14th September 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: A Hobby, a Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper, 56 Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin, a Redshank, six Oystercatchers, three or more Turnstones, a Mute Swan, four or five Little Egrets, c12 Swallows, three Grey Herons and several LapwingsSOS

CISSBURY RING: Just 4 Redstarts noted on Cissbury with a handful of Chiffchaffs. But 15 species of butterfly including Brown Hairstreak, Adonis Blue & Clouded Yellow. Nick and Claire Oliver

I then spent the morning at Cissbury Ring where the highlight was swarming House Martins, including some landing in the bushes - overall there were well over 400. Another redpoll sp flew over and other highlights included five Redstarts, three Spotted Flycatchers, two Wheatears, a Tree Pipit, two Stonechats, two Marsh Tits, 60 Siskins, six Yellowhammers, two Skylarks, 20 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, two Swallows, a Sparrowhawk and five Jays. David Campbell 

 

FERRING RIFE: A very quick check of just a short section of Ferring Rife first thing produced two Yellow Wagtails, three Little Egrets and two Meadow Pipits.

GORING GAP: 523 Siskins east this morning. Must be the most I've ever seen on the move. Good to see waders using the fields this morning: 141 Turnstones, 36+ Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderlings (+ 14 on beach) also 1 Yellow Wagtail (+ 4 over), 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat and a Weasel. A Hobby flew over. A Kingfisher on a groyne briefly. Ralph Simpson

I was a little late to Ralph's Siskin party as arrived on site (10.30am), but still had a bit of variety. The flock of waders that Ralph counted were still present on arrival but had dispersed soon after. Passage overhead was slow, Meadow Pipits trickled south with some dropping in the ploughed fields, with single figures of Yellow Wagtails. At least 5 Wheatears were around with 3 together by the rough field, 4 Skylarks and a Stonechat on the east side were a site first for a while. The Kestrel was busy doing the rounds, a Little Egret was strangely roosting in the western fields, maybe upset by all the beach goers that were arriving en-masse. Just singles SwallowChiffchaff, Whitethroat, Stock Dove and Mediterranean Gull were noted . Nick Bond



Meadow Pipit/Stonechat and Wheatear (Nick Bond)

WEST WORTHING: A Chiffchaff was around the garden and 40 Swallows were hawking overhead in the evening. David Campbell