25th May 2020

THE DOWNS: A walk around the downs north of Sompting, around Steep Down and Titch Hill, included an encounter with the QUAIL found by the Steep Down north path the previous day, which gave an unexpected and rather good flight view, as well as a few bursts of song. Just as good was a brood of nine Shelducks, with both parents, on the Lychpole Farm 'wetland'. A rather late Yellow Wagtail called as it flew over and two Mistle Thrushes rattled as they flew by. 10 Corn Buntings included several in song and other birds included a Bullfinch, a singing Meadow Pipit, a Stonechat, three Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and good numbers of Whitethroats and Skylarks. A Cormorant flew over.

female Shelduck with young near Lychpole Farm

female Shelduck with young near Lychpole Farm; not quite enough room for no.9!

adult male Kestrel along Lambley's Lane

David Campbell