Church Norton had a
Firecrest and a
Chiffchaff in the bushes near the car park, while I saw the wintering
Whimbrel for the first time this year from the benches. The tide was low, but waders included a
Knot, 85
Grey Plovers, nine
Ringed Plovers, 800
Lapwings, 47
Oystercatchers, 300
Dunlin and 13
Turnstones. Making my way along the spit, I viewed across the harbour mouth and thanks to over-the-phone directions from Nick and Gareth connected with the
Hooded Crow - a bird I thought I'd lucked out on this year. A
Sandwich Tern fishing offshore was a pleasant surprise, and other highlights included a pair of
Peregrines, five
Mediterranean Gulls, seven,
Little Grebes, 270
Dark-bellied Brent Geese, seven
Pintail, 150
Teal, 50
Wigeon, 56
Shelducks, two
Meadow Pipits, five
Skylarks, and singles of
Green Woodpecker,
Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Little Egret and
Reed Bunting. A
Sparrowhawk flew over the car as I drove out through Sidlesham.
|
Hooded Crow (left) with Carrion Crow |
|
Whimbrel |