31st January 2021

GORING BEACH: 09.00 - 11.00 Movement trailing off:- Red-throated Diver 16W, 2E, 4 on sea Great-crested Grebe 8 o,/s, Gannet 32E ,3W Common Scoter 1W, Red-breasted Merganser 1W 2E, Kittiwake 2E Guillemot 1E, Razorbill 3W, Auk sp 8E 23W. Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: seawatch 7.55 - 8.50am Black-throated Diver 1e close @8.02, Red- throated Divers 12 e 5 w, Wigeon 1w, Fulmar 1e, Kittiwake 16e, Great Black-backed Gull 5e, auk sp (approx 5k) passage had mainly dried up when I left. Any auks that were identifiable were all Razorbill, Gannet c200 e. Great-crested Grebe 20, Red-breasted Mergansers x8 offshore. Nick Bond

30th January 2021

GORING: Adult male Sparrowhawk in garden. Derek Bone via SOS

MARINE GARDENS: 22 Pintails, a Curlew, two Shovelers, a Common Scoter, 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Kittiwakes, 91 auks, 49 Gannets and three Great Crested Grebes offshore 9.42-11.42am. David Campbell

WORTHING: Peregrine flew over Broadwater/East Worthing with prey. Zoe Williams via SOS

29th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: A count of 42 Turnstones feeding in a single flock at Ropetackle was the most I've seen for some time. A total of about 70 Lapwings in two approximately equal sized flocks, one just north of the Toll Bridge, the other in the saltmarsh south of the coast road. One Grey Plover and the usual scattering of Redshanks and Oystercatchers. A flock of maybe 30 Linnets. A Song Thrush and a Great Tit singing. Steve Gilbert via SOS

BEEDING HILL: c180 Corn Buntings, a Red Kite, two Ravens, a Fieldfare and two Yellowhammers. Richard Fairbank via SOS

GORING: Male Sparrowhawk killed a House Sparrow in a garden. John Feest via SOS

MARINE GARDENS: A Fulmar, seven Wigeon, a Red-breasted Merganser, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, nine Kittiwakes, 13 Gannets, two Guillemots, 49 auk sp and 22 Red-throated Divers offshore. David Campbell

28th January 2021

GORING BEACH: Few species on a watch from 09.30 to 11.30am today, but more Kittiwakes than usual:- Red-throated Diver 1W only Gannet 36W 1E Shelduck 7W Kittiwake 203W,16E Razorbill 7W Auk sp. 202W 35W & Yet again, no passerines or passing waders. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: this morning, 154 Dunlin on the roost. Offshore were 50 hunting Gannets, 25 Razorbills west, 50+ auk sp. W , 2 Kittiwakes W,  5 Common Scoter E. Richard Ives

SALVINGTON: 2 Sparrowhawks over Rogate Road. Nick Bond 

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Rather slim pickings around the Fort this afternoon. A single Turnstone noted, and a Rock Pipit was near the Coast Watch station. Just offshore a flock of about 70 Herring Gulls was feeding, along with a few Common Gulls. During a few minutes looking out to sea an auk, probably a Razorbill, flew E and a Brent Goose flew W. Steve Gilbert via SOS

27th January 2021

GORING GAP: on beach 155 Sanderlings, c70 Dunlins, 18 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshanks. Westward movement while visibility was good included 33 Gannets, 4 Kittiwakes, 1 Fulmar, 10 Red-throated Divers and 6 identifiable Razorbills. Hundreds of auk sp. west very distantly. 5 Mediterranean Gulls in the fields. Ralph Simpson

26th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull.

GORING: BLACK-THROATED DIVER flew west; also 22 Red-throated Divers, 252 Gannets, eight Great Crested Grebes, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Common Scoters, a Red-breasted Merganser, two Kittiwakes, two Oystercatchers and 19 auks 8.50-11.05am. Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: Six Red-breasted Mergansers, 15 Red-throated Divers, 43 Gannets, five Kittiwakes, 58 Great Crested Grebes and 358 auks in a 47-minute seawatch. David Campbell

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Purple Sandpiper still on wooden jetty. Ralph Simpson via SOS

25th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: This time mid-afternoon to dusk. Lapwings were widely dispersed around the river, my best count between the flyover and the railway being 96 birds. Three Grey Plovers. Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Dunlins and Ringed Plovers all feeding, and following some disturbance a mixed flock of about 60 of the last two species flew up and down in tight formation. Two Little Egrets. A male Stonechat on the airport perimeter fence. At New Salts Farm as it began to get dark a flock of about 20 Meadow Pipits flew in, but the regular Barn Owl had not shown up when I left at 4.50pm. Steve Gilbert via SOS

