tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11013203425044300382024-02-02T16:28:33.235+00:00David Campbell's logbookbirding in Sussex, the south east and further afieldDavid Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comBlogger1458125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-20932293595875546532021-03-12T16:40:00.012+00:002022-07-23T22:35:47.908+01:00Where to find me now<p>Check out our guiding business: <b><a href="http://www.southdownswildlife.com" target="_blank">South Downs Wildlife</a></b>. </p><p>I may also post more casual stuff from time to time <a href="http://devilbirder.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>. <br /></p><p>Thanks for visiting! </p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-80141338340029147722021-01-17T20:32:00.004+00:002021-01-18T16:14:23.615+00:00Worthing<p> Another <b>Blackcap</b> caught in the garden today.</p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="378" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/298691571/embed/640" style="width: 640px;" width="640"></iframe>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-72463384012835812812021-01-15T22:10:00.005+00:002021-01-15T22:10:45.596+00:00Worthing<p> A look around Heene Cemetery produced three <b>Redwings</b>. A <b>Peregrine</b> flew over my garden in the morning, where towards dusk I caught a male <b>Blackcap</b>.<br /></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-28964169767418792492021-01-14T22:14:00.004+00:002021-01-15T22:15:29.661+00:00Worthing<p> Two <b>Dark-bellied Brent Geese</b> flew past Marine Gardens, where three <b>Turnstones</b> were on the beach.<br /></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-72104355616570168922021-01-12T22:12:00.006+00:002021-01-15T22:14:47.648+00:00Worthing<p> The male <b>Blackcap</b> was again in Marine Gardens. Offshore were 25 <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, 11 <b>Great Crested Grebes</b>, 76 <b>Dunlin</b>, two <b>Kittiwakes</b>, a <b>Mediterranean Gull</b>, four <b>Red-throated Divers</b> and 24 <b>Gannets</b>. Later a young <b>Sparrowhawk</b> was trying to get at my quails in the garden.<br /></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-2718444131480119212021-01-11T21:22:00.003+00:002021-01-11T21:22:53.342+00:00Worthing<p> Walking through Marine Gardens produced three <b>Redwings</b>, <b>Sparrowhawk</b>, a <b>Grey Wagtail</b>, two <b>Goldcrests </b>and a <b>Coal Tit</b>. I then seawatched from the shelter, seeing two <b>Common Scoters</b>, six <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, five <b>Great Crested Grebes</b>, a <b>Ringed Plover</b>, 18 <b>Razorbills</b>, 326 distant <b>auks</b>, eight <b>Kittiwakes</b>, three <b>Mediterranean Gulls</b>, eight <b>Red-throated Divers </b>and 73 <b>Gannets</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-32650796190523264932021-01-10T22:04:00.003+00:002021-01-10T22:04:13.426+00:00Worthing<p>The beach at Marine Gardens produced a <b>Mute Swan</b>, two <b>Mallards</b>, a <b>Dark-bellied Brent Goose</b>, four <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, three <b>Great Crested Grebes</b>, nine <b>Oystercatchers</b>, a <b>Sanderling</b>, three <b>Ringed Plovers </b>and two <b>Red-throated Divers</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-36612739778080189492021-01-09T22:44:00.006+00:002021-01-09T22:44:43.405+00:00Worthing<p>Three <b>Shelducks</b>, 11 <b>Wigeon</b>, 19 <b>Dark-bellied Brent Geese</b>, two <b>Red-throated Divers</b>, nine <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, three <b>Gannets</b>, three <b>Great Crested Grebes</b>, two <b>Mediterranean Gulls</b>, four <b>Sanderling</b>, a <b>Ringed Plover</b>, six <b>Oystercatchers</b> and 255 <b>auk sp</b> from Marine Gardens in a couple of short watches from Marine Gardens today.