The first
Willow Warbler of the autumn called at the seaward end of the Plantation, where the
Treecreeper also announced itself. A (the?) juvenile
Yellow-legged Gull lingered offshore. Two
Dunlin and a pair of
Common Scoter flew east, while 64
Gannets also flew past. Five
Mediterranean Gulls and six
Little Egrets were seen, and 120
Woodpigeons flocked in the fields. A short walk produced three
Whitethroats and a
Blackcap.
A scan of the Adur Estuary from the toll bridge revealed two
Avocets - an adult and a juvenile - along with an
Oystercatcher, two
Little Egrets, a 3cy
Mediterranean Gull, a
House Martin and a
Kestrel. Juvenile
Herring and
Black-headed Gulls were present.
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| Avocets (juvenile left) on the Adur Estuary |
Late afternoon I called in to Brooklands Park. An adult
Yellow-legged Gull was the main feature - I was looking for juveniles but a local adult is a far rarer treat so I spent a fair while enjoying this mighty bird. Also present were a
Little Grebe, a
Little Egret, a 3cy
Mediterranean Gull, three adult
Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a
Tufted Duck, a
House Martin, two
Swifts, a couple of
Goldcrests and three fledged
Herring Gulls. A female
Mallard had a brood of nine young ducklings and a
Coot pair had three youngsters. Four young
Mute Swans with a lone adult are now full juveniles.
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| adult Yellow-legged Gull at Brooklands Pleasure Park |
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| Mallards at Brooklands Pleasure Park |
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| Mute Swans at Brooklands Pleasure Park |
An evening visit to Chantry Hill produced a couple of
Tawny Owls, one of which was showing nicely on posts, as well as a heard
Barn Owl, singing
Corn Bunting and a
Lapwing.