FERRING RIFE:  2 Snipe, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Richard Ives

GORING GAP: There were 25 Red throated Divers W, 10 Great Crested Grebes offshore, 3 Gannets, 100’s of distant auks moving west. Over 50 Sanderlings were on just one segment of the shore a very impressive sight as they clockworked their way up and down the beach following the waves. Richard Ives

2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 210 Sanderlings, and the 'polish' ringed Black-headed Gull (T4T2) again. Garry Messenbird

LANCING: Red Kite flew NW over A27. Paul James
 

MARINE GARDENS: Four Shelducks, 31 Red-throated Divers, 12 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-breasted Merganser, two Mediterranean Gulls and three Ringed Plovers off the beach. David Campbell 

A brief visit at a busy time produced a Coal Tit and 2 Goldcrests. Ken Hearne

24th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Adult Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, four Grey Plovers, 33 Ringed Plovers, 24 Dunlin and Barn Owl.

GORING: LONG-TAILED DUCK flew west 8.50-10.40am; also three Common Scoters, four Red-throated Divers, 60 Gannets, a Red-breasted Merganser, 60 Dunlin, a Razorbill and 58 auk sp flew past. Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: Three Dark-bellied Brent Geese, three Wigeon, a Red-throated Diver, two Mediterranean Gulls, nine Kittiwakes, 88 Gannets, six Red-breasted Mergansers and 175 auk sp flew past 7.48-9.48am. David Campbell

WORTHING: Two Blackcaps in garden. Allan Maddocks via SOS

23rd January 2021

GORING BEACH: 09.15 - 11.00;- Red-throated Diver 90W (1 flock of 30), Gannet 23W 23E, Common Scoter 5W, Great-crested Grebe 2E 7 o/s, Red-breasted Merganser 2E only, Arctic Skua 1W around 10.15, juvenile; Oystercatcher 1E, Sanderling 3W, Snipe 1E (very unusual), Kittiwake 4W, Brent Goose 5E, and auk sp 2230E 330W. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: 8.15am - 9.30am 7 Red throated Divers, 25 Red-breasted Mergansers, 20 Great Crested Grebes, 30c Gannets way offshore. Many auks moving west but too far off for count and sp. 185 Sanderling on beach, 70 Turnstone, 3 Grey Plover, 50 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls on sea. A Sparrowhawk flew over the sw roost field. Nick Bond

Sanderling- ringed individual last seen at the gap in March 2018, was rung originally by the Farlington ringing group in Hampshire (Nick Bond)

SALVINGTON: Male Blackcap again in my garden, the real surprise was a Green Woodpecker that flew east through Durrington rec. Nick Bond

WEST WORTHING: Raven flew east over my garden Boundary Road at 12.18pm and a male Blackcap trapped and ringed. Fulmar west past Marine Gardens this morning; also Shelduck, five Red-breasted Mergansers, 21 Oystercatchers, two Oystercatchers, a Mediterranean Gull, 35 Red-throated Divers, 680 auk sp and 56 Gannets. David Campbell

22nd January 2021

SALVINGTON: A male Blackcap was again visiting my feedin station in Rogate Road. Nick Bond

21st January 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: The drake POCHARD was still present on the main lake

SALVINGTON: A male Blackcap was again on my feeding station, a Coal Tit, a Sparrowhawk and a Redwing were also noted. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: 2 Purple Sandpipers were again in the harbour on the jetty. Bernie Forbes

The Black Redstart still at the sailing club, a few gulls were on the riverbank from here, a Common Gull and several Greater Black-backed Gulls included 2 ringed individuals, Details below. (Nick Bond)

Greater Black-backed Gulls 

(Black ring 628 and white ring P33D) both belong to the Portland Harbour ringing scheme in Dorset. It was the first time P33D has been recorded away from Portland whereas 628 has been seen in the Axe Estuary, Devon and Boulogne, France since 2018. (Nick Bond)

20th January 2021

GORING GAP: 35 Grey Plovers, 36 Ringed Plovers, 100+ Sanderling, 200+ Dunlins, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 41 Greater-black backed Gulls. Garry Messenbird

19th January 2021

GORING GAP: In the high tide roost at Goring Gap was 16 Ringed Plovers, 15 Turnstones, 67 Sanderling and 226 Dunlin. Gulls were present in good numbers and included 23 Black-headed Gulls, three Common Gulls, 186 Herring Gulls, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Also, six Skylarks, two Pied Wagtails, 16 Starlings and 19 Carrion Crows. Gareth James