<br /></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-25870702035920771762021-01-06T20:39:00.005+00:002021-01-06T20:39:57.560+00:00Worthing<p>A walk around Marine Gardens produced a male <b>Blackcap</b> and a <b>Grey Wagtail</b>. I then looked at the sea from the adjacent beach, logging 31 <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, four <b>Great Crested Grebes</b>, a <b>Sanderling</b>, a <b>Ringed Plover</b>, an <b>Oystercatcher</b>, 10 <b>auk sp</b>, a <b>Red-throated Diver</b> and 12 <b>Cormorants</b>.<br /></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-57653424028092722172021-01-05T22:30:00.001+00:002021-01-05T22:30:06.739+00:00Worthing<p>A seawatch from the end of Grand Avenue for just over an hour produced five <b>Red-throated Divers</b>, a <b>Common Scoter</b>, a <b>Mute Swan</b>, 16 <b>Razorbills</b>, 280 <b>auk sp</b>, 30 <b>Kittiwakes</b>, 60 <b>Gannets</b>, two <b>Mediterranean Gulls</b>, 17 <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, 10 <b>Great Crested Grebes </b>and five <b>Oystercatchers</b>. </p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-37947658287201244792021-01-04T22:40:00.000+00:002021-01-04T22:40:26.589+00:00Goring Gap<p>During a quick visit l<span>ate afternoon, there were three <b>Mediterranean Gulls</b>, two <b>Redshanks</b>, 43 <b>Grey Plovers</b>, 110+ <b>Dunlin</b>, three <b>Ringed Plovers</b>, five <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b>, a <b>Great Crested Grebe</b>, a <b>Sparrowhawk</b> and two <b>Stonechats</b></span><i><span></span>.</i></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-9939823326398372902021-01-01T10:04:00.001+00:002021-01-03T10:39:32.384+00:00Worthing, Brooklands Park, Adur Estuary, Shoreham Harbour and Burpham<p>I started the New Year with a half-hour watch from the garden. A <b>Buzzard</b> flying east just a few minutes after sunrise was most unexpected and a male <b>Great Spotted Woodpecker</b> appeared in a neighbouring garden.</p>
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<div><br /></div><div>After dithering for a while about where to go birding, I opted for Brooklands Park, which turned out to be a pretty good decision. A male <b>Kingfisher </b>was offering superb views along the stream and was proving popular with birders and members of the general public. A <b>Cetti's Warbler</b> called there, too. Crucially, the drake <b>Pochard </b>remained on the lake, along with eight <b>Teal </b>and two <b>Little Grebes</b>. Two pairs of <b>Mute Swans</b> were on the lake, along with a lone adult male and three of last year's young, so there's bound to be some conflict over the next few weeks. A female <b>Stonechat </b>was feeding near the boardwalk.
Looking offshore was where it got interesting. It was hardly bustling with birds but after the sea being so dead for so long, it was refreshing to actually see some birds out there. A feeding <b>Great Northern Diver</b> made my day, while four <b>Shovelers</b>, 11 <b>Wigeon</b>, 13 <b>Red-throated Divers</b>, 30 <b>Gannets </b>and 10 <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b> were also seen. 20 <b>Dunlin </b>flew along the beach.</div><div><br /></div><div>
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</div><div><br /></div><div>The flowing tide at the Adur Estuary RSPB reserve produced the wintering <b>Greenshank </b>and <b>Curlew</b>, along with a good many <b>Snipe</b>, <b>Redshank </b>and <b>Lapwing</b>. 20 <b>Oystercatchers</b>, a <b>Reed Bunting</b> and a <b>Grey Heron</b> were also present.
