Goring Gap

During a quick visit late afternoon, there were three Mediterranean Gulls, two Redshanks, 43 Grey Plovers, 110+ Dunlin, three Ringed Plovers, five Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Crested Grebe, a Sparrowhawk and two Stonechats.

Lyminster, Goring Gap and Worthing

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 Lapwing flock wasn't as big as normal but still numbered 75 birds, while a Water Rail, two Cetti's Warblers, three Little Egrets, four Red Kites, two Stonechats, six Reed Buntings, a Treecreeper and a Mistle Thrush were among some of the other birds noted.

A quick stop at Goring Gap at lunchtime was disappointing for gulls again, with just two adult Mediterranean Gulls for me, along with a small handful of roosting Ringed Plover and Dunlin.

The most memorable moment of the day by far came when I got home to find a Song Thrush in the house. After quickly fitting it with a ring, it went on its way quite happily.

Goring Gap

 Just a quick stop at lunchtime, when a Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew into the roost field. Among the gulls were two adult Mediterranean Gulls.

Goring Gap, Widewater Lagoon, Brooklands Park and Patching

 There was little going on at Goring Gap other than four Dark-bellied Brent Geese and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, plus three Great Crested Grebes offshore. Moved on to Widewater, where c110 Dunlin were roosting on the beach along with 30 or so Ringed Plovers. A Kingfisher made a brief appearance over the lagoon and a Sparrowhawk flew through the adjacent gardens. Five Little Grebes and four Mute Swans were present.  Next up was Brooklands Park, where the highlight of the day came in the form of a Lapwing overhead, being harassed by two Peregrines. Three Chiffchaffs were heard calling and the Pochard was on the lake, along with a Little Grebe. The new pair of Mute Swans 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 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail around the filter beds, and a Red Kite flew over. Five Redwings flew from the trees. A final check of Goring Gap revealed an increase to five Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Goring Gap

Just a quick trip at midday, with a pair of Stonechats, a Great Crested Grebe, three Gannets, five Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, three Turnstones and c40 Common Gulls to show for it.

Bramber Brooks, Shoreham and Goring Gap

A later start today took me to the River Adur alongside Bramber Brooks, where I caught up with the juvenile Goosander which has been in the area, though it was very skittish and I only saw it in flight. There was also a Kingfisher, two Fieldfares, a Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Bunting.

The next stop was Shoreham Fort, where an adult Purple Sandpiper was on the jetty with 12 Turnstones. What was presumably the same female-type Black Redstart which was reported yesterday put in a brief appearance along the fenceline and a Rock Pipit was feeding.

Stopping at Goring Gap produced nine Mediterranean Gulls and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the roost field, though there were only three Turnstones.

Shoreham Harbour, Adur Estuary, Goring Gap and Worthing

Two Purple Sandpipers and 17 Turnstones were on view from Shoreham Fort just after high tide this morning. I then moved on to the Adur Estuary, where a Greenshank, nine Snipe, two Grey Plovers, 15 Teal, 25 Redshanks, a Little Egret, four Grey Herons and two Mute Swans were on the RSPB reserve. A couple of Mediterranean Gulls were the highlight of a brief subsequent visit to Goring Gap. A Coal Tit visited my feeders at home, where a Goldcrest was calling.

Brooklands Park, Goring and Worthing

It was a busy morning at Brooklands Park, mostly with birds flying over. Goldfinches, in particular, were on the move. I missed the big numbers as the larger flocks were hugging the coastline, as I realised when I eventually made it to that side of the park! But I did notch up over 800. Other vismig highlights included two Crossbills, three Grey Wagtails, 25 redpolls, 50 Siskins, five Skylarks, a Reed Bunting, 11 Linnets, 18 Chaffinches, 21 Meadow Pipits and 12 Pied/White Wagtails. A pair of Gadwall on the lake was a pleasant surprise. At least one Kingfisher was hurtling around and three Cetti's Warblers were in voice. Also on the lake were two Little Grebes, nine Teal and five Mute Swans (the female with her four surviving cygnets). Two Coal Tits, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Green Woodpecker, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were also noted. A Firecrest was waiting by my car when I was getting ready to leave.

