30th September 2019

GORING GAP: I arrived on site mid-morning and was soon apparent that there was plenty of birds around noteabley with the constant calls of Meadow Pipits and the Swallows and House Martins overhead. The Meadow Pipit numbers must have easily exceeded 2,000 birds, some strangely arriving in off the sea from the south east, but many were grounded and became invisible in the stubble fields, were difficult to get a definitive count and I do not recall seeing this many at one site before. A few Sand Martins were picked out amongst the hirundines, many were feeding up above the plantation, the sky was full of hirundines anytime you scanned the horizon. The fields contained just a single Wheatear, 10 Skylark, the gull roost contained 124 Black-headed Gulls, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Gulls and 2 Sandwich Terns which included a young bird. Linnets were about in good number, a mobile flock of 24 patrolled the fields most of the morning before moving off east whilst a further 62 were noted in 2 flocks also moving east. 2 single Reed Buntings flew over, as did a single Tree Pipit, a Grey Heron flew over the houses on the west side, the only raptor noted was a Sparrowhawk. The bushes were fairly quiet except for Chiffchaff numbers, at least 10 were feeding up together near the pumping station, and a couple of Blackcap in the north west corner where the only Stonechat of the morning was seen. The breeze picked up and the hirundine numbers dwindled as the sun came out, I thought I would check the area on the east side where I found some everlasting sweat pea last week to find it had been cut back as had most of the grass verges around the fields(NB)

Chiffchaff, Sandwich Tern, Wheatear and Stonechat all at Goring gap (NB)

Calm conditions were ideal for a good passage of hirundines and Meadow Pipits along the coast and over the fields at the Gap this morning.

Between 0900 and 1030, c.400 of the former, which were mainly Swallows (say 80%) and 60 of the latter flew West with another 30 on the ground.

Also a few distant Wagtails (I'd say alba).

Later, at around 1300, four Wheatears had appeared on the beach, at

least two of which looked like Greenlands.

I had a short look at the Ferring Paddocks in the afternoon and there

were c.30 Meadow Pipits there with a Stonechat and Chiffchaff by the Rife (CH)

LADYWELL: A productive ringing session saw 73 Blackcaps, 127 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests, six Song Thrushes and a Kingfisher among the birds ringed.  Others included two Cetti's Warlers, a Grey Wagtail, 150 House Martins, two Moorhens, two Skylarks, 30 Swallows and a Swift (MM et al).

WEST WORTHING:
With much to do around the house, I reluctantly stayed in this morning but kept an eye on the skies whenever I popped into the garden, noting 22 Meadow Pipits, 23 Swallows, two Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest and a garden-tick Little Egret. (DKC)

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: In the afternoon I squeezed in flying visits to Brooklands Pleasure Park and the Adur Estuary. At Brooklands highlights included a Grey Wagtail, a Little Grebe, five Teal, a House Martin, 11 Chiffchaffs, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, three Goldcrests, a Little Egret and the entire Mute Swan family still going strong (DKC).

ADUR ESTUARY: The tide was still a little high on the Adur and I only stayed a few minutes, noting four of both Little Egret and Turnstone, a Ringed Plover and a Mute Swan (DKC).BirdTrack listed two Mallards, three Grey Herons, three Little Egrets, 14 Lapwings, six Oystercatchers, a Dunlin, two Greenshanks, 10 Turnstones, 20 Redshanks and four Chiffchaffs.

STEYNING PENLANDS VALE/BOSTAL HORSE FIELDS: A Swift and three Swallows (BirdTrack).

WORTHING: 10 House Martins and two Swallows flew SSW over Guildbourne House at 10am (SOS).

29th September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Greenshanks and a Kingfisher (BirdTrack).

LYCHPOLE HILL: SNOW BUNTING still (SOS).

28th September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Mute Swans, three Grey Herons, five Little Egrets, 25 Redshanks, a Greenshank and a Kingfisher (BirdTrack).

CHANCTONBURY RING (borders): A Spotted Flycatcher and a Raven (BirdTrack).

