RSPB Pagham Harbour & Medmerry
South East
Sidlesham

Pagham Harbour & Medmerry are two glorious and peaceful nature reserves, combining as one of the few undeveloped stretches of the Sussex coast.

Our reserves are a great place to get away from it all, exploring miles of footpaths whilst enjoying a wealth of wildlife, beautiful landscapes and a rich historical heritage. The sheltered inlet at the heart of Pagham Harbour, fills and empties with each tide as ducks, geese and wading birds fly to and fro. Residents include little egrets and lapwings, joined in spring by many passing migrant birds. Little terns breed in the summer, butterflies flit along hedgerows, dragonflies patrol the ponds and lizards bask in the sun. In winter it is a haven for winter wildfowl and internationally recognised for pintail and large flocks of brent geese.Meanwhile Medmerry is the result of one of Europe's largest managed realignment schemes, boasting big open landscapes under dramatic skies. Avocets breed in spring, along with corn buntings and yellowhammers. In winter short-eared owls hunt low over the banks and merlin chase flocks of finches.Both reserves are linked by a cycleway and you can cycle all the way around Medmerry.