31st March 2020

EAST WORTHING: Canada Goose, 26 Chaffinches, five Linnets, Rook and Jackdaw over garden (SOS).

FERRING: Coal Tit at northern end of Sea Lane (GJ).

FERRING RIFE: Highlights this afternoon included c30 House Sparrow, 15 Greenfinch, five Moorhen, a Snipe and a Chiffchaff. Although the biggest surprise came in the form of a male Pheasant at southern end in the horse paddocks (GJ).

GORING-BY-SEA: A Jay flew over the flat from my balcony this morning (GJ).

GORING GAP: At high tide there were 66 Turnstone, six Sanderling and singles of Ringed and Grey Plover roosting on the beach. Offshore there was a couple of distant Gannets and other notables included five Red-breasted Merganser which flew east (GJ).

STEYING ROUNDHILL: Firecrest, four Marsh Tits and Yellowhammer (Bt).

WEST WORTHINGGarden birding today produced two Grey Herons, a Meadow Pipit, 16 Jackdaws and two Stock Doves overhead. Jay and Great Black-backed Gull (surprisingly infrequent here, just a couple of streets back from the beach) were 'lockdown ticks', bringing the total to 40 species (DKC).

30th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Five Oystercatchers and three Mallards (Bt).

DURRINGTON CEMETERY: A singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a Green Woodpecker were highlights in a quick visit (NB)

FINDON: Marsh Tit at West Hill (Bt).

OFFINGTON: Home Birding from Offington today highlights being 6 Greenfinches and 5 Goldfinches on the feeders. Male and Female Blackcaps still present feeding on peanut butter along with the usual Dunnocks , Robins ,Blackbird , Wood Pidgeon , Blue and Great Tits (AM)


GOLDFINCH - OFFINGTON (AM)
 

29th March 2020

DURRINGTON: Red Kite (SOS).

GORING: Sparrowhawk (SOS).

HIGH SALVINGTON: Raven, Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers (SOS).


LAMBLEY'S LANE: BLACK REDSTART (Bt).

SHOREHAM: Mistle Thrush and Sparrowhawk at Buckingham Park (SOS).


WEST HILL: Marsh Tit and Yellowhammer (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: Sparrowhawk through garden (DKC).

28th March 2020

EAST WORTHING: A Rook, a Linnet and 14 Chaffinches flew east over a garden, where Peregrine and Sparrowhawk also seen (SOS).

FINDON: Single Firecrests at The Vale and West Hill (Bt).

SALVINGTON: Another raptor day with at least 3 Red Kites over north east, also a Peregrine shot through north towards High Salvington, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Buzzard over. Late on a Swallow was seen flying east and 2 Jays were in Offington Lane earlier on (NB/NO)

WEST WORTHING: Home birding, rather more half-hearted today with a roaring northerly, produced a Great Spotted Woodpecker - calling out the front and just my third record here - and the Blackcap, while eastbound were a Rook and two Black-headed Gulls. The woodpecker was my 38th species logged since lockdown began on Tuesday (DKC).

27th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: A Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, two Redshanks, two Oystercatchers and 100 Common Gulls (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK (beach): Sandwich Tern, Swallow, 23 Common Scoters, 15 Ringed Plovers and 'some' Great Crested Grebes (SOS).

THE DOWNS (SW of Steyning): Two Red-legged Partridges, two Lapwings, 26 Skylarks, two Mistle Thrushes, a Stonechat, 24 Corn Buntings and four Yellowhammers (Bt).

FERRING RIFE: Four Red-breasted Mergansers and a Great Crested Grebe offshore (Bt).

GORING: Swallow and Red Kite flew over garden, and an additional Red Kite over another garden (SOS).

UPPER BEEDING (borders of our area): MERLIN over River Adur nearby, and Cetti's Warbler there (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: There was quite a movement of Siskins over the garden this morning, with around 30 heading east. Later, the Peregrines were back overhead together, slowly cruising their home range; I'm curious where they're breeding. A Cormorant, a Rook and five Jackdaws flew east, and either the Blackcap was back or another briefly burst into song. On a roof opposite, a Stock Dove was unusual, and the female Sparrowhawk passed by a couple of times (DKC).