GORING GAP: It was rather gusty this morning but some passerines struggled through, namely four Yellow Wagtails, six Pied/White Wagtails, six Swallows and 65 Meadow Pipits. Offshore my first two local Dark-bellied Brent Geese of the autumn headed west, along with two Common Scoters and 13 Gannets. As the tide rose, 84 Turnstones, four Sanderlings, 31 Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin gathered in the roost field, only to be spooked by a passing Sparrowhawk. A Kestrel was flung along the beach by the breeze. Three Skylarks were by the coast road and a Chiffchaff was calling from the seaward end of The Plantation (DKC).

SOMPTING : A SNOW BUNTING on the downs on the footpath east of Lambley's barn TQ158061 (SOS/various)

Snow Bunting (Tom Sadler via Sussex Facebook birders group)

PATCHING HILL: still some common migrants inc. 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Redstarts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 22 Chiffchaffs, 4 Stonechats, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear and 3 Blackcaps. Also 3 Firecrests and 2 Red Kites. Trickle of hirundines and Meadow Pipits over (RS)

WORTHING: 40 Ringed Plovers, a Turnstone and four Great Black-backed Gulls (BirdTrack).

28th September 2019

 LYCHPOLE HILL: SNOW BUNTING on footpath at top behind Sompting Church (SOS).


PATCHING HILL: It was pleasing to see that there were still some common migrants around this morning, including 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Redstarts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 22 Chiffchaffs (many more than on my last visit), 4 Stonechats, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Wheatear but only 3 Blackcaps. Also 3 Firecrests and 2 Red Kites. A trickle of hirundines and Meadow Pipits flew over (SOS).

27th September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: 11.00, HT, a look from Norfolk Bridge found seven Little Egret, four Grey Heron, some 40 Common Redshank, three Greenshank (pic of some) and single Lapwing and Snipe, but more impressive was the number of quartering Swallow - say 200 (pic of two such) (SOS).

GORING GAP : A short look at Goring Gap today produced 28 Ringed Plovers, Sanderling and Turnstones, Dunlin and 3 Oystercatchers using the field roost and my first Brent Goose of the autumn flew W (CH/AA)

Sanderling, Turnstone and Ringed Plover (AA)

STEYNING BOSTAL CHALKPIT-MONARCH'S WAY: A Redstart, a Marsh Tit, 15 Swallows, a House Martin, four Chiffchaffs, a Whitethroat, a Song Thrush and 40 Meadow Pipits (BirdTrack).

26th September 2019

WORTHING : A BALEARIC SHEARWATER was seen off marine gardens at lunchtime today (NO) and a Common Tern at Goring Gap (CH).
Several Meadow Pipits were doing there best in the blustery conditions to migrate and a Grey Wagtail flew over Rogate Road which was a nice house tick for me, a sizeable flock of c100 Starlings is now gathering along the greensward of Goring Gap but despite having a good scan, no Rose-coloured Starling in amongst them today (NB)

25th September 2019

SHOREHAM FORT: Rock Pipit, Wheatear, four Pied Wagtails, several Turnstones (SOS).

24th September 2019

SHOREHAM: Sandwich Tern off Harbour Way (SOS).

22nd September 2019

WORTHING PIER: I tried a seawatch off the pier this morning. It was quiet but somehow I managed to happily while away over two hours, mainly spent counting Gannets: 423 in total, with a roughly even split heading each way. The highlight was a close adult Red-throated Diver, but otherwise three Kittiwakes and six Common Scoters were the best on offer. 24 Mediterranean Gulls, two Common Gulls, 10 Sandwich Terns, nine Swallows and, oddly, a Grey Heron also flew past offshore. Two Grey Wagtails and four Meadow Pipits were heard overhead. In addition, a Little Egret was feeding on the beach and a Turnstone could be heard at roost below the pier (DKC).

FERRING RIFE : A Kestrel was hunting the field opposite the Swallows return as i drove past, I also noticed 12 Little Egrets looking sorry for themselves after the earlier heavy rain in the same field at the western end (NB)

SALVINGTON: My garden feeders were busy at lunchtime with a sizeable tit flock lingering for a while including a single Chiffchaff and good to see a Coal Tit using the feeders again (2 birds were visiting late winter), Goldcrests were around too and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth briefly visited (NB)

21st September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Kingfishers were fighting by the toll bridge (SOS).

