A
Great Northern Diver on the sea was the clear highlight offshore. The sea also produced four
Teal, three
Red-throated Divers, six
Gannets, and an influx of 28
Great Crested Grebes, these perhaps pushed off inland water bodies by the ice. Also clearly affected by the conditions were
Lapwings,
with 30 birds seen during the day, all but one of which were seen to
arrive directly off the sea, no doubt escaping inhospitable feeding
grounds on the continent. A
Curlew moving purposefully and distantly east might have had similiar story.
The weather had a noticeable effect on passerines, resulting in an arrival at the Gap involving two
Chiffchaffs, 20
Meadow Pipits, 16
Fieldfares, eight
Redwings and a new female
Stonechat (the wintering male was also present). Some of the nine
Skylarks noted were probably also fresh in. Other sightings included two adult
Mediterranean Gulls and 32
Grey Plovers.
Highlights at Ferring Rife included a
Kingfisher. a
Water Rail and a
Redwing, along with the wintering
Buzzard and male
Stonechat.
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| Chiffchaff at Goring Gap |
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| Skylark at Goring Gap |
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| new female Stonechat at Goring Gap |
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| Lapwings over Goring Gap |
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| Lapwings over Goring Gap |
