Goring Gap, Adur Estuary, Brooklands Park and Chantry Hill

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.

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.

adult Yellow-legged Gull at Brooklands Pleasure Park

Mallards at Brooklands Pleasure Park

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.

Chantry Hill, Clapham and East Preston

A stroll around Chantry Hill was brought to life by the energetic songs of Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. Red Kites and Buzzards soared overhead, as did at least seven noisy Ravens.

Corn Bunting at Chantry Hill

Driving around later, a Red Kite flew over Clapham and Goldcrest was in song at Haskins Roundstone.

Goring Gap, Sheepcote Valley and Chantry Hill

An hour at Goring Gap early morning produced eastbound Whimbrel and Curlew, a female Wheatear, 41 eastbound Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Sandwich Tern, 11 Linnets overhead, a Sparrowhawk, two Mediterranean Gulls, a 3CY Common Gull and five Great Crested Grebes. The beach held an unusually tight flock of 73 Turnstones, along with 32 Sanderlings, a Ringed Plover and two Dunlin.

Canada Geese on the sea off Goring Gap then launching themselves on to the beach

I dropped Ingrid off at work then took a route around the Sheepcote Valley, yielding a delightful but brief male Redstart but little else of note - just small numbers of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Linnets, and a sole male Stonechat. I also saw my first Speckled Wood of the year.

male Redstart in the Sheepcote Valley

A late afternoon visit to Chantry Hill with Gareth saw us cross paths with a spectacular Short-eared Owl. A few Yellowhammers were present and later we heard a Barn Owl and up to four Tawny Owls.

Short-eared Owl at Chantry Hill