Peregrine over West Worthing (DKC)

Cormorant over West Worthing (DKC)

Rook over West Worthing (DKC)

26th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Greenshank still (Bt).

EAST PRESTON: OSPREY flew over (G.Kinnard).

FERRING: 2 Red Kites over garden this morning (CH)

GORING: 4 Red Kites together other garden, followed by a Buzzard later on (DP)

GORING GAP: Eight Red-breasted Mergansers, a Treecreeper, a Pheasant, a Sparrowhawk and a Gannet (Bt).

OFFINGTON: 2 Blackcaps in garden present on and off since late December (AM)

Blackcap (AM)

3 Blackcaps were seen and heard on my dog walk this morning, 1 briefly in song in my garden, 1 at the end if Offington Lane/Rogate Road and one on Offington Avenue. The highlight for me was 4 Red Kites together drifting over north east very low (probably the same birds DP had over Goring), followed by 2 more to the north and another one over garden bringing the day total to 7 (NB)

SOMPTING ABBOTTS: A Firecrest, a Swallow, two Buzzards and four Mistle Thrushes (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: Garden highlights today included two Red Kites low east, a pair of Peregrines (the female carrying prey) and singles of Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Jackdaw, plus two Meadow Pipits (DKC).

Peregrines over West Worthing (DKC)

Peregrine over West Worthing (DKC)

2cy Red Kite over West Worthing (DKC)

WIDEWATER LAGOON: BLACK REDSTART (Bt).

25th March 2020

BROOKLANDS PARK: Today's daily exercise was a three hour sea watch this morning in warm sunshine off Brooklands, totals seen were 7 Gannet, 216 Brent Geese, 4 Dunlin, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 72 Common Scoter, 13 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern and best of the day, a patch tick, 2 juv & 2 adult SPOONBILL (SOS).

FERRING I did another hour or so this morning (0735-0840) and logged: Gannet 2E, Red-Throated Diver one E, Cormorant 3E, Brent Goose 48 E, Common Scoter 34 E,  Sandwich Tern 2E, Black-headed Gull 6 E, Common Gull 4E, Mediterranean Gull one E, Curlew one E. On the sea were four GC Grebes and two Red Breasted Mergansers and on the beach 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Sanderlings, a Ringed Plover and a few Turnstones
A Red Kite flew east over my house at 1020  and another was chased by gulls to the west of Ferring at c.midday (CH)

OFFINGTON: Another Red-legged Partridge seen in a private garden, possibly the same bird seen in Rogate road last week, bizarre that they are appearing more reguarly in peoples people's gardens and in urban surroundings in our town

Red-legged Partridge (Alan Maddocks)

A Red Kite and a Buzzard were seen over Rogate Road, whilst on my early morning dog walk, 2 Chiffchaff and a singing Blackcap were highlights near to my place, butterflies in the garden included my first Orange Tip of the year, Comma, Peacock and Brimstone (NB)

SEA LANE TO GORING GAP: A late afternoon walk for my daily exercise allowance produced 10 House Sparrows in the bushes by Sea Lane Cafe, two adult Great Black-backed Gulls were on the beach between here and Goring Gap. Whilst offshore at Goring Gap a Curlew, two Sandwich Tern and 34 Black-headed Gulls all headed east and on the land were a Greenfinch and two Chaffinches (GJ).

WEST WORTHING: As I stepped out into the garden this morning, a SERIN announced itself as it flew low northeast! Listen on SoundCloud here (best with headphones). If lockdown continues like this, I could get used to it! Later, it turned out to be a good morning for flyover raptors with a low Red Kite my first for the garden, as well as a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk. Two Siskins flew east and a male Blackcap made its way into my mistnet. Further sightings included a Grey Heron, two Cormorants, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Coal Tit, two Jackdaws and four Long-tailed Tits.

