Little Terns Fishing at Pagham Harbour

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! Pagham Harbour is one of the UK's finest coastal nature reserves, offering fantastic opportunities to observe seabirds throughout the year. During my visit on 21st June 2026, I spent time with one of my favourite summer visitors—the Little Tern—as they hunted tirelessly over the water.

There's something truly captivating about watching Little Terns in action. These agile seabirds patrolled the shoreline with incredible purpose, hovering effortlessly above the water before folding their wings and plunging headfirst beneath the surface in pursuit of small fish. Every dive showcased their remarkable precision, and it was fascinating to watch them repeat the process time and time again with such skill and determination.

Photographing Little Terns in flight is never easy. Their rapid changes of direction, combined with their speed and unpredictable movements, make them one of the more challenging birds to keep in the frame. Capturing the exact moment they emerge from the water clutching a fish requires patience, fast reactions, and a little bit of luck. When everything comes together, however, the reward is an image that tells the story of their incredible hunting ability.

Although Little Terns are the UK's smallest breeding tern, they possess an energy and flying ability that never fails to impress. Spending time observing them going about their daily routine was a real privilege, and sessions like this are a reminder of why I enjoy wildlife photography so much. Every visit to Pagham Harbour offers something different, and this encounter with these remarkable birds was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the day.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, be sure to explore my other wildlife adventures and photography from Pagham Harbour and beyond. Every visit offers new encounters, new behaviours to observe, and another opportunity to capture the beauty of the natural world through my lens.