BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: Pre-roost time for gulls was checked at Brooklands Pleasure Park though I found nothing better than two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. I heard a Little Grebe, a Grey Heron was resting, 110 Starlings flew over and a charm of some 70 Goldfinches alighted in the trees (DKC).
CISSBURY RING: I spent the morning ringing at Cissbury with Val and Finch. The ringing highlight came when I heard a Marsh Tit by one of the net rides and requested D.J. Val to put the tape lure on for the species. Sure enough, it was in the net by the next net round. This is my first sighting in the Worthing area. Another moment of joy came later in the morning when I heard a Pied Flycatcher calling in a sycamore which I had earlier noted as looking promising for the species. After a little patience, it afforded some brief views though it stayed elusive within the canopy. Shortly before we packed the equipment away, a Tree Pipit dropped in and briefly landed in a nearby tree before vanishing. A Lesser Whitethroat, a Red Kite, a Raven, a Yellowhammer, two Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 60 Swallows, two Bullfinches, 10 Linnets, a Treecreeper and singles of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were among the other birds logged while ringing. The catch itself included two Garden Warblers, five Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff, and small numbers of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps (DKC).
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| Marsh Tit at Cissbury Ring (DKC) |
LADYWELL: Ringing produced a Song Thrush, two Cetti's Warblers, eight Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 16 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, three Willow Warblers, etc. Observations included a Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, a Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 80 Jackdaws, six Swallows, a House Martin, two Whitethroats and two Mistle Thrushes (SW/JN).
WORTHING: While popping to the Post Office in Worthing in the afternoon, I noticed six Swifts overhead, behaving as though they might still be local birds, though I can't be sure (DKC).
