2025 Done & Dusted - December Round Up

Well that’s another year of local birding done and dusted. Despite our stretch of coastline being highly developed there has been plenty to see within the environs of Worthing.  A haul that contained a spring Bluethroat,  multiple Hoopoes, a couple of September Wrynecks and three separate November Pallas’s Warblers within our urbanised area isn’t bad. Throw in a fly over Black Stork and a photographed Ortolan Bunting, our area has punched above its weight again.

December Round Up

Inevitably December was mostly wet and grey making winter birding hard work, though bright blue skies and sunshine over the Christmas period lifted spirits even though the pickings were still slim.

Seawatching

There was little to report on the sea with Wigeon (9w) and Teal (7w) from Marine Gardens on 6/12 a drake Goosander west past Goring 19/12 and a reasonable movement of Brent Geese, with circa 350 heading east on 23/12.

A two hour watch from Brougham Road (07:50-09:50) on 30th December produced masses of distant auks with an approximate count of c1100  mostly going east but only close enough to identify were Razorbills (26).  Also observed were Red-throated Diver (19e,7w), Great Northern Diver (1w), Red-breasted Merganser (18), Great Crested Grebe (8), Common Scoter (5e) Brent Goose (2w) and Kittiwake.

Coast and Goring Gap

Nine Brent Geese were in the fields at Goring Gap on 5/12 whilst the gull roost contained Great Black-backed Gulls (16) and Mediterranean Gull  (2 ad).  Ferring Rife held Kingfisher, Water Rail and two Stonechats (29/12).

The usual waders were around with a good count of Sanderling (98), Oystercatchers (11) and Turnstone (7) on the beach opposite Sea Lane Cafe. 

Cissbury and the Downs

19th December Downland Circuit north of Cissbury : the Downs were very quiet with only small numbers of buntings and finches seen mostly along the north escarpment from Steyning Round Hill along the SDW. Birds noted included Chaffinchs (15), Corn Buntings (6), Yellowhammer (3), Stonechat and Fieldfare (6+).

22nd December : Monarch’s Way and Stump Bottom yielded very little with the most notable sighting being Painted Lady near the Downs Barn and a Peacock on the Monarch’s Way.  Apart from that a mixed flock of Redwings, Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush near No Man’s Land was the only interest.

The cold weather was presumably responsible for a flock of Lapwings (20) flying north up Findon Valley on 24/12 with further reports of  44 heading north over Angmering on 27/12.

Two adult White-tailed Eagles  displaying over Long Furlong were an impressive sight on 24/12 though they drifted north towards Chantry Hill rather than towards the observers enjoying a mince pie with their coffee on the west side of Cissbury Ring. Also present were Redwing (6), Blackbird (6), Song Thrush (2) both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and a flock of Lapwings  (6) heading east over the trigpoint.

30th December Downland circuit north of Cissbury: Following a similar route to 19/12, though also taking in No Man’s Land and Stump Bottom, produced similar numbers of finches, buntings and thrushes. However additionally the cold weather had brought a flock of Lapwings (39) feeding on tilled fields and the Wiston Estate workers reported 8+ Woodcocks flushed by the morning pheasant shoot. 

Many thanks to all local observers who have contributed to helping ensure news is spread quickly and responsibly via the Worthing Birding WhatsApp group. We start again in the morning - Happy New Year and good birding in 2026.

Look to the East - December Highlights

In November we featured two star birds (Tale of Two Shrikes) in the Adur Valley though technically they failed to meet the 10km criteria. This month three scarcities in the far east livened up the dreary short damp days of December.  These very popular birds were all in the well watched environs of the Adur Estuary, though all were viewable inside the Worthing 10km boundary. 

Widewater

The shallow saline lagoons of the Widewater LNR always hold good numbers of Mute Swans and Little Grebes and can be a regular haunt for Grey Heron, Little Egret and Kingfisher. It is very well watched and occasionally something much scarcer drops in though often birds move on all too quickly, the male Citrine Wagtail being an all too painful example, evading all the local birders.

A female Goosander took up residence on 10th November and was still present at year end. More excitingly a male and female Goldeneye dropped into Widewater on 20th November but unfortunately this locally scarce bird didn’t linger. Three Goosander including a male were present on 7th-8th December.

                                                        Slavonian Grebe ( Nick Oliver)

Much more obliging was a Slavonian Grebe found by Jenny Holter on the 23rd November and remained until 30th November, which delighted observers and locals alike for several days, often giving very close views. A single Brent Goose was also present with up to 15 Little Grebes and 6 Coots.

