Sunday 2 February 2020

Goring Gap and Devil's Dyke

My session at Goring Gap this morning saw hints of spring, with my first local Fulmar of the year going west and a movement of about 135 Dark-bellied Brent Geese (all but four heading east) and a flock of four Pintail west. A Grey Wagtail flew west over the beach and a Red-throated Diver travelled east offshore, along with a Red-breasted Merganser. Waders on the beach included c110 Sanderlings, at least 60 Dunlin, three Grey Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, 49 Turnstones and four Oystercatchers, while there was also a lone adult Mediterranean Gull.

Pintail flock off Goring Gap

Sanderlings along the beach at Goring Gap

Ingrid and I later went for a walk at Devil's Dyke, with a Sparrowhawk, three Treecreepers and 26 Redwings among the birds logged.