March 19th 2019

GORING GAP: With a light and variable wind, it was a quiet morning offshore, with a lone Great Crested Grebe the only bird noted. As the tide flowed, I counted the waders on the beach: 27 Sanderlings, four Dunlin, 26 Turnstones, two Grey Plovers and five Oystercatchers. 11 Mediterranean Gulls and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull were logged and a Jackdaw flew north. A Skylark and a Song Thrush were in voice, while a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed briefly. There seemed to be a little something going on with Meadow Pipits and Pied/White Wagtails, with three and five, respectively, but no consistent directional movement. DKC

A mid-morning visit produced at least 3 Wheatears in the south western roost field with 2 together showing just south of the pumping station whilst another was on the western side of the pumping station, believed to be the first for the site for the year. 2 Chiff chaffs were another sign of spring arrivals with one in sub-song whilst Meadow Pipits were moving overhead in small numbers. A male Greenfinch appeared to be on territory near the pumping station and a Common Buzzard over the north fields NB

Great Crested Grebe at Goring Gap DKC

adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at Goring Gap DKC

FERRING RIFE had two showy Water Rails, a singing male Reed Bunting (giving the unpaired version), three singing Chiffchaffs, 23 Moorhens, two Pheasants, five Skylarks, two Green Woodpeckers, a trio of Long-tailed Tits, two Song Thrushes, three Meadow Pipits, a Linnet and three Pied/White Wagtails. DKC

Water Rail at Ferring Rife DKC

CISSBURY RING - A Firecrest and a single Wheatear NO