Southwick Canal

The heavily industrialised canal basin of Southwick Canal lies on the border of the Worthing 10 km radius (anything west of Power Station is included). It can attract wintering seabirds and this December played host to a popular Red-necked Grebe between 8th-11th December, which although difficult to see at times did the decent thing being seen as far west as the lock gates. 

Also present for much of December was a Great Northern Diver and up to two Shag.

                                                    Red-necked Grebe ( Jerry Campbell) 

Southwick Beach

The final treat in the east were two first winter Little Gulls feeding along the tideline from Southwick Beach. The first sighting was a single 1st year bird on 17th December from the west breakwater of the harbour before two birds were relocated off the Power Station between 19th-23rd December. These delicate gulls proved popular during their five day stay with three birds seen briefly on 22/12.

Also noted was Black Redstart (21/12) and an early easterly movement of Brent Geese (c 350e) on 23/12.

                                                       1w  Little Gull ( Nick Oliver)

November - Best of Rest

Predictably as November progressed things settled down into a winter routine with most rewards to be found along the coastal strip. A Woodlark was probably the highlight of the month but there was still a trickle of finches and a few late Swallows. It was very quiet on the Downs with a notable absence of winter thrushes though a female Hen Harrier along Monarchs Way on 26th November was a good record. 

A Purple Sandpiper roosting on Worthing Pier from 24th-26th November was unusual as this species is rarely reported away from the regular winter roosts further east at Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina. After the excitement of the Pallas’s Warblers at the start of the month the best Brooklands could offer were Firecrest (2), Goldcrest (6+), Treecreeper, Blackcap and Chiffchaff ( 10th November).

Purple Sandpiper ( Nick Oliver)

Goring Gap and Ferring Rife

5th November : 34 Oystercatchers and 20 Turnstones were on the beach and 2 Stonechats in the rough field. Overhead passage was light but included Goldfinch (165e), Siskin (35e), Meadow Pipits (26e), Reed Bunting and Swallow. 

6th November :  Goldfinch (75e) at Goring with Swallow (2), Linnet (c.60),  Skylark (12) along west side of Ferring Rife. 

7th November : A Swallow south and Goldfinch (241e) flew over Goring Gap, whilst on the beach Bar-tailed Godwit (1), Redshank (4), Grey Plover (4), Oystercatcher (43), Sanderling (5), Dunlin (5) but only a handful of Turnstones were counted before the high tide. Passage included Wigeon (10w),  Brent Geese (34w), Common Scoter (5e), Red-breasted Merganser (3w) and Shelduck (2w). 

The gull roost contained Lesser Black-backed Gulls (4) , Med Gulls (5) and Common Gulls (4). 

8th November : The pick of the visible migration at Goring Gap was a Woodlark, with a steady trickle of Redpoll and Siskin and a couple of Grey Wagtails overhead. The plantation held good numbers of Goldcrest and four Chiffchaffs. 

14th November : Goring Gap: Firecrest (3), a couple of Chiffchaffs and several Goldcrests around the Plantation. 

15th November : A walk along Ferring Rife produced Water Rail, Snipe (3), Chiffchaff (8), Cetti’s Warbler (2), Goldcrest (25), Firecrest (2), Stonechat (2), Linnet (30) and a Reed Bunting.

17th November : There was still a few small flocks of Goldfinches and Redpoll heading east at Goring Gap with Lapwing (6) flying north. On the sea late Sandwich Terns (3w) were a surprise with Gannets (11) feeding close offshore. Red-breasted Mergansers (7), Red-throated Diver (1), and Great Crested Grebe (5) were also noted. 

19th November : A brief seawatch at Goring Gap (0900-0930) only produced Red-breasted Merganser (8w, 2e),  Great Crested Grebe (1e) and Common Scoter (1e).

21st November : A single Brent Goose in the western field at Goring Gap, whilst the beach held Ringed Plover (1), Dunlin (1), Sanderlings (17), Turnstone (39), Grey Plover (8) and Oystercatcher (64). A Kingfisher flew west over the beach, whilst on the sea Common Scoters (2), Red-breasted Merganser (11) and Great Crested Grebe (3) were noted. 

26 November : An influx of finches along the west side of Ferring Rife  was mostly Chaffinches, Linnets and Goldfinches but attracted Reed Buntings (8) a Blackcap and a couple of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes

30th November : A walk around Ferring Country Centre and Ferring Rife this morning produced Water Rail, Little Egrets (2), Stonechat, Reed Buntings (4), Skylarks (6) and a Peregrine. 

