Worthing Birding and Wildlife: July 2019

30th July 2019

GORING GAP: I put in almost 3.5 hours scanning the waves this morning. With a strong onshore wind, together with rain towards the end, there were few options for shelter and viewing was a challenge. I managed a few highlights, however, including a Little Tern close inshore, two Kittiwakes, two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Fulmars and three Common Scoters passing. 67 Gannets, three juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and six Sandwich Terns were also logged. A Little Egret and an Oystercatcher were on the beach (DKC).

29th July 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: A short stop late afternoon at the toll bridge produced a Common Sandpiper, two Oystercatchers, four Little Egrets, 14 adult Mute Swans, two Swallows, a Skylark, four Cormorants and a Linnet (DKC).

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: Two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls (SOS).

CISSBURY RING: A morning ringing with Val, Mya, Sue and John saw two Garden Warblers, two Whitethroats, a Treecreeper and small numbers of Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs trapped and ringed. My first local migrant Meadow Pipit of the autumn flew over, a couple of Yellowhammers were singing and Bullfinches were vocal in the bushes. Two loud Ravens, three Buzzards and a Kestrel were seen. A Pied Wagtail, singles of Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Skylarks and a handful of Linnets were among the other birds logged (DKC).

Garden Warbler at Cissbury Ring (DKC)

Treecreeper at Cissbury Ring (DKC)

Willow Warbler at Cissbury Ring (DKC)

28th July 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: A very rushed scan this evening revealed a Common Sandpiper and five Little Egrets (DKC). Whimbrel, two Oystercatchers, three Yellow-legged Gulls, Common Gull and juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull (SOS).

STEEP DOWN: Quail singing on north and west sides (SOS).

27th July 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: In the drizzle early this morning, just before high tide, I had another quick look at the Adur from the toll bridge. A group of five Common Sandpipers were feeding on the bank, along with two adult Dunlin. An Oystercatcher flew over and 17 adult Mute Swans completed the scene. A Sand Martin flew over, while a Swallow hawked low over the adjacent airfield. In the evening, Common Sandpipers increased to seven, and six Little Egrets were fishing (DKC).

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: Six Common Sandpipers, juv Grey Heron (SOS).

WIDEWATER: Four Common Sandpipers, 12 Little Egrets, Sandwich Tern (SOS).

26th July 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: As I was driving home, in the slow traffic along the A27 I spotted a large wader on the Adur just below the bridge. I couldn't resist stopping off and it turned out to be a lovely adult Black-tailed Godwit. A Whimbrel was more distant, and other birds included three Little Egrets, 15 adult Mute Swans, two Oystercatchers, a Pied Wagtail and two Swallows (DKC). Two Dunlin, two adult Mediterranean Gulls (SOS).

Black-tailed Godwit on Adur Estuary (DKC)

25th July 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: From the toll bridge I at last located a couple of waders: a Common Sandpiper and a Dunlin. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, five Swallows, seven House Martins, a Little Egret, 12 Mute Swans, a Pied Wagtail and a Linnet were also logged (DKC).

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: There was a reasonable number of gulls, with three juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls in the ranks, along with a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A Common Sandpiper showed well on the main island, a House Martin flew over and two Goldcrests were along the stream. Three Cormorants and the usual family of Mute Swans were present too (DKC).

Common Sandpiper at Brooklands Pleasure Park (DKC)

juvenile Yellow-legged Gull at Brooklands Pleasure Park (DKC)

BOTOLPHS: There was little other than two Treecreepers, a Little Egret, a Buzzard, two Song Thrushes and singles of Mute Swan, Whitethroat, Skylark, Pied Wagtail and Green Woodpecker, but I made a mental note that the surrounding paddocks looked promising (DKC).

GORING GAP: This morning produced a juvenile Sedge Warbler, a Grey Wagtail, five Swallows, a Ringed Plover, three Swifts, a Coal Tit, two Green Woodpeckers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Turnstones, a Sandwich Tern, four Skylarks, a Blackcap and two Whitethroats (DKC).

COOMBES: Four Grey Herons, a Little Egret and good numbers of gulls were gathered on the mud. An adult Peregrine was training a youngster up above and 20 House Martins were visible on Lancing College, with some visiting the river with a Swallow. Three Swifts and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were also noted (DKC).

adult male Peregrine over Coombes (DKC)

23rd July 2019

GORING GAP: A visit to Goring Gap produced three Swallows east along the coast and 30 House Sparrows in the weedy field. Non-avian highlights included a Small Skipper, a Small Copper and a few Gatekeepers. (NB)

Small Copper, Goring Gap (NB)

FERRING RIFE: A walk from the footbridge towards the country centre produced a flyover Mediterranean Gull whilst in the horse paddocks were 50 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Herring Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Other birds noted included four Moorhens, a Song Thrush and four Swallows. (CH)

FERRING: A Little Egret flew south west over Littlehampton Road.

GORING: A European Hornet near our flat yesterday evening. (GJ)

22nd July 2019

GORING GAP: In the north west corner of Goring Gap there were four Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs and a singing Song Thrush. (CH)

STEEPDOWN: A late evening walk produced two Chiffchaffs, at least 70 Corn Buntings, six Goldfinches, 62 Herring Gulls, a Kestrel, eight Linnets, 22 Magpies, a Grey Partridge, 15 Skylarks, a Song Thrush, a Sparrowhawk, 500 Starlings, a Stock Dove, four Swifts, three Swallows, four Whitethroats and four Yellowhammers. (GJ)

21st July 2019

ANGMERING PARK ESTATE: An hour overlooking the Angmering Park Estate produced nine Buzzards, 17 Carrion Crows, three Feral Pigeons, a Hobby, seven Herring Gulls, a Mistle Thrush, two Siskins, 14 Stock Doves, 36 Swallows, a Swift and 41 Woodpigeons. In the surrounding bushes were a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, a Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Magpie, a Robin and a Wren. (GJ)

GORING-BY-SEA: A Buff Ermine was on the front door to my block of flats. (GJ)

Buff Ermine, Goring-by-Sea (GJ)

PATCHING POND: Seven Mallards and a Coot. (GJ)

20th July 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: A scan from the toll bridge produced two Little Egrets, an adult Mediterranean Gull, ten Mute Swans and two Oystercatchers. On my way home there was a Kestrel perched on the telephone wires at New Salts Farm (GJ).