SHOREHAM: The Black Redstart was still by the sailing club and a adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the Adur nearby. There was no sign of yesterday's Iceland Gull unfortunately. Various

18th January 2021

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: An ICELAND GULL was found late this afternoon on the East arm of the harbour. Shoreham Birding Facebook Group

17th January 2021

GORING: Highlights from a 2 hour seawatch off Goring beach this morning:- Fulmar 1W (my 1st of year), Red-throated Diver 15W, 5E, Razorbill 6W, Auk sp. 407W, 64E - & not a lot else (nothing on the sea, neither grebe nor merg). Dave Smith

SALVINGTON: The Grey Wagtail flew over Rogate Road and a Green Woodecker was 'yaffling' nearby. A Firecrest was heard but not seen on Offington Lane. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM: A Barn Owl out hunting the dogs trust fields, apparently present the last few evenings, viewed from New Salts Road. Shoreham Birding Facebook group

16th January 2021

GORING GAP: Early afternoon, a 1st-winter CASPIAN GULL was found by GDM in the roost field. It was showing close to the road before a jogger decided to run across the field which resulted in all birds being flushed. After a short period of time it returned but settled at a further distance allowing for more distant views. Also noted was an adult Lesser Black-backed and Mediterranean Gull, two Redshanks, 20 Ringed Plovers, c100 Sanderlings mixed in with a few Dunlin.  Garry Messenbird, Gareth James, Nick Bond

1w Caspian Gull, Goring Gap (Gareth James)

15th January 2021

CISSBURY RING: A DARTFORD WARBLER at the South end of the ring and a Firecrest on the return path at Worthing golf club. Andy Ashdown

GORING: Seawatching off Goring beach 09.00 - 11.15 Black-throated Diver 1W, Red-throated Diver 9W 1E, Razorbill 29 W, auk sp 113W 6E, Red-breasted Mergansers 9W 4E. Dave Smith

SHOREHAM: The DARTFORD WARBLER still on the beach, one Black Redstart at the sailing club and a Purple Sandpiper on the jetty. 

STEYNING: Male Blackcap in garden. Peter Chase

WEST WORTHING: Three Redwings flew over Heene Cemetery. Male Blackcap trapped and ringed in garden and a Peregrine flew over. David Campbell

13th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Curlew and Greenshank on saltings.

WIDEWATER LAGOON: 113 Dunlin, 37 Ringed Plovers, Kingfisher, five Turnstones, a Mute Swan and eight Little Grebes.

12th January 2021

SALVINGTON: 5 Redwing flew over Rogate Road early on followed by a Buzzard over north. Nick Bond 

SHOREHAM: The DARTFORD WARBLER still on the beach

11th January 2021

GORING GAP: 1st-winter CASPIAN GULL in SW field plus 8 Mediterranean Gulls. Garry Messenbird

GORING: Male Peregrine flew west at 11am. Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: Walking through Marine Gardens produced three Redwings, Sparrowhawk, a Grey Wagtail, two Goldcrests and a Coal Tit. I then seawatched from the shelter, seeing two Common Scoters, six Red-breasted Mergansers, five Great Crested Grebes, a Ringed Plover, 18 Razorbills, 326 distant auks, eight Kittiwakes, three Mediterranean Gulls, eight Red-throated Divers and 73 Gannets. David Campbell

RIVER ADUR: GOOSANDER flew south past cement works.

SALVINGTON: Male Blackcap again in garden on Rogate Road, male Sparrowhawk also visited feeding station briefly. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM: A bike ride via the Ferry Bridge and the Fort this afternoon yielded one Curlew, one Oystercatcher and six Ringed Plovers on the Adur viewed from the bridge, along with a Little Egret, two Grey Herons and two Mute Swans. Fairly quiet at the Fort, with a few Turnstones on the beach and about 15 Common Gulls patrolling just offshore. A Black Redstart in female-type plumage in the yacht club compound. Steve Gilbert via SOS

10th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Downslink path near A27 bridge over Adur. Stonechats, Dunnocks, Redwing, Lapwings, Little Egret and a very obliging Kingfisher who sat for some time till we had to tear ourselves away before we turned into icicles. Jen Hanbury via SOS

ANGMERING: Female Blackcap again in garden on Downs Way. Garry Messenbird

CISSBURY RING: DARTFORD WARBLER in gorse in SW corner. Nick Oliver

GORING: Three GOOSANDERS flew west and the SLAVONIAN GREBE was seen on the sea off Alinora Avenue. Dave Smith