Red Kite over West Worthing (DKC)

male Blackcap in West Worthing (DKC)

Buzzard with Carrion Crow over West Worthing (DKC)

Jackdaw (uncommon over the garden) over West Worthing (DKC)

Sparrowhawk over West Worthing (DKC)

WORTHING: Firecrest in garden and male Sparrowhawk (SOS).

24th March 2020

FERRING: My local exercise this morning permitted about an hour's seawatch off Ferring (0820 - 0930) when I logged the following: Gannet one W, Red-throated Diver one E, Brent Goose 55 E, Common Scoter 14E,  Red-breasted Mergansers 2E, Med Gull 2E, Common Gull c.15 E, BH Gull 20 E and best of all, three Little Gulls E - all quite close (CH)

GORING GAP: I decided to walk to Goring Gap on my one daily allowance of exercise and was rewarded with three Firecrests in the Holm Oak Plantation in the NE corner, two of which were in song. Other birds of note included a male Kestrel hunting over the NW corner, three singing Skylarks, two Greenfinches and a male Sparrowhawk which passed overhead. Whilst a brief look offshore produced a Great Crested Grebe and eight Black-headed Gulls flew east (GJ).

SALVINGTON: A Red Kite over Littlehampton road just after mid-day, Buzzard around aswell, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies seen on the wing (NB)

STEYNING HORSESHOE WOODS: Two Firecrests (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: Lockdown birding from the garden wasn't so bad this morning. I caught a female Firecrest and a Goldfinch, both new ringing species for the garden. Sightings included a male Blackcap, a Coal Tit, a Rook and two Jackdaws overhead (DKC).

female Firecrest in West Worthing (DKC)

2cy Goldfinch in West Worthing (DKC)

23rd March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Mute Swans, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Grey Heron, a Little Egret, three Buzzards, a Kestrel and a Chiffchaff (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Totals from a two hour sea watch in warming sunshine off Brooklands this morning were 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 48 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and singles of Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Mediterranean Gull and, best of the day, an Arctic Skua (SS).

GORING GAP: Seawatching from my isolated hiding place produced a Velvet Scoter, two Sandwich Terns, 101 Common Scoters, 16 Bar-tailed Godwits, six Shelducks, four Red-breasted Mergansers, three Red-throated Divers, two Fulmars, six Great Crested Grebes, five Gannets and two Mediterranean Gulls, plus two of both Linnet and Meadow Pipit overhead (DKC).

GORING GREENSWARD: Seawatching c6.15-8.15am produced two Velvet Scoters, two Sandwich Terns, three Whimbrel, three Bar-tailed Godwits, four Shelducks, 77 Common Scoters, four Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Crested Grebe, two Mediterranean Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Red-throated Diver, six Gannets, five Meadow Pipits, plus Ringed Plover and Sanderling (NB).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and four Common Scoters offshore. Two Little Egrets and a Mute Swan on lagoon (Bt).

22nd March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Greenshank, 12 Oysterctchers, Curlew, a Little Egret and two Mallards (Bt).

THE DOWNS (near Steyning): Two Sparrowhawks, two Red Kites, a Kestrel and a Buzzard (SOS).

HIGHDOWN: A walk on Highdown this fine morning featured a Firecrest, a pair of Marsh Tits, four Red Kites, three Buzzards, a Greylag Goose, a Canada Goose, a singing Treecreeper, two Mistle Thrushes, two Kestrels, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Green Woodpeckers, 16 Meadow Pipits, 11 Linnets, three Yellowhammers, a Bullfinch, three Nuthatches, a Blackcap, four Chiffchaffs, 10 Skylarks, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Red-legged Partridge (DKC).

2cy Buzzard at Highdown (DKC)

SALVINGTON: Sparrowhawk and two Buzzards (NB).

SHOREHAM: Great Crested Grebe and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Bt). Two Purple Sandpipers still (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: A Chiffchaff was in the garden and a Buzzard flew over, the latter a home tick (DKC).