CISSBURY RING: Ringing produced a Firecrest, 27 Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests, a Whitethroat, five Long-tailed Tits and two Robins. Sightings included two Ravens, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel (VB/FD).

LADYWELL: Among the birds processed during ringing was a Firecrest, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Song Thrush, two Reed Warblers, a Whitethroat, 57 Blackcaps, 80 Chiffchaffs, four Goldcrests, a Treecreeper and two Greenfinches. Sightings included a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, a Tawny Owl, a Kingfisher, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Kestrel, a Raven, three Cetti's Warblers, a Nuthatch and two Grey Wagtails (JN et al).

MILL HILL: Red Kite (SOS).

UPPER BEEDING: Two GREAT WHITE EGRETS flew over with a Little Egret. A Sparrowhawk was also seen, along with 10 Mute Swans and report of Sand Martins, two Kestrels and 40 Greylags. A Common Sandpiper was nearby (SOS).

LANCING STATION: Had a good look here from the asda car park as had seen on the sussex butterflies website there had been sightings of Long-tailed Blue butterflies here. I found some everlasting sweet-pea and waited but no sightings for me, watched a Chiffchaff feeding at close quarters and there was a sizeable flock of c40 House Sparrows feeding next to the railway line (NB)

GORING GAP: A brief work break visit produced a Stonechat along the rough field fence, a Whitethroat and a single Greater black-backed Gull (NB)

SALVINGTON: At least 100 Swallows migrated east over Selden rec just before dusk and a single Hobby flew over south east (NB)

20th September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: This morning I finally connected this year with a Greenshank at the Adur Estuary, while waders were otherwise represented by a Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plovers, a Redshank and 24 Turnstones. Four Mistle Thrushes, which felt like my first in ages, flew over, and I was surprised to rack up six Song Thrushes. 40 House Martins drifted through well above the 13 Swallows logged. Five Reed Buntings were in an adjacent field, along with a Stonechat, and 20 Meadow Pipits travelled east. Two Whitethroats, six Blackcaps and seven Chiffchaffs were in the riverside bushes, some of these being in with a flock of 15 Long-tailed Tits. A young female Sparrowhawk drifted over and a Kestrel was also seen. Two Kingfishers shot along the river and other birds included a Grey Wagtail, seven Pied Wagtails, four Mute Swans, three Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, two Mallards and nine Collared Doves (DKC).

GORING GAP: Spotted Flycatcher, six Swallows, two Chiffchaffs, two Gannets, two Turnstones, six Little Egrets and an Oystercatcher (BirdTrack).

19th September 2019

HIGHDOWN: A morning walk at Highdown featured a Reed Bunting, six Stonechats, four Yellow Wagtails, 62 Meadow Pipits, two Bullfinches, seven Goldcrests, a Whitethroat, 10 Blackcaps, nine Chiffchaffs, nine House Martins, 24 Swallows, a Sand Martin, two Skylarks, a Buzzard, a Kestrel and two Mallards (DKC).

STEEP DOWN: Late in the afternoon I took a brief stroll around Steep Down, logging another six Stonechats, six Meadow Pipits, a Corn Bunting, 70 Linnets, 30 Goldfinches, a Whitethroat, two Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, two Kestrels and a Buzzard (DKC). Also Whinchat, Raven, 19 Stonechats, six Yellow Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 20 Greenfinches, 70 Linnets, 40 Goldfinches, 50 Swallows, six Chiffchaffs, Buzzard and Kestrel (BirdTrack).

MILL HILL: A Spotted Flycatcher was around near the car park, plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcap and Whitethroat moving through and small groups of House Martins moved over eastwards, the main highlights were butterflies, pretty quiet initially on the butterfly front with just a few Small Heath and Meadow Browns seen. As it warmed up, i managed to find 3 Wall Browns which showed nicely. Whilst watching these 2 blue butterflies flew past pretty quickly chasing each other. I managed to get a fairly good view as they went past and appeared very small and Greyish in appearance and i was convinced they were Long-tailed Blues, unfortunatley they did not land but having seen this species abroad i cannot think what else they could be. This was by the car park taking the gravel path to the right towards the road in front of the small wooded area. The butterflies flew towards the road. Worth checking out if in the area (NB)

18th September 2019

CISSBURY RING: Birds processed during ringing included 37 Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests and a Whitethroat. Yellow Wagtails, a couple of Ravens and a Kestrel were among the other birds noted (VB).