Given the easterly airflow, which often delivers Casps, I headed to Goring Gap in anticipation but drew a blank. There were nine Turnstones, a Mediterranean Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, four Skylarks and a Rook in the fields, though.

Back home, a Siskin flew north over the garden. Then, while helping Ingrid at the allotment at lunchtime I heard a Green Woodpecker, my first there and the closest I've had to the centre of Worthing.

Worthing, The Downs and Goring

An adult Peregrine was again near me in Worthing. I went on an afternoon walk on the downs near Steep Down again, hoping for another sighting of the Hen Harrier from the other day, but fog swept in to the valleys and hindered any chance. However, I did have around 30 Corn Buntings, a couple of Reed Buntings and a pair of Stonechats. I stayed for a little while after dark, hearing a Little Owl and two Tawny Owls. I picked Ingrid up in Goring later on, well after dark, hearing a Lapwing flying overhead when I opened the car door! I don't think this species is picked up on nocmig all that often and I was tempted to wonder whether it had been disturbed from somewhere due to the fireworks.

Goring Gap and Worthing

An early afternoon visit to Goring Gap produced 180 Mediterranean Gulls and 185 Common Gulls.

Later on I had one of the regular Peregrines in Worthing.

Goring Gap

A late morning visit to the Gap coincided with high tide. There was certainly an increase in gull numbers, though I've learned that when it comes to gulls locally, it is quantity or quality and rarely both! There were no standout species among the roost today but 27 Mediterranean Gulls made for my highest count for a while and 22 Great Black-backed Gulls was another notable number, while a total of 130 Common Gulls was another increase since my last check (though that was about a month ago now!). Around 15 Turnstones and a Ringed Plover were in the wader roost field.

Goring Gap and Cissbury Ring

I clocked a first-winter Caspian Gull in the southeastern field late morning. It flew off and was replaced by a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull. A Knot on the beach was notable and overhead there was a Golden Plover, a Yellow Wagtail, 87 Siskins, a redpoll, four Grey Wagtails and 65 Meadow Pipits. Two Wheatears and five Stonechats were on the ground and just off the beach was a flock of six Teal with two Wigeon. A flock of 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew west at distance. Further waders included three Sanderlings, eight Dunlin, 24 Ringed Plovers, 33 Turnstones and three Oystercatchers. An adult Sandwich Tern was also on the beach, with five Little Egrets. A Sparrowhawk and a juvenile Kestrel toured the fields. 45 Swallows and 40 House Martins flew through and two Goldcrests were heard in the bushes.

 

 A very quick - failed - twitch to Cissbury Ring for the Bookers' Yellow-browed Warbler did produce two Spotted Flycatchers.

Goring Gap

With a northwesterly breeze blowing I thought I'd give Goring Gap a go. Two Yellow Wagtails flew over and another was in the fields with 12 Pied Wagtails, 73 Turnstones and at least 12 Ringed Plovers. Three Grey Wagtails flew moved west, as did most of the 127 Meadow Pipits, though at least 22 of these came in off the sea. It was somewhat jarring to see 60 House Martins arrive off the sea and head north inland too! Two Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew east before correcting themselves and heading back down the Channel, where four Teal also headed. My first Great Crested Grebe of the season flew east distantly offshore and just one Sanderling appeared on the beach. Two Stonechats were in the rough area and six Little Egrets included one in the recently tilled field. An adult and a juvenile Common Gull made their way west separately.

Goring Gap and Adur Estuary

Vismig from the beach at Goring Gap recorded 105+ Siskins, 35 Yellow Wagtails, nine Grey Wagtails, seven Knot, five Sand Martins, two House Martins, 23 Swallows and 20 Meadow Pipits in just over three hours. Three adult Mute Swans just off the beach were unusual, while a Whinchat and two Wheatears moved through. Further waders included seven Oystercatchers, 11 Ringed Plovers, nine Turnstones and six Dunlin. It was interesting to watch a Stock Dove drinking sea water on the beach.

