It was another long day out in the field. Grounded migrants at GORING GAP included a male Redstart, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Whinchat, four Wheatears, three Whitethroats, three Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs and four Willow Warblers. Two Sand Martins fed over the northwest corner and overhead moved a Swift, seven Yellow Wagtails, two Grey Wagtails, two Pied Wagtails, 10 Meadow Pipits, 17 House Martins and a Swallow. A Greenshank was heard calling and other waders at high tide included an increase to 52 Sanderlings (just one juvenile - my first of the autumn), as well as 63 Ringed Plovers, 72 Turnstones, a Redshank and four Oystercatchers. An adult Mediterranean Gull and seven Common Gulls were in the fields. A large female Sparrowhawk was on the prowl and a Kestrel was seen, as well as three Skylarks and a Jackdaw. A Coal Tit sang and I counted 14 Greenfinches. 15 Little Egrets were along the beach. Offshore was a Gannet and nine Sandwich Terns. DKC
Extending my walk to FERRING RIFE, I encountered a fly-over Peregrine, an additional two Lesser Whitethroats, a Wheatear on the beach, two Reed Warblers, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, four Swallows, a Pied Wagtail, a Skylark, a Sparrowhawk, two Kestrels, a Jackdaw, two Rooks, a Linnet, three Mallards and 15 Moorhens. A handful of Little Egrets were loafing around and feeding in the Rife. DKC