21st March 2020

THE DOWNS (SW of Steyning): Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, 10 Skylarks, six Chiffchaffs, 10 Corn Buntings and three Yellowhammers (Bt).

20th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Greenshank still, two Mallards, 13 Oystercatchers, five Turnstones and five Redshanks (Bt). Also three Mediterranean Gulls (SOS).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Female/first-winter male BLACK REDSTART on groynes just to eat mid-morning. Also four male Wheatears and Rock Pipit on beach towards Splashpoint. In the park were a Cetti's Warbler, a Reed Bunting, eight Teal and five Chiffchaffs (SOS). In the afternoon a Mediterranean Gull dropped in on the lake, 14 Teal and a Grey Heron were also here, no further sign of the Black Redstart on the beach, several observers looking (NB)

Mediterranean Gull - Brooklands (NB)

GORING GAP: Six Canada Geese flew east, Curlew, Shoveler, nine Gannets, two Red-throated Divers and at least six Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Also Stonechat and four Mediterranean Gulls (SOS).

SHOREHAM FORT: A Rock Pipit, five Red-throated Divers, six Canada Geese, two Common Scoters and a Gannet (SOS).

STEYNING: Cetti's Warbler and Grey Wagtail (Bt).

19th March 2020

BROOKLANDS PARK: Two Mute Swans, four Teal, four Great Black-backed Gulls, a Kestrel, a Cetti's Warbler, two Goldcrests and a Reed Bunting (NB).
At least 9 Wheatears on the beach near Brooklands this evening.  The sea was very quiet, with only 9 Shovelers east of any interest (MG/KG)

HIGH SALVINGTON: Two Blackcaps and a Nuthatch (Bt).

SALVINGTON: Female Blackcap in my farden off Rogate Road again this morning, a male Greenfich was also singing and displaying near the rec, Coal Tits were vocal in 2 seperate locations and a few Meadow Pipits were moving through, some briefly grounded on the football pitch (NB) Chiffchaff also in garden this morning (NO)

STEYNING: Sparrowhawk and Blackcap still in garden (Bt).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Two male Wheatears (SOS).

WORTHING: Fall of Wheatears along Worthing seafront late afternoon 2+ Bluebird, 6+ off George V avenue (NO)

18th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: A Firecrest, five Mute Swans, four Mallards, three Moorhens, an Oystercatcher, a Mediterranean Gull, 640 Common Gulls, eight Great Black-backed Gulls, 220 Herring Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Cormorants, a Grey Heron, four Little Egrets, a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, a Kestrel, two Skylarks, a Chiffchaff, nine Linnets and a Reed Bunting (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Two Mute Swans, two Teal, a Cetti's Warbler and a Chiffchaff (NB).

FERRING BEACH: Five Turnstones (Bt).

GORING GAP: Three Wheatears (MH/LH).

LANCING: Wheatear on beach; also Fulmar, Whimbrel and five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, plus passage of Meadow Pipits (SOS).

SALVINGTON: Red-legged Partridge and six Meadow Pipits (NB).

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, two Oystercatchers, eight Great Black-backed Gulls,

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Male Wheatear on groyne at east end and Red-breasted Merganser flew over (SOS). Four Red-breasted Mergansers, two Little Grebes, two Redshanks, three Mute Swans and three Little Egrets (Bt).

17th March 2020

CISSBURY RING: Three Yellowhammers (Bt).

FERRING RIFE: Kingfisher (SOS).

GORING: Two Sparrowhawks over garden (SOS).

SHOREHAM: Blackcap in garden (SOS).

STEYNING: Firecrest still in garden (SOS).

16th March 2020

BEEDING HILL: Two Wheatears and seven Buzzards at Anchor Bottom (Bt).