The Downs

A Black Redstart at Maudlin Farm Steyning Bowl (13th November) was a nice find away from the coast.

                                                         Black Redstart (Richard Phillips)

A decent southwesterly movement of Wood Pigeon (4100) and Stock Dove (110) on 8th November was the only significant report from Highdown with Crossbill (2e) and Reed Buntings (2) also noted.

Apart from a few roving Long-tailed tit flocks and the odd Stonechat very little was reported from Cissbury during the month. As winter thrushes were in short supply an arrival of 25+ Redwing (15th November) was most welcome being virtually the only reports all month.

A long circuit of the Downland north of Cissbury on 25th November eventually produced wintering finch & bunting flocks, but numbers were generally low with Reed Bunting (1), Corn Bunting (40+), Yellowhammer (25+), Chaffinch (15+). A Firecrest and a single Chiffchaff were seen along Worthing GC track but the continued absence of winter thrushes, despite plenty of berries, was perplexing. 

A Tale of Two Shrikes - so near yet so far !

When the Worthing Birding blog was launched the boundaries were drawn as a 10 km radius centered around Worthing Pier. This covers a lot of sea to the south and a semi-circle stretching from Sea Lane, Rustington in the west to Shoreham Power Station in the east. (See map in About/Contact). The north east boundary lies on the River Adur several hundred metres north of the recently reopened footbridge across the river.

Two of the best local birds of the autumn arrived in late October / early November in the Adur Valley and teased us by holding territories right on the limits of our self imposed 10km boundary. Admittedly the Isabelline Shrike at Woods Mill was closer to 10 miles rather than 10 km from the pier, but the Great Grey Shrike was only just outside the semi circle (and would have been comfortably in if the centre point was The Cricketers, Broadwater).

However Shrikes are such good birds we thought they deserved an honorary mention.

Isabelline / Red-tailed Shrike Woods Mill ( 26th October - 2nd November)

                                                              Isabelline Shrike ( Nick Oliver)

Things used to be simpler,  and a pale sandy coloured 1st winter shrike with a reddish tail found in late autumn would historically have been called an Isabelline Shrike. However these days even DNA  is not a 100% reliable way of separating 1st year Isabelline (Daurian) from Turkestan (Red-tailed) Shrikes and we can’t even agree on a name never mind the identification features. What hasn’t changed is the fact that either species is extremely rare  in Sussex with only four previous records. This meant a confiding and long staying bird found by Alex Rosenfeld at Woods Mill was extremely popular during its 8 day stay. 

Great Grey Shrike - Beeding Brooks (12th-18th November)

                                             Great Grey Shrike Beeding Brooks (Richard Phillips)

Great Grey Shrike was once an almost annual winter occurrence somewhere on the heaths and forests of Surrey, Sussex or Hampshire but in recent years it has become much harder to catch up with. A typically mobile bird was found by Bob Eade in the Adur Valley, on Beeding Brooks 3/4 mile north of the footbridge, on Wednesday12th November. This bird showed well for much of the following day but then moved further back and proved frustratingly difficult to see over the rest of its stay.

 

November - Starts with a Bang

In the October Highlights Blog we commented on how a small phylloscus warbler from Siberian Russia was one of the most eagerly sought scarcities during autumn migration. We were of course referring to Yellow-browed Warbler, which is itself a fine bird, full of character and energy and blessed with a bold yellow eye stripe and two smart wing bars, but is now almost expected each October. However there is an even brighter and more energetic seven-striped sprite, which boast a dazzling lemon rump that is glimpsed as it hovers to snatch aphids from autumnal leaves - Pallas’s Warbler.

Now this is a much rarer visitor to the south coast and often arrives a little bit later than Yellow-browed Warblers in late October / early November and so far we have been lucky enough to have not one, not two, but THREE individuals turn up in our recording area. This hasn’t made them easy to see as each bird proved to be elusive and only graced us with a fleeting appearance and all were gone the next morning.

Saturday 1st November Langmeads Park, East Preston

                                                   Pallas’s Warbler Langmeads ( Mike Galtry)

The fun started at Langmeads Fields, East Preston, local patch to Colin Jupp who has previously found several Yellow-broweds here. His constant efforts were rewarded early in the month when he discovered a small bright warbler with a bold eye and crown stripe and even before he had seen the lemon rump he knew it was a Pallas’s Warbler. This bird showed on and off for most of the day and being a weekend allowed many local birders an opportunity to catch up with it, though it was highly mobile and proved frustratingly difficult to see well or indeed photograph.

