Sandwich Terns at Pagham Harbour – Coastal Hunters in Action

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! Pagham Harbour is one of the most rewarding coastal locations in West Sussex for observing and photographing a wide variety of birdlife. On 16th May 2026, I spent some time exploring the shoreline, where I was lucky enough to photograph one of our most elegant seabirds — the Little Tern.

These small but impressive birds are fascinating to watch as they hover effortlessly above the water, carefully searching for their next meal before diving with incredible accuracy to catch fish. Their speed, agility, and ability to change direction in an instant make them a challenging subject to photograph, but capturing these moments of natural behaviour makes the effort worthwhile.

Pagham Harbour provided the perfect backdrop for this encounter, with plenty of activity along the shoreline and the Little Terns constantly moving between hunting and resting. Watching them go about their daily lives was a reminder of how much character and energy these small coastal birds possess.

Wildlife photography is often about patience, timing, and being present when those special moments happen. Spending time with a species as beautiful and energetic as the Little Tern is always a privilege, and these encounters are what make every visit to our coastal reserves so rewarding.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to explore my other wildlife adventures and photography from Pagham Harbour and beyond. Every visit brings new opportunities to discover and capture the incredible wildlife that surrounds us.