GORING GAP: A walk around Goring Gap produced a Reed Bunting, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Treecreeper, a Yellow Wagtail, two Wheatears, a Grey Wagtail, 33 Meadow Pipits, nine Chiffchaffs, nine Swallows, a Whitethroat, six Goldcrests, an eastbound Rook, six Jackdaws and a Little Egret (DKC).

SHOREHAM/ADUR ESTUARY: A nice Yellow Wagtail flying E over Shoreham Port. Then Widewater Lagoon there were 5 Teals and 5 Little Grebe plus 2 Sandwich Terns flying E. Estuary and muddy river bank between bridges brought around 20 Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 20 Lapwings, 3 Dunlins, 30 Turnstones plus 8-10 Ringed Plovers and one cracking Sanderling. Also 3 Sparrowhawks, many Kestrels and Buzzards, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Greenfinches, lots of passing Meadow Pipits and Swallows and finally one Spotted Flycatcher (SOS).

This morning, at low tide, on the Adur at the Airport were one Sanderling, 15 Ringed Plover, three Dunlin and a painted lady butterfly (pictured). Here also a Spotted Flycatcher and two Chiffchaff and a mass of House Sparrow and Starling. In the garden at New Salts Farm were six Chiffchaff (SOS).

STEYNING ROUNDHILL: Yesterday afternoon up here were single Whinchat and Wheatear, both smart in the sunshine, and also a Whitethroat and resident raptors - Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite, the latter seems to have taken the place of harriers which, in years gone by, could be relied upon here (SOS).

17th September 2019

CISSBURY RING: There was a non-stop flow of House Martins heading west over Cissbury this morning. On the west and south sides there were Redstart, Whinchat and Whitethroat with a good number of Meadow Pipit. Above a Raven announced its presence and a family of four Buzzards were taking flying lessons (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: In the garden today I heard Coal Tit and Chiffchaff. I was astonished when a female Brown Hairstreak landed on the edge of our pond! (DKC).

16th September 2019

BROOKLANDS PARK : A good look around the park proved very quiet migrant wise, highlights included a Kingfisher near the stream, a Common Buzzard overhead, several Chiffchaffs (one singing by the cycle track), a Blackcap and a Spotted Flycatcher by the stream. A single Little Grebe was also noted, several birders were covering the site this morning (NB/JD/BFF)

Common Darter (NB)

GORING GAP : The Whinchats appear to have finally moved on but have been replaced by Stonechats with at least 3 birds present, 1 by the rough field and 2 along the path to the pumping station. A single Med and Common Gull were amongst the gulls, a Yellow Wagtail moved overhead as did 2 Skylarks headed purposely east. A few Chiffchaffs around the bushes and 2 Whitethroats by the pumping station 30c House Martins were seen distantly feeding up over Ferring and 3 Stock Dove and a Collared Dove were amongst the large numbers of Wood Pigeons (NB)

Mediterranean Gull (NB)

Stonechats (NB)

STEYNING ROUNDHILL: This morning, in bushes alongside the Langmead memorial on Steyning Roundhill, were single Lesser Whitethroat (top three pics) and Common Whitethroat (bottom pic). Also, Tree Pipit and family of Stonechat (SOS).

15th September 2019

CISSBURY RING: It turned out to be a productive ringing session, with Spotted Flycatcher and two Reed Warblers the headline birds caught by the time I left. Ringing produced 51 Blackcaps, 11 Chiffchaffs, 18 Goldcrests Birds noted included a juvenile Peregrine, three Siskins, a Tree Pipit, seven Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 15 Meadow Pipits, two Yellowhammers, a Bullfinch, 40 House Martins, 10 Swallows, two Ravens and a Tawny Owl (DKC/VB/FD).

