September 2nd 2018

Things started well at GORING GAP with a Redstart by the blocked road, followed by an eastbound and very vocal Golden Plover. However, the real highlight came with a Nuthatch at Ilex Avenue - a mega patch bird! 10 Yellow Wagtails flew over and a Wheatear was in the fields, along with six Skylarks. Four Whitethroats were in the bushes while further fly-throughs included three Sand Martins and 45 Swallows. 33 Little Egrets flew along the shore, seven Sandwich Terns were milling around and waders included 10 Oystercatchers, 64 Ringed Plovers and 56 Turnstones. A glance offshore revealed just a single Gannet. Two Mediterranean Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and five Common Gulls were noted. A Kestrel was a notable bird for the Gap and a Sparrowhawk flew over. The Treecreeper was in the Plantation; a Jackdaw and three Coal Tits were logged. DKC/IJ

Nuthatch along Ilex Avenue DKC

Oystercatchers on the beach at Goring Gap DKC

Extending the walk to FERRING RIFE, we added four Wheatears, 36 Linnets, a grounded Grey Wagtail, six Buzzards, 12 Moorhens, another Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Sand Martin, 22 Swallows, four Jackdaws and a Kestrel of note. A Painted Lady was by the beach. DKC/IJ

juvenile Buzzard over Ferring Rife DKC
male Wheatear at Ferring Rife DKC