the perfect backdrop for this encounter, with plenty of activity around the shoreline and a constant reminder of the importance of these coastal habitats for visiting and breeding birds. Capturing Little Terns in flight is always a rewarding challenge, requiring patience, timing, and quick reactions to freeze those brief moments of action.

Days like this are what make wildlife photography so special — the chance to spend time in beautiful locations, observe incredible behaviour, and capture a small moment of nature to share with others.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to explore my other wildlife adventures and photography from Pagham Harbour and beyond. Every visit brings new opportunities, and I look forward to sharing more moments from the field soon.