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, four Common Sandpipers and a Little Grebe this morning (AK via SOS).

GORING GAP: A 3.5-hour watch from the block produced a Bonxie, two Common Scoters, four Teal, two Common Terns, two adult Common Gulls, three Turnstones, 36 Gannets, 42 Sandwich Terns and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull. Four Little Egrets and 150 Starlings were on the beach (DKC).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Only birds of note being two Little Egrets (GJ).

19th July 2019

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Little Egrets (via SOS).

18th July 2019

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK had two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls among the small number of Larids present. An adult Mediterranean Gull and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also present, along with the usual Mute Swan family. A Goldcrest was still feeding juveniles by the stream, where a Green Woodpecker yaffled DKC. A Common Sandpiper was also present (SOS).

Yellow-legged Gull at Brooklands Pleasure Park (bird 1) DKC

Yellow-legged Gull at Brooklands Pleasure Park (bird 2) DKC

Five minutes scanning the ADUR ESTUARY from the toll bridge produced four Oystercatchers, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Little Egret and eight Mute Swans. DKC From Norfolk Bridge there was a Whimbrel and five Little Egrets (SOS).

GORING GAP first thing was almost immediately written off by grotty weather, with just two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and juvenile), two Little Egrets, two Sandwich Terns and an Oystercatcher noted before then. DKC

WIDEWATER: 5 Little Egrets (SOS).

WORTHING: A count of c30 Swifts were feeding up high over half moon lane Salvington late evening, largest flock seen in the area this year to date NB

12th July 2019

I only gave it half-an-hour or so at GORING GAP first thing, and indeed it felt quiet but I did record the first Grey Wagtail, Redshank and two Swallows of the autumn, along with 78 Gannets, two Sandwich Terns, three Swifts and two Mediterranean Gulls (one juvenile). DKC

11th July 2019

I almost didn't end up birding at all today but couldn't resist popping in to Brooklands Pleasure Park mid-afternoon for a quick look through the gulls. Lo and behold there was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, as well as a 2cy Mediterranean Gull, two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and increased numbers of fledged Herring Gulls. A Goldcrest was busy feeding two young. Two Green Woodpeckers, including a juvenile, were by the stream. Mallard broods of nine and 11 were present, and the pair of Mute Swans with their four juveniles were also on show. DKC

juvenile Yellow-legged Gull DKC

9th July 2019

The first Willow Warbler of the autumn called at the seaward end of the Plantation, where the Treecreeper also announced itself. A (the?) juvenile Yellow-legged Gull lingered offshore. Two Dunlin and a pair of Common Scoter flew east, while 64 Gannets also flew past. Five Mediterranean Gulls and six Little Egrets were seen, and 120 Woodpigeons flocked in the fields. A short walk produced three Whitethroats and a Blackcap. DKC

Late afternoon I called in to Brooklands Pleasure Park. Also present were a Little Grebe, a Little Egret, a 3cy Mediterranean Gull, three adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Tufted Duck, a House Martin, two Swifts, a couple of Goldcrests and three fledged Herring Gulls. A female Mallard had a brood of nine young ducklings and a Coot pair had three youngsters. Four young Mute Swans with a lone adult are now full juveniles.DKC

adult Yellow-legged Gull at Brooklands Pleasure Park DKC

Mallards at Brooklands Pleasure Park
DKC

Mute Swans at Brooklands Pleasure Park
DKC

8th July 2019

GORING GAP first thing produced another juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, this one flying east offshore. Gannets increased, with 51 past during my hour's vigil, along with seven Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Sandwich Terns (including several juveniles following their parents). DKC

6th July 2019

At GORING GAP early morning, my first juvenile Mediterranean Gull of the year flew east with an adult. A Goldcrest was calling at the seaward end of the Plantation and a Pied Wagtail flew over. 15 Gannets and two Sandwich Terns flew past offshore. A Grey Heron flew west and eight Swifts were overhead. Two Oystercatchers and 12 Little Egrets were on the beach. Blackcap, Skylark (three), Green Woodpecker and Song Thrush were heard. DKC

Swift numbers over the garden in WEST WORTHING increased to a quite impressive 35 screaming birds in the evening! DKC

3rd July 2019

The first juvenile Yellow-legged Gull of the season was at GORING GAP today, while movers there included a Meadow Pipit, a Pied Wagtail, 10 Swifts, four Common Terns, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Gannet. Seemingly typical here for the time of year was a dispersing Treecreeper in the Plantation, and a Green Woodpecker called. Seven Little Egrets, Skylark, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were also logged. DKC

juvenile Yellow-legged Gull at Goring Gap
DKC

FERRING RIFE provided a few highlights, including a Grey Wagtail, a surprising eight Reed Warblers (two fledglings), 10 Swallows, a Reed Bunting, a Grey Heron, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Coal Tit, a Song Thrush, three Mallards, two Moorhens, a Swift, five Whitethroats, a Blackcap, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Green Woodpecker, a Linnet, and a Sandwich Tern offshore.