Wednesday 5th November- Brooklands

                                              Essence of Pallas’s Warbler Brooklands (Nick Oliver)

Those that missed the first chance didn’t have to wait long as a second bird  was found at Brooklands Park a few days later and although very mobile did show on and off, before disappearing about 14:30 never to be seen again. This bird associated with a small group of Tits and Goldcrests, which also contained 1-2 Firecrests, which kept the crowd entertained whilst waiting for the Pallas’s Warbler. It was found in the small clump of Sallows at the north end of the park in exactly the same spot as the most recent Worthing record from November 2018. That bird was found by Gareth James whilst out birding with his dad Paul and the 2025 bird was found by his Mum Bridget James who was also birding with her husband Paul !

Saturday 8th November - Ferring Rife

The James family struck again the following weekend with Gareth finding a third individual along Ferring Rife, although that too proved difficult to catch up with and was gone the following morning. 

WOW -  three local Pallas’s Warblers in eight days! These birds were part of a nationwide influx at the start of November with birds seen along the entire east and south coast including at least six other Sussex records. 

Additionally another Yellow-browed Warbler was present in a private garden in Angmering on 9th-12th 

Thanks to Maria McGrath for the best shot to date of the Brooklands bird.

Pallas’s Warbler - Brooklands (Maria McGrath)

October News - Best of the Rest

Highlights

                                                   Dartford Warbler Goring Gap (Duncan) 

Two late Spotted Flycatcher at Highdown and a Whinchat on Cissbury on 2/10 were the last reports of the year. Wheatears continued to pass through with records from Goring Gap (1/10), Cissbury (2/10), Marine Gardens x2 (9/10) and Steyning Round Hill 13-15/10, which also are likely to be the last sightings until next March as any Wheatear in November may be prove to be something significantly better.

The first Redwings (5) were at Highdown on 11/10 and Fieldfare (3) at Steyning Round Hill on 13/10 but after that very few others records during the month. Hopefully there will be a decent arrival in November as there are plenty of berries around this year.

There was a small arrival of Dartford Warblers with birds passing through as they move from the inland heaths to coastal wintering grounds. The first was seen on Cissbury on 2/10 followed by a surprising find in an East Preston garden on 14/10. Finally a third bird was present at Goring Gap on 25-26/10 keeping company with six Stonechats and a Black Redstart.

A sure sign of the approaching winter was an increase in raptor sightings on the Downs with Merlin at Steyning Round Hill on 13/10, two Marsh Harriers at same location on 15/10 and a female Hen Harrier at No Man’s Land on 31/10. A late Hobby was also seen over Cissbury on 16/10.

Seawatching

A reasonable count of Gannets (184w) including 19 all dark juveniles were seen from Brougham Road on Friday 3rd October along with Common Scoter (3w), Mediterranean Gull (2w), Kittiwake (1e), Fulmar (1w) and four unidentified auks. 

On Saturday 18th October a Sooty Shearwater was seen heading east from Goring Gap having been initially reported from Selsey 35 minutes earlier. Also noted were Brent Geese (9w), Wigeon (18w) and several Gannets offshore. 

The following day a Red throated Diver  and a near full summer plumage Great Northern Diver headed east from Brougham Road. There was a large group of gulls and Gannets (100+) feeding  offshore  whilst a passage of Brent Goose (5e,7w), Common Scoter (5e), Wigeon (8w) and Teal (2w) were noted along with Mediterranean Gull (13), Razorbill (7e,10w) and distant auk sp. (54e,8w). 

Finally on Friday 31st October a very late Arctic Skua went west along with Sandwich Tern (1w),  Auk sp. (138w), (Razorbill (8w) , Brent Goose (3w), Common Scoter (3e), Red-throated Diver (1e) and Shelduck (1w).

A Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost at Goring Gap on 19/10 whilst Paul James went one better and found a first winter Caspian Gull there the next day.

The Downs

Whilst most of the action was along the coast there was still evidence of visible migration on the higher ground to the north of the town.  Crossbills were reported from Cissbury (4) - 1/10 & 9/10 and Highdown (4) on 1/10 along with a small number of Siskins. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps which continued to be reported from Highdown and Cissbury and other Downland sites up until 11/10 after which numbers reduced significantly. Meanwhile Swallows and House Martins trickled south over the Downs with the last notable counts from Cissbury being House Martins (125) on 10/10 Swallows (150) on 18/10

There was a good arrival of Goldcrests with Firecrest (2) amongst a flock at Highdown on 11/10. A Golden Plover along Monarch’s Way on 7/10 and Lapwings (9) over Steyning Round Hill on 14/10 were good records as was a count of Corn Bunting (150) on Monarch’s Way on 2/10.