The Adur Estuary at high tide produced three Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, two Greenshanks, 20 Lapwings, 28 Redshanks, a Dunlin, two Sandwich Terns, four Grey Herons and five Little Egrets.

Goring Gap and Adur Estuary

Goring Gap was dead this morning, with 48 Little Egrets on the beach, a Sandwich Tern west and not a migrant of any description during my walk.

Hearing Phil was in Sussex, I suggested we meet up on the Adur Estuary for a quick look, where we saw a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 69 Ringed Plovers, 22 Dunlin, two Redshanks, 11 Oystercatchers, 19 Great Black-backed Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls and five Little Egrets.

Goring Gap

A fleeting visit to Goring Gap early morning produced a flyover Yellow Wagtail.

Goring Gap and Worthing

First thing this morning, a Whinchat was closely tagging along with a Wheatear on the beach, following its every move, and further singles of both species later appeared. A Yellow Wagtail flew over and a Garden Warbler showed nicely in the northwest corner. Two adult Sanderlings, 16 Ringed Plovers and 39 Turnstones were on the beach. Four Whitethroats, two Whitethroats, three Sandwich Terns, two Common Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Mediterranean Gull were also noted.

In the afternoon, at home in Worthing, I noticed two Willow Warblers in next door's tree. I opened my mistnet and soon enough one went in and attained a AA ring.

Goring Gap and Worthing

Goring Gap was devoid of migrants this morning, besides a fly-through Sand Martin, but two vocal juvenile Sparrowhawks in the Plantation made my day. Two Common Gulls and seven Mediterranean Gulls were in the back fields.





In Worthing, the female Peregrine was back on Manor Lea and another Sparrowhawk flew over West Tarring Allotments. A Grey Heron flew over my garden.

Goring Gap, Worthing and The Downs

A quick walk around Goring Gap this morning produced 15 Mediterranean Gulls, flyover Siskin and Grey Heron, 110 Black-headed Gulls, four Skylarks and a brood of Wrens.

At home in West Worthing, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls appeared on adjacent rooftops and around a dozen Swifts were still around.



Ingrid and I headed up to the downs for an early evening walk, seeing the female Shelduck with the two surviving juveniles on the dewpond near Lychpole Farm, while our circuit also encountered three Corn Buntings, 75 Goldfinches, two Swallows and four Buzzards. A Clouded Yellow was a nice surprise too!

 

Goring Gap, Worthing and Arundel WWT

A quick look at Goring Gap this morning revealed disappointingly few gulls to look through along the beach. A Sandwich Tern was sitting on a buoy, already with a white forecrown, five Little Egrets were feeding and three Mediterranean Gulls blogged around.

Over the garden in Worthing, 13 Swifts were back and I found an active nest site nearby.

In the afternoon, Ingrid and I took the chance to visit Arundel WWT, having booked our visit a few days ago. The highlights were two Cattle Egrets in full breeding fettle and a family party of five Treecreepers. A Hobby, two Red Kites and a Buzzard rode the thermals and recently fledged Sedge and Reed Warblers were in the bushes. Firecrest and Reed Bunting were in song. Two Oystercatchers were stationed where the new exhibits are under construction. Wild ducks included eight Gadwall and a Shoveler, while two Egyptian Geese snoozed and two Bullfinches piped away. The Sand Martin colony was quiet but four zipped around the reserve, with a Swallow. It was amusing two watch a Canada Goose make seed fall from a passerine feeder for it and its single gosling by tugging at the bottom of it.

Cattle Egrets and Mandarin at Arundel WWT

lateral-thinking Canada Goose and awestruck Mallard at Arundel WWT

Treecreepers at Arundel WWT

Oystercatcher at Arundel WWT