19th August 2019

FERRING RIFE: I walked up to the country centre and back south along the other side. A Kingfisher flew under the road bridge and fished for a short while at the far end, while the heron roost was busy with three sunbathing Grey Herons and nine Little Egrets. An anxious Reed Warbler alarm-called and waited for me to pass before delivering food to unseen young. Other birds included a male Reed Bunting, two Kestrels, two Buzzards, two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, a Sparrowhawk, two Mallards, four Moorhens,singles of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and gatherings of 40 Goldfinches and 130 Starlings, plus three Jackdaws and eight Rooks (the latter two species uncommon here) (DKC).

Little Egrets and Grey Heron at Ferring Rife (DKC)

Grey Heron soaking up the rays at Ferring Rife (DKC)

Kingfisher at Ferring Rife (DKC)

Little Egret at Ferring Rife (DKC)

GORING GAP: Two Whimbrel on the beach at the Gap were a pleasing sight first thing this morning. They shared the shore with 36 Ringed Plovers, four Sanderlings, two Dunlin, 15 Turnstones, seven Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron and 14 Little Egrets. Flyovers included a Yellow Wagtail, a Swift and another Grey Heron. In the Plantation, a Treecreeper was calling and a Sparrowhawk was on patrol. Seven Sandwich Terns and a Green Woodpecker were among the other birds noted (DKC).
2 Wheatear were also seen at the gap (AA)

Wheatear - Goring Gap (AA)

LADYWELL: A Spotted Flycatcher was seen. Birds caught for ringing included a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Cetti's Warbler, three Reed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 14 Blackcaps and 10 Willow Warblers. Also present was a Raven, two Grey Herons, two Buzzards, a Tawny Owl, two Swifts, two Green Woodpeckers, 50 Jackdaws, another Cetti's Warbler and another three Reed Warblers (JN/SW).