BROOKLANDS BEACH: 10 Wheatear on rock groynes (SS)

GORING GAPWhen I arrived four Mediterranean Gulls were among the Black-headed Gulls on the greensward, 35 Turnstones and 15 Sanderlings were on the beach. Three Teal, five Red-breasted Mergansers and a single Great Crested Grebe were on the sea. There was not much movement offshore, just one Brent Goose and three Shelducks flying west. There was little movement overhead either with the exception of a few Meadow Pipits over and one Rock Pipit flying west.  The main action was on the ground with eight Wheatears in the fields then four more arriving on the beach. A Chiffchaff was singing in the weedy field and later another was singing from the top of a groyne. Both Chiffchaffs flew off north (RS)
This afternoon just 3 Wheatears were around in the northern fields, a Red Kite drifted over to the north and 2 Sparrowhawks were up together (NB)


Wheatear - Goring (DM)


LANCING: Four Wheatears on groynes towards Widewater (SOS).

PATCHING: Red Kite over the A27 (@charmouthbirder via twitter)

SHOREHAM: Wheatear (Bt).

WIDEWATER: 4 Wheatear between here and Lancing beach (RF)

WORTHING: My first Brimstone butterfly of year along the A27 opposite Ivydore Avenue, Peacock on the wing in Dominion Road (NB) 

WORTHING BEACH: 3 Wheatear at 8.10am (RI) 5 at Marine Gardens (GT)

15th March 2020

MILL HILL: Wheatear in ploughed field just west of road (SOS).

PATCHING: A single 'SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF' still at the sewage works; two Chiffchaffs and two Grey Wagtails also here (RI)

STEYNING: Firecrest and Blackcap in garden (SOS).

14th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Whimbrel, Mute Swan, 17 Oystercatchers and a Redshank (Bt). Also Greenshank (SOS).

THE DOWNS (between Steyning and Lancing Ring): 'Decent numbers' of Corn Buntings, 'a few' Buzzards, two Kestrels, a couple of small groups of Linnets, a handful of Meadow Pipits, three Yellowhammers, and some singing Skylarks (SOS).

GORING: Red Kite north (SOS).

GORING GAP: Two White Wagtails reported (Bt).

LANCING: Two Common Scoters, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, four Oystercatchers, Razorbill and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Bt).

MILL HILL: Red Kite, Chiffchaff, Peregrine, Buzzard and Kestrel (SOS).

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: No sign of any Purple Sandpipers but two Turnstones (SOS).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Female Red-breasted Merganser (SOS).

WORTHING PIER: Six Turnstones (SOS).

13th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: MERLIN. Also Whimbrel and Greenshank still, two Mediterranean Gulls, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (SOS).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Cetti's Warbler still (SOS).

FERRING RIFE: A short walk along Ferring Rife this morning was quiet, though an adult male Sparrowhawk almost hitting me in the face was quite a thrill. Other than that, 113 Meadow Pipits seemed to mostly involve birds arriving off the sea and a Reed Bunting was calling. A pale Buzzard flew high overhead and a Kestrel was hunting. Nine Moorhens were picking around the edges and singles of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers announced themselves (DKC).

Collared Dove (DKC)

GORING GAP: No sign of yesterdays Wheatears, the main feature was the continuous arrival of Meadow  Pipits heading north. The Kestrel was still around by the rough field, a few Mediterranean Gulls were in the roost (NB)

Skylark - Tricia Ryder

LANCING: Three Sparrowhawks (SOS).

SHOREHAM: c130 Meadow Pipits in off sea 10.30-11.30am (SOS).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Four Red-breasted Mergansers, two Mute Swans, two Mallards and two Little Egrets (Bt).

12th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: 1,500 Common Gulls (SOS).

GORING GAP: The first Wheatear reported for the area was found this morning, shortly followed by a second bird near the rough field (male and a female) The male was last seen in the northern fields, the brisk westerly made viewing difficult and the bird was often hunckered down trying to shelter. A few Meadow Pipits were moving in off and a adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the gull roost briefly (NB/GDM)


male Wheatear at Goring Gap (NB)

11th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Common Sandpiper still, four Mute Swans, five Mallards, two Oystercatchers, a Redshank, a Little Egret, four Grey Herons, a Buzzard, a Kestrel, a Chiffchaff and two Redwings (Bt). Also Peregrine, Brent Goose, two Curlews, Greenshank still and at least three Snipe (SOS).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting (SOS).

