RICHARD WILLIAMSON Nature Trails...March 3

They had inside info. This time they were on manoeuvres along the Pagham Harbour seawall, subject of this week’s walk.

What were they watching this time, these Birders Britannicas?

They all had secret, weather-beaten looks, all paired-off in their pensioners’ outdoor uniform of sensible greens and browns, woolly hats and snug boots.

Seventy years ago you would have seen them on St Paul’s on incendiary watch, or doling gruel in soup kitchens. They had that never-beaten look, a day off from Neighbourhood Watch and parish council meetings.

They are so determined, like Cairo democracy activists but twice the age. They put me to shame. I am nothing but a wanderer, hoping to come across something nice. The telescope army have the agenda.

One couple I found staring out to sea from that vast Church Norton shingle bank. Both their telescopes were trained on something miles away. I crouched near them on the stones, pretending I had seen what fascinated them as well.