WORTHING : A steady passage early morning with House Martins heading eastbound over Rogate Road, in several pulse which amounted to at least a couple of hundred of birds feeding up en-route. A Chiffchaff in nearby gardens, little moving overhead, Holly Blue, Painted Lady Large and Small White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral were all recorded within the park nearby (NB)

14th September 2019

WORTHING : Good numbers of Meadow Pipits were moving through all morning with just a single Tree Pipit amongst them over Rogate Road, 2 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk also observed whilst a Coal Tit was also vocal nearby. A Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were feeding up and calling in my garden all afternoon and a couple of single Swallows headed south (NB)

TRULEIGH HILL :  There were a minimum of 20 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, many Linnets & a few Meadow Pipits (SOS)

LADYWELL: Ringing produced a Cetti's Warbler, two Whitethroats, 57 Blackcaps, four Willow Warblers and two Goldcrests. Other birds included a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, three Buzzards, a Kingfisher, 40 Swallows, another Cetti's Warbler, a Nuthatch and a Grey Wagtail (JN/MM/CB).

CUCKOO'S CORNER: On my way to a shopping trip I decided to a take a slight detour and walk along the Adur. Being a high tide, there were absolutely no waders around. I could see a huge flock of Gulls circling to the north and then picked out the culprit for the disturbance- a magnificent Osprey which drifted southwards just over my head. It continued southwards and may have been seen by others. To the north two Buzzards and a Red Kite. Not a bad ten minutes (SOS).

13th September 2019

STEEP DOWN: Took the dogs up over Steep Down from Titch Hill, large groups of Swallows and Martins hawking for insects c.200+, nice view of male Wheatear in Autumn plumage , 7 Buzzards and two Goshawks on the soar probably waiting for the dogs to flush Pheasants of which there were many. The usual pair of Kestrels kept us company, a number of Pied Wagtails kept the cattle company  (SOS).

12th September 2019

GORING GAP: Large numbers of Swallow and House Martins moving through and feeding up over the plantation mid-morning, included a few Sand Martins. 4 Whinchat still present and 2 Stonechat along the fence near the rough field area, few Meadow Pipits moving through (NB/GDM)

PATCHING HILL: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Redstart, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Wheatear, 3 Grey Partridges, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Red Kite, Swallow and House Martins moving through mid-morning (RS)

11th September 2019

WIDEWATER: Buoyed up from Shemi’s posting yesterday, I went this morning and saw three Little Egret, four Teal (pic), seven Little Grebe (pic, my first here since the spring) and an Oystercatcher (SOS).

10th September 2019

GORING GAP : 4 Whinchat and a single Wheatear at Goring gap. A few Willow Warblers, Chiff chaffs and Whitethroats dotted about, 1 Med and 1 Common Gull around, 30 Sanderling on beach. 24 Jackdaw moved east 25 Cormorant flew west. Other birds noted included 2 Pheasants nr the rough field, 3 Skylark and both Green and Greater spotted Woodpeckers in the plantation (NB/JD)

Whinchat - Goring Gap (NB)

Whitethroat and Whinchats - Goring Gap (NB)

GORING: Sudden mixed flock of birds in my Goring-by-Sea garden at lunchtime, including 19 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Blue Tits, a Willow Warbler, 3 "Willow-chaff" and a Great Tit - lovely invasion! (SOS).

HIGHDOWN: The morning's highlights at Highdown were three of both Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sand Martin, two House Martins, 27 Swallows, seven Whitethroats, 13 Chiffchaffs, 20 Blackcaps, 10 Meadow Pipits, five Bullfinches, a Red-legged Partridge, three Skylarks, a Goldcrest, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and two Nuthatches (DKC).

female Redstart (DKC)

female Redstart (DKC)

1cy male Redstart (right) and Spotted Flycatcher (DKC)

Spotted Flycatcher (DKC)

LADYWELL: Birds trapped during ringing included 36 Blackcaps, 28 Chiffchaffs, three Goldcrests, four Reed Warblers and a Willow Warbler. A Tawny Owl, six Swallows, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail, a Grey Heron, two Cetti's Warblers and three Buzzards were also noted (MM et al).