LANCING: Shelduck, three Kittiwakes and a Lesser Black-backed Gull offshore (Bt).

PATCHING: 2 Red Kites were over the A27 just past the Patching turn off driving east towards Worthing (NB)

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Purple Sandpiper still opposite fort (SOS). Also six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 11 Turnstones, a Grey Wagtail, 18 Oystercatchers and five Meadow Pipits (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: 1,250 Redwing calls were logged overnight 9.38pm-5.49am, almost all in seven hour period to 4.38am (DKC).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Eight Red-breasted Mergansers (SOS). Also a Chiffchaff, three Meadow Pipits, two Little Egrets and two Mute Swans (Bt).

10th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Whimbrel, Greenshank and Curlew still; Cetti's Warbler by Dogs Trust, three Oystercatchers, 10 Snipe, c30 Redshanks, 19 Teal, five Turnstones, 25 Redshanks and a Grey Wagtail (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: Continuous Redwings calling overhead after dark (DKC).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Nine Red-breasted Mergansers and two Turnstones (SOS).

9th March 2020

THE DOWNS (SW of Steyning): A Grey Partridge, two Ravens, four Red Kites, six Buzzards, three Kestrels, Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Stonechat, a Chiffchaff and three Lapwings (Bt).

GORING GAP: A GREAT NORTHERN DIVER was picked up offshore, flying west before droppong down on the sea but failed to relocate on choppy seas, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, eight Great Black-backed Gulls, eight Meadow Pipits, six Skylarks, 30 Pied Wagtails, (NB). A glance at Goring Gap first thing produced two westbound Redshanks flying rather high and purposefully, two Mediterranean Gulls the other way, four Great Black-backed Gulls squabbling over a dogfish, and two Meadow Pipits (DKC).

PATCHING: two Canada Geese, two Mallards and a Moorhen were on the pond. The sewage works still held the two 'SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS', both appearing in body moult, along with at least seven nominate Chiffchaffs, a Treecreeper, a Grey Wagtail, a Redwing and flyover Lapwing and Meadow Pipit (DKC).

Siberian Chiffchaff at Patching (DKC)
SALVINGTON: Chiffchaff singing in Durrington rec off Rogate Road (NB).

WEST WORTHING: I caught a male Blackcap in the garden (along with three Robins and a House Sparrow), and a Grey Wagtail was heard again along Rogate Road (DKC).

2cy male Blackcap in West Worthing (DKC)

female House Sparrow in West Worthing (DKC)

8th March 2020

BROOKLANDS PARK: Two Cetti's Warblers and a Chiffchaff (Bt).

SOUTHWICK HILL: c50 Fieldfares on NE side (SOS).

STEYNING: Cetti's Warbler, 12 Teal, two Coots, two Yellowhammers, two Redwings, Mistle Thrush and two Chiffchaffs (Bt).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Four Red-breasted Mergansers (Bt).

7th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: 2cy CASPIAN GULL and two adult Mediterranean Gulls this evening (SOS). Also Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers and 12 Redshanks (Bt).

CISSBURY RING: The first ringing at Cissbury for what seems like an age was very enjoyable this morning, with Val and Pete. Catches included two Marsh Tits - a retrap and a new bird, as well as a couple of Redwings (with one or two additional small groups overhead) and Greenfinches, a retrap Firecrest, a Bullfinch and a Chiffchaff. Sightings included two Woodcocks flushed, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Red Kite, a Yellowhammer, two Ravens, four Meadow Pipits overhead and two Mallards (a rarity for the site) (DKC).

Marsh Tit (DKC)

Redwing (DKC)

Dunnock (DKC)

Greenfinch (DKC)

HIGH SALVINGTON: Four Blackcaps (Bt).

GORING GAP: 10 LMediterranean Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Meadow Pipits and 10 Skylarks (Bt).

SALVINGTON: Blackcap still in garden (NB).

WEST TARRING: Chiffchaff (Bt).

