I was joined by Ralph Simpson at the Gap this morning. Movement was limited but included a nice flock of four Eider (one adult drake), 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Common Scoters, five Sandwich Terns, a Curlew, 31 Meadow Pipits, four Pied/White Wagtails and two Gannets. 27 Red-breasted Mergansers and five Great Crested Grebes were on the sea, while the beach held a Redshank, three Oystercatchers, a Grey Plover, 40 Sanderlings, 28 Turnstones, four Dunlin and a Little Egret. Seven Mediterranean Gulls and three Common Gulls were logged. Other birds included a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker and a singing Skylark.
A walk up Ferring Rife and back down again produced two Water Rails, three Chiffchaffs, the singing male Reed Bunting, two of both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Pheasant, two Mallards and 22 Moorhens. Five Skylarks were counted and a singing Coal Tit was notable for the site. An additional nine Dunlin were on the adjacent beach. I also logged 58 Meadow Pipits, a singing Song Thrush and a pair of Long-tailed Tits.
As I got through the door at home in West Worthing, a Meadow Pipit flew over the garden. Later, after dark, poking my head out revealed a steady stream of Redwings calling overhead.