Finally Black Redstarts (2) were a good find in a Steyning Alloment on 16/10.

                                                    Wheatear Goring Gap (Ralph Simpson)

October News - Coasting Finches

A notable feature of October is the migrating flocks of finches along our coastline. This is usually best on days with light easterly or north easterly winds and on several days conditions were perfect with decent counts recorded from Ferring and Goring Gap. This movement is mostly confined to the coast with very few finches seen from our Downland watch points on days with big counts along the coast.

Where have they come from and where they are heading? It is believed that food shortages in continental Europe can lead to an influx to the UK with some birds wintering here or heading further south into France and Spain.

Wednesday 1st October

Goring Gap between 0650 and 0930 recorded a light overhead passage including Pied Wagtail (82e), Yellow Wagtail (1) Grey Wagtail (1), Meadow Pipit (c30e), Swallow (c105e) and finch flocks containing Goldfinch (c150e), Siskin (c60e)and Redpoll (2e).

On the beach were  17 Little Egrets,  lined up on the groynes, a Redshank and a single Wheatear, whilst the first Great Crested Grebe of the winter was noted on the sea. 

Tuesday 7th October

No overhead passage but lots of birds feeding around Ferring Rife and adjacent fields, mostly Linnets, Goldfinches, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks plus a few Greenfinches. Along Ferring Rife Chiffchaffs (15). Blackcaps (2) and Stonechat. 

Thursday 9th October

A small movement over East Preston with a flock of Siskin  (12) and Redpoll (5) while Wheatears (2) were on the beach near Marine Gardens.

Friday 10th October

A short visit to Ferring Rife saw Goldfinches (60+) heading east with three south bound Swallows. Grounded migrants included Chiffchaffs (12), Firecrest (1), Goldcrest (6) and Stonechat (2).

Monday 13th October

The first big movement of the month with a busy morning at Goring Gap. In three hours from 07:00 today a continuous stream of finches with Goldfinch (c1060e), Linnet (c115e),  Siskin (c150e). Crossbill (9e), Redpoll (7e). They were joined by 150+ of each of Swallow and House Martin also moving east into the wind. 

On the sea returning geese and wildfowl included Brent Geese (67w 7e) and Wigeon (27w 17 offshore).

Wednesday 15th October

A steady passage of Swallows and Goldfinches along the coast between Widewater and Brooklands whilst 100+ Siskins went east over Sompting Brooks. a Kingfisher and two Wheatears were on the beach just east of the pier.

Thursday 16th October

In under an hour at Goring Gap this morning Goldfinch (120e), Siskin (40e), Linnet (35e), Pied Wagtail (6), and Skylark (6) were recorded overhead with 80+ Swallows and House Martins feeding over the fields and Chiffchaffs (20) in the plantation. 

Over 500 Goldfinches were recorded in small flocks heading east in two hours along the seafront between Widewater and Brooklands this morning with the biggest single group containing 40-50 birds. Five Clouded Yellows were also out enjoying the sunshine.

Two Crossbills were noteworthy heading east over Park Road, Worthing early morning.

Friday 17th October

Another bumper day at Goring Gap with obsevations between 0725 and 0950.  Impressive numbers of   Goldfinch (1430e) dominated the morning accompanied by Linnet (66e), Siskin (81e) and Redpoll (8e). Swallow (c90e) and a further 100+ feeding over the fields with c50 House Martins.  A Corn Bunting flying east was an unusual record on the coast.

Saturday 18th October

Fewer finches at Goring Gap this morning but several Meadow Pipits  and Swallows (10) flew out to sea with House Martins (c50e). Swallows (60) were feeding over fields with Skylark (8), Stonechat (2) in the rough field and Firecrest , Treecreeper and several Chiffchaffs in the plantation.  

Sunday 19th October

The last notable finch movement of the month saw Goldfinches (150e) and Redpoll (30e) over Goring Gap with Swallows (150e) and a late Sand Martin. The Plantation held lots of Goldcrest , Chiffchaffs, Blackcap (3) and an arrival of Song Thrushes.

Sunday 26th October

A change in wind direction appeared to have halted the Goldfinches, but Siskin, Redpoll (2w) and Crossbills (4w) over Goring Gap this morning were noted. A flock of Stock Dove (24) went west with an early movement of  Wood Pigeons.

Thursday 30th October

The last finches of the month were a flock of Redpoll (40+) over Goring Primary School and there were still Stonechat (4) in the fields and three late Swallows west at the Gap.