Nipping around to the Shoreham Sailing Club was rewarded with close views of the wintering <b>Black Redstart</b>, while round on the wooden jetty by the fort were two <b>Purple Sandpipers</b>, with four <b>Turnstones </b>on the harbour arms.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="516" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/293245051/embed/640" style="width: 640px;" width="640"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="516" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/293244161/embed/640" style="width: 640px;" width="640"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>A late plod around Burpham and The Burgh then produced the 10 adult <b>Bewick's Swans</b>, two astronomically distant <b>Cattle Egrets</b>, a <b>Marsh Harrier</b>, a <b>Barn Owl</b>, a <b>Tawny Owl</b>, three <b>Red Kites</b>, a few <b>Buzzards</b>, 10 <b>Grey Partridges</b>, three <b>Red-legged Partridges</b>, a <b>Raven</b> and a <b>Fieldfare</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="516" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/293243601/embed/640" style="width: 640px;" width="640"></iframe></div>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-74913066653798840502020-12-31T21:07:00.003+00:002020-12-31T21:07:47.661+00:00Worthing<p> Just a walk along the beach today to sign the year off, but it was a gorgeous morning. Seven <b>Dark-bellied Brent Geese</b> flying west and three <b>Red-breasted Mergansers</b> on the sea were the avian highlights. At home a <b>Great Spotted Woodpecker</b> was calling from across the road and I retrapped a <b>Wren</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-70762108410762980872020-12-30T21:01:00.021+00:002020-12-31T21:17:25.868+00:00Lyminster, Goring Gap and Worthing<div style="text-align: left;">Typically last-minute for me, I completed my first of the season's two Sussex Winter Bird Survey visits to my square at Broomhurst Farm, Lyminster. The <b>Lapwing</b> flock wasn't as big as normal but still numbered 75 birds, while a <b>Water Rail</b>, two <b>Cetti's Warblers</b>, three <b>Little Egrets</b>, four <b>Red Kites</b>, two <b>Stonechats</b>, six <b>Reed Buntings</b>, a <b>Treecreeper </b>and a <b>Mistle Thrush</b> were among some of the other birds noted.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A quick stop at Goring Gap at lunchtime was disappointing for gulls again, with just two adult <b>Mediterranean Gulls</b> for me, along with a small handful of roosting <b>Ringed Plover</b> and <b>Dunlin</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The most memorable moment of the day by far came when I got home to find a <b>Song Thrush</b> in the house. After quickly fitting it with a ring, it went on its way quite happily.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="516" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/292437441/embed/640" style="width: 640px;" width="640"></iframe>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-29961493936733470012020-12-26T22:41:00.001+00:002020-12-26T22:41:17.910+00:00Goring Gap<p> Just a quick stop at lunchtime, when a <b>Dark-bellied Brent Goose</b> flew into the roost field. Among the gulls were two adult <b>Mediterranean Gulls</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-22351454389180155212020-12-25T22:39:00.001+00:002020-12-26T22:42:30.894+00:00Goring Gap, Widewater Lagoon, Brooklands Park and Patching<p> There was little going on at Goring Gap other than four <b>Dark-bellied Brent Geese</b> and an adult <b>Lesser Black-backed Gull</b>, plus three <b>Great Crested Grebes</b> offshore. Moved on to Widewater, where c110 <b>Dunlin</b> were roosting on the beach along with 30 or so <b>Ringed Plovers</b>. A <b>Kingfisher</b> made a brief appearance over the lagoon and a <b>Sparrowhawk</b> flew through the adjacent gardens. Five <b>Little Grebes</b> and four <b>Mute Swans</b> were present. Next up was Brooklands Park, where the highlight of the day came in the form of a <b>Lapwing</b> overhead, being harassed by two <b>Peregrines</b>. Three <b>Chiffchaffs</b> were heard calling and the <b>Pochard</b> was on the lake, along with a <b>Little Grebe</b>. The new pair of <b>Mute Swans</b> was still present but there was no immediate sign of the resident adult female and only two of her offspring seemed to remain. Checking in at Patching sewage works finally, there were three <b>Chiffchaffs</b> and a <b>Grey Wagtail </b>around the filter beds, and a <b>Red Kite</b> flew over. Five <b>Redwings</b> flew from the trees. A final check of Goring Gap revealed an increase to five <b>Dark-bellied Brent Geese</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-70782516994476428412020-12-22T22:52:00.002+00:002020-12-22T22:52:18.586+00:00The Downs and Ferring Rife<p>I started the day walking the downs in the Lychpole Farm/Beggars Bush area. This produced a <b>Chiffchaff</b>, a <b>Reed Bunting</b>, seven <b>Yellowhammers</b>, four <b>Meadow Pipits</b>, 10 <b>Fieldfares</b>, 20 <b>Redwings</b>, 15 <b>Skylarks</b>, a <b>Sparrowhawk</b> and a <b>Buzzard</b>.