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: This morning, at HT, from the Fort, over on the lifeboat railings was a Common Tern in with four or so Sandwich Tern (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: A Meadow Pipit overhead and a Chiffchaff in gardens on Boundary Road (DKC).

8th September 2019

 ADUR ESTUARY: Today on Adur Estuary in Shoreham (plus river bank between Toll Bridge and Railway Bridge ) a few Redshank, 3 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 40 + Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, Turnstones, 10 Lapwing plus 3 ( including juv.) Sandwich Terns (SOS).


CISSBURY RING: A Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 58 Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Whitethroat and three Willow Warblers were processed during ringing. A Tawny Owl, two Ravens, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were also noted (VB/PD).

LADYWELL: Birds processed during ringing included a Kingfisher, a Cetti's Warbler, three Reed Warblers, a Whitethroat, two Garden Warblers, 53 Blackcaps, 32 Chiffchaffs, 14 Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest and a Chaffinch. Other birds included a Sparrowhawk, four Buzzards, a Tawny Owl, three Sand Martins, 10 Swallows, 50 House Martins, an additional Cetti's Warbler, 10 Long-tailed Tits (JN/MM).

STEYNING RIFLE RANGE: Redstart (SOS).

7th September 2019

 ADUR ESTUARY: 41 Ringed Plovers (plus another 4 on the RSPB reserve) and 4 Dunlin between the Toll Bridge and Railway Bridge. The Whimbrel again on the Flood Arch Pool and then 19 Turnstones, 30 Lapwings, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Sanderlings and singles of Redshank, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper, the latter 3 seen in the Houseboat channel from Coronation Green.
Also 13 Sandwich Terns on the RSPB reserve and a Wheatear again just north of the railway bridge (west side) (SOS).

GORING GAP : 1 Whinchat, 10 Wheatears and 25 adult Mediterranean Gulls were around the southern fields today (GDM)

STEEP DOWN: Three Wheatears, an adult male Peregrine, a Willow Warbler, six Chiffchaffs, six Swallows, a Goldcrest, four Meadow Pipits and a Sparrowhawk were the best on offer  (DKC).

6th September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY produced a Kingfisher, seven Dunlin, 49 Ringed Plovers, a Redshank, an Oystercatcher, six Turnstones, three Meadow Pipits, seven Mute Swans and five Little Egrets (DKC). Three Greenshanks (opp Coronation Green) and a Kingfisher (Houseboat Channel) on the RSPB reserve. 42 Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin between the Toll Bridge and Railway Bridge (SOS).

GORING GAP: A Knot fleetingly on the beach was the clear highlight of the morning, while a little bit of vismig included four Yellow Wagtails, seven Grey Wagtails, four Sand Martins, nine Swallows and 19 Meadow Pipits. A female Stonechat, five Wheatears, a Willow Warbler, four Goldcrests, three Chiffchaffs, a Whitethroat and two Blackcaps were 'on the ground'. Three Common Terns and 16 Sandwich Terns flew past. Further waders included 33 Ringed Plovers, 36 Turnstones and an Oystercatcher, while a Little Egret was also present. Other birds included five Mediterranean Gulls, two Common Gulls, two Green Woodpeckers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Rooks and a Jackdaw (DKC).

5th September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: At the Adur, Ringed Plovers had increased since my last visit to 38 birds, and other waders were five Dunlin, three Lapwings and two Turnstones. Just one Little Egret was fishing, and lone Yellow Wagtail and Meadow Pipit flew over, plus three Swallows. One Lesser Black-backed Gull was present (DKC). Lots of birders seemed to be out today! Highlights for me were 42 Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin and a Wheatear (west side) between the Toll Bridge and Railway Bridge and another four Ringed Plovers, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper on the RSPB Reserve (SOS).

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK had a 1cy Yellow-legged Gull on the lake along with two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. By far the highlight of the day was a Pied Flycatcher in the willow at the sewage works end of the stream, where a Cetti's Warbler was also calling. The Mute Swan family was still happily feeding, as was one Grey Heron. A Chiffchaff was the only further passerine migrant (DKC).