6th March 2020

BRAMBER BROOKS: Two Cetti's Warblers and a singing Chiffchaff (DKC).

GORING GAP: Three Red-breasted Mergansers, a Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 15 Oystercatchers, eight Turnstones, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 10 Dunlin, three Mediterranean Gulls, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a Stonechat and six Skylarks (Bt).

HIGH SALVINGTON: Two Blackcaps (Bt).

KINGSTON GORSE: Two Mediterranean Gulls (Bt).

WORTHING: Chiffchaffs on Goring Road and Lyndhurst Road (SOS). Also Sparrowhawk (Bt).

4th March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Adult Mediterranean Gull, three Grey Plovers and four Dunlin (Bt).

FERRING: Blackcap in garden (Bt).

GORING GAP: A short visit this afternoon delivered four Mediterranean Gulls, five Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 132 Common Gulls, c30 Dunlin and 11 Grey Plovers (DKC).

SALVINGTON: Blackcap still in garden (NB).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Six Mediterranean Gulls and a Kingfisher (SOS).

3rd March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Eight Mute Swans, two Mallards, six Collared Doves, a Moorhen, three Lapwings, six Redshanks, four Mediterranean Gulls, 500 Common Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Grey Heron, two Buzzards, a Kestrel, a Green Woodpecker, a Skylark, three Stonechats and a Meadow Pipit (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Sandwich Tern flew east offshore. Also three Stonechats, four Meadow Pipits, a female Sparrowhawk, two Cetti's Warblers, a Chiffchaff and 16 Teal (SOS).

CISSBURY RING: Four Stonechats included a cavorting pair and several of the 10 Yellowhammers noted were in song. Three Mistle Thrushes were also in voice and other birds included a Firecrest, a Bullfinch, a Treecreeper and six Meadow Pipits (DKC).

male Yellowhammer at Cissbury Ring (DKC)

GORING GAP: Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 300 Common Gulls, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, eight Skylarks and six Linnets (NB).

PATCHING: A Great Crested Grebe and two Moorhens on pond; also Sparrowhawk, eight Redwings and a Mistle Thrush (NB).

SALVINGTON: Blackcap still in garden (Bt).

SHOREHAM: Blackcap still in garden (Bt).

SPLASHPOINT: Redwing flew over (SOS).

WEST WORTHING: A Grey Wagtail was along Rowlands Road (DKC).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Four Red-breasted Mergansers, a Little Egret and a Redshank (SOS).

2nd March 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Whimbrel and an Egyptian Goose; also 20 Oystercatchers, 12 Teal and 12 Redshanks (SOS).

GORING GAP: A quick look on a rising tide, the biggest rarity was the sunshine. Nice to see 27 Grey Plover on the beach, along with 71 Turnstone within a number of Oystercatcher, Sanderling and Dunlin. Still a few (32) Mediterranean Gulls around, the gulls were certainly jittery moving between the roost fields and the sea, with at least 1,000 Common Gull. Nothing noted on the sea or moving offshore (NB).
An hour this morning produced 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 21 Grey Plovers, around 50 Turnstones and 60 Dunlin, 13 Oystercatchers, 15 Sanderlings, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and the first three westbound Meadow Pipits of the spring (DKC).
Mediterranean Gull numbers increased in the afternoon with 43 present (40 adults) (GDM).

SALVINGTON: A female Blackcap appeared in my garden this morning, last sighting was 2 weeks ago; also Sparrowhawk (NB)
2 Red Kites west over lower Salvington at lunchtime (RI)

SHOREHAM: Blackcap at Rosemary Drive (Bt).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Five Red-breasted Mergansers (SOS).

WORTHING: Five Blackcaps in garden (Bt). At least three Redwings and two Blackbirds over pre-dawn (SOS).

1st March 2020

BROOKLANDS PARK: A late afternoon visit produced the drake Pochard, a singing Cetti's Warbler, an adult Mediterranean Gull, three Little Grebes, 15 Teal and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (DKC).

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Four Red-breasted Mergansers and a Little Grebe (Bt).