A phonecall this afternoon from CH announcing he had found a stunning male Black Redstart in the churchyard of St.Andrews church. The bird performed well in the afternoon sunshine and was heard calling on several occassions. Please stick to paths if visiting the churchard which is open to the public NB/GJ - phots NB
Goring Gap
A beautiful spring morning at the gap, with the temperature kept in check with a chilly north-westerly. It was with little surprise there was not a lot moving offshore. Good number of Great Crested Grebes remained whilst small number of Red-breasted Mergansers were getting flighty with 6 west and 4 east, but the surprise was a stunning drake Goosander that made its way west very close inshore just after 9am. Only 1 Red-throated Diver was logged east but I soon gave up to concentrate on the land.
Mediterranean Gulls were still about in number including a 2nd winter and 1st winter bird. Common Gulls were more numerous today too and just the 1 Lesser-black-backed Gull.
Only 1 Grey Plover resided the fields at high tide.
The land produced a drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker in the plantation, the biggest surprise was 2 Mistle Thrushes feeding on the middle plantations edge with a Song Thrush and a single Redwing. 3 Stonechats were in their usual haunts and Greenfinch's were very active today with at least 10 birds in the area with 1 pair displaying by the pump house, encouraging considering how their numbers have crashed in recent years. 2 Sparrowhawk were observed to the north of the gap and Skylark numbers were upto 12 in the surrounding fields NB
Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Stonechat and Greenfinch all at Goring Gap this morning (photo's NB)
At 12.20pm in the gull roost there were 38 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Herring Gulls, 19 Common Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls (1 adult and 2x2w). Also a pair of Stonechats were along the hard standing track towards the pumping station. Later at 17.40pm there were c500 Common Gulls roosting in the most western field aswell as 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls. GJ
Central Worthing
News has reached us of a Black Redstart that has been residing a garden in central Worthing for at least 2 months. Thanks to Dawn and Jim for letting us use their photo for the blog and wish for the exact location to be witheld. The observers suspect that there is another bird around. This ties in with a recent sighting and report from Worthing Hospital.
Black Redstart - Central Worthing - Dawn and Jim
Patching Pond:
A quick stop at 11.20am produced 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 2 Coot and 1 Great Crested Grebe. GJ