Pied Flycatcher at Brooklands Pleasure Park (DKC)

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

Cissbury produced two female Redstarts, a Tree Pipit flying west with a Wheatear (plus another of the latter on the deck), a Grey Wagtail, a trickle of House Martins, Swallows and Meadow Pipits overhead and small numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats in the bushes. A single Lesser Whitethroat, three migrant Goldcrests two Ravens, a Yellowhammer and four Kestrels were among the other birds noted (DKC).

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cissbury Ring (DKC)

Wheatear at Cissbury Ring (DKC)

LADYWELL: Birds processed during ringing included a Kingfisher, 46 Blackcaps, seven Chiffchaff, three Willow Warblers and three Goldcrests. Other birds included a Swift, a Tree Pipit, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, two Buzards, a Tawny Owl, 15 House Martins, 10 Swallows and two Cetti's Warblers (JN/MM).

MILL HILL was very quiet save for flyovers from a Tree Pipit and two Yellow Wagtails, plus five Meadow Pipits and 11 House Martins (DKC).

FINDON GALLOPS: Was rater quiet on my circuit, 2 Ravens, 3 Buzzards were thermaling to the north of the mast. A few Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiff chaffs noted. A few Painted Ladies were still on the wing (NB)

4th September 2019

 ADUR ESTUARY: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper opposite the airport along with two Greenshanks, two Common Sandpipers, 30-ish each of Lapwing, Redshank and Sandwich Tern, three Dunlin and 34 Ringed Plovers (SOS).


GORING GAP: I only managed to pop out for an hour or so late morning, though, and the westerlies seemingly stopped migration dead. The only passerine migrant noted was a Whitethroat. The beach had 28 Oystercatchers and 23 Little Egrets. A Kestrel joined two Common Gulls and a mix of other gulls following the plough. Three Mediterranean Gulls were noted, as were singles of Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, and two Jackdaws (DKC).

3rd September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Greenshanks, three Common Sandpipers, 44 Ringed Plovers, four Dunlin, Wheatear, two Sanderlings, 23 Turnstones, a Sandwich Tern and a Grey Heron (SOS).

1st September 2019

ADUR ESTUARY: Green Sandpiper, two Greenshanks, 40 Redshanks, two Common Sandpipers, seven Ringed Plovers, 30 Turnstones, 20 Lapwings, Oystercatcher, five Grey Herons, eight Little Egrets, hundreds of House Martins and Swallows, Sparrowhawk, four Wheatears, Tree Pipit (SOS).

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: Pied Flycatcher by stream near treatment works, 2cy Yellow-legged Gull early afternoon; also three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Teal and Little Grebe. On beach towards Worthing were 35 Ringed Plovers (SOS).

 CHANCTONBURY RING (on area boundary): Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, two Wheatears, Whinchat, four Spotted Flycatchers, four Blackcaps, two Whitethroats, seven Willow Warblers and 15 Chiffchaffs (SG).

CISSBURY RING: A pleasant stroll around this morning was quite productive, at least in numbers, although nothing particularly unusual.

Two large feeding parties of Willow Warblers with the odd Chiffchaff totalled in excess of 50 birds and two others of Blackcaps can't have been far short of that number. Otherwise, six each of Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher, two smart Lesser Whitethroats, 7 or 8 Whitethroats,
a Tree Creeper, 10 House Martins and a few Swallows, one Wheatear, a Kestrel and five Buzzards made up the rest. Had hoped to find Pied Fly and Yellow Wagtails but no luck there. (CH). Two Tree Pipits, two Whinchats, three Wheatears, 16 Redstarts, 15 Spotted Flycatchers, nine Lesser Whitethroats, nine Whitethroats, 55 Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, 50 Chiffchaffs, seven Willow Warblers and four Yellowhammers (SG).

CISSBURY RING-CHANCTONBURY RING FOOTPATH: Two Lapwings, 20 Meadow Pipits, two Redstarts, eight Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, three Willow Warblers, 150 Goldfinches, 200 Linnets, six Yellowhammers, 14 Corn Buntings (SG).

SHOREHAM PORT: Kingfisher and three Swifts (SOS).