A circular walk around the area in the rain was reasonably productive, the best bird being a Red Kite that flew East to West at 10.15am, my first site record of this species. There were also five Mediterranean Gulls on Goring Greensward (3 adults, 1 2w and 1 1w) with others in the gull roost. Also a Goldcrest was seen flitting around in the bushes on the edge of the Holm Oak plantation near the beach so possibly a migrant. Other totals included 2 Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwings, 3 Stock Doves and a Stonechat in the NW corner. GJ/PJ
A seawatch (06.40-08.40) by DKC added a Goosander on the sea that flew off East, 18 Common Scoter E, 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Fulmars W, 15 Red-throated Divers, 16 Gannets, 6 Kittiwakes, 7 Great Crested Grebes and 38 Red-breasted Mergansers. A Bar-tailed Godwit was on the beach also in the area was a male Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylarks, 11 Mediterranean Gulls (8 adults, 2x3cy, 2cy), 4 Lesser-black Backed Gulls and a Pheasant behind the pillbox. DKC
Record shot of Goosander by DKC
BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK:
No let up in the rain but some interesting birds on offer including 2 Water Rails, 1 of which was very showy by the yellow pump on the Western side, 6 Gadwall, 25 Teal and 7 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, single Dunlin and Oystercatcher, 105 Herring, 5 Great Black-backed, 1 Lesser Black-backed and 22 Black-headed Gulls. The only passerine of note was a singing Song Thrush at the Northern end near the sewage works. GJ/PJ