</p><p>At lunchtime I headed over to Ferring Rife, finding a <b>Water Rail </b>and two <b>Reed Buntings</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-12350981980012397002020-12-18T22:08:00.010+00:002020-12-21T22:11:01.292+00:00Brooklands Park<p>Another visit today - with Ingrid - was primarily a dog-training exercise but I did note the drake <b>Pochard</b>, two <b>Little Grebes</b>, four <b>Teal </b>and a <b>Cetti's Warbler</b>. Two <b>Stock Doves</b> were remarkably approachable. The female <b>Mute Swan</b> had only three immatures in tow but a new adult pair was at the other end of the lake...</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-88870170771849412702020-12-17T21:12:00.003+00:002020-12-17T21:12:32.072+00:00Brooklands Park<p>It was a beautiful morning and I met up with Gareth for a walk around the park. The drake <b>Pochard</b> was again showing on the lake, along with a <b>Little Grebe</b>, five <b>Teal </b>and the family of <b>Mute Swans</b>. Along the stream was a <b>Kingfisher</b>, while other birds included a <b>Cetti's Warbler</b>, a <b>Chiffchaff</b>, a <b>Redwing </b>and a <b>Meadow Pipit</b>.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-16308558962131619002020-12-15T18:41:00.001+00:002020-12-15T18:41:44.273+00:00Goring Gap<p>Just a quick trip at midday, with a pair of <b>Stonechats</b>, a <b>Great Crested Grebe</b>, three <b>Gannets</b>, five <b>Ringed Plovers</b>, a <b>Dunlin</b>, three <b>Turnstones</b> and c40 <b>Common Gulls</b> to show for it.</p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-28910584614868287062020-12-14T18:37:00.011+00:002020-12-15T18:42:40.510+00:00Sidlesham<p>I took Beni the Samoyed for her first proper birding trip, to Sidlesham on the edge of Pagham Harbour, where I've been dying to twitch the <b>Richard's Pipit</b> there for days. Said bird was eventually found when Ed turned up, and offered good scope views, while a short walk further along the lane bagged us the <b>Glossy Ibis</b> in flight with at least 30 <b>Cattle Egrets</b>. 10 or so <b>Yellowhammers</b>, 20 <b>Meadow Pipits</b> and a <b>Reed Bunting</b> were around. Also three <b>Stonechats</b>, a <b>Chiffchaff</b> and some distant <b>Curlew</b> heard.</p>
<iframe width="640" height="380" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/288064001/embed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-17932593040148870372020-12-12T21:57:00.000+00:002020-12-12T21:57:04.667+00:00Worthing<p> An adult male <b>Goldfinch</b> was a nice catch in the garden, where a <b>Pied Wagtail</b> flew over and a/the <b>Song Thrush</b> was around.</p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="516" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/287485401/embed/640" style="width: 640px;" width="640"></iframe>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-30233197801379592072020-12-11T21:39:00.004+00:002020-12-11T21:41:03.982+00:00Worthing<p>Once again the <b>Grey Wagtail</b> was back on the edge of the koi pond and a <b>Chaffinch</b> flew over. Yesterday two <b>Great Black-backed Gulls</b> - surprisingly notable just three streets back from the beach - flew over, and a <b>Song Thrush</b> was also notable for here.<br /></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-66566058344165601092020-12-09T21:36:00.006+00:002020-12-11T21:38:13.188+00:00Worthing<p>The net produced two <b>Robins</b>: a new bird and a retrap. The <b>Grey Wagtail</b> returned and a <b>Redwing</b> flew over.</p><p><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/287101901/embed" width="640"></iframe></p>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101320342504430038.post-10024880142008279692020-12-08T21:36:00.001+00:002020-12-11T21:36:41.322+00:00Worthing<p> I trapped and ringed a <b>Goldcrest</b> in the garden, and the <b>Grey Wagtail</b> again teased with visits to the pond, avoiding the net. After dark I heard a <b>Redwing</b>.<br /></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/287101951/embed" width="640"></iframe>David Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936919745022906765noreply@blogger.com