FERRING: Today was reasonably productive along the top end of the Rife (i.e footbridge northwards) with singles of Teal (first this winter here), Little Grebe, Kingfisher and Grey and Pied Wagtails. The gull flock in the paddocks include one Mediterranean (unusual here) and two Commons. At home a female Blackcap spent long periods eating apple halves that I had 'spiked' on a shrub in the garden. Clive Hope

MARINE GARDENS:  The beach at Marine Gardens produced a Mute Swan, two Mallards, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, four Red-breasted Mergansers, three Great Crested Grebes, nine Oystercatchers, a Sanderling, three Ringed Plovers and two Red-throated Divers. David Campbell

SALVINGTON: Male and female Blackcap again in my garden on Rogate Road. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM: DARTFORD WARBLER still on beach near Shingle Road. J Crawford via SOS

9th January 2021

ANGMERING: A female Blackcap was in gardens on Downs Way, a Red Kite drifted over ESE. Garry Messenbird

GORING GAP: Seawatching produced a Red-throated Diver W, Brent Geese 28E 7E, ten Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. On the beach was two Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover, 22 Turnstones, a Redshank plus a few each of Dunlin, Sanderling and Oystercatcher. A Stonechat was on the groynes. Dave Smith

LYCHPOLE BOTTOM AREA: A circular walk from the Titch Hill around to No Man's Land and back over New Hill Barn produced: Seven Stock Doves, a Red Kite, a Kestrel, 28 Skylarks, a Goldcrest, 161 Starlings, a Song Thrush, 12 Redwings, 23 Blackbirds, four Fieldfares, a Stonechat, three Pied Wagtails, 29 Meadow Pipits, 32 Chaffinches, a Greenfinch, 17 Linnets, 35 Goldfinches and three Reed Buntings. Gareth James

MARINE GARDENS: Three Shelducks, 11 Wigeon, 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, nine Red-breasted Mergansers, two Red-throated Divers, three Gannets, three Great Crested Grebes, two Mediterranean Gulls, four Sanderling, a Ringed Plover, six Oystercatchers and 255 auk sp. David Campbell

SALVINGTON: A male and female Blackcap returned to my feeding station approximately 2 weeks later than previous years. 3 Redwing and a Greater-spotted Woodpecker were in Durrington rec. Nick Bond

Blackcap (Nick Bond)

SHOREHAM: The Dartford Warbler and 2 Black Redstarts were still around today at the beach and sailing club. Various

SOUTHWICK HILL: Kestrel, two Green Woodpeckers, Raven, Mistle Thrush, three Song Thrushes and a Bullfinch. Paul James

8th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: This morning's bike ride around the lower Adur brought a tally of nine wader species. Between the flyover and the railway bridge there were 48 Ringed Plovers, four Dunlins, two Grey Plovers, a scattering of Redshanks and about 20 Lapwings, with a further 50 of the latter on the airfield. Some Turnstones and Oystercatchersbetween the railway and the coast road. The total was made up by the regular Greenshank and a couple of Snipe south of the road, where there were some more Dunlins and Ringed Plovers. Two Little Egrets. A non-mute Mute Swan, alone in the middle of the river, was making a repeated gruff two syllable call. Steve Gilbert via SOS

ADUR ESTUARY TO CEMENT WORKS: A walk from Shoreham to Dacre Gardens footbridge and back on both sides of the river produced five Dunlin, 34 Ringed Plover and two Grey Plover between the railway line and Tollbridge. Around 90 Lapwing were unusually spread out all along the riverbank rather than clustered in one area. There were hundreds of Redwing feeding on the scrub berries alongside the river but just two Fieldfare seen. Four Song Thrush also present, together with five Reed Buntings and several Meadow Pipits. We flushed a Snipe from a ditch and noted two Peregrines on the Cement Works chimney. A female Blackcap was feeding in a tree by the Tollbridge. Jen Holter via SOS

FERRING RIFE: Water Rail and Little Grebe. Gareth James

GORING BEACH: SLAVONIAN GREBE again off Alinora Avenue. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: Waders this morning included 28 Oystercatchers, five Grey Plovers, 21 Ringed Plovers, 28 Turnstones, 42 Sanderling, 142 Dunlin and a Redshank. Offshore six Brent Geese flew east and there was eight Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea. In the roost field was 11 Skylarks and the two Stonechats were still feeding along the road edge. Gareth James

SHOREHAM BEACH: DARTFORD WARBLER still in scrub along beach to east of first roundabout along Old Fort Road. The Black Redstart was still at Shoreham Sailing Club. In the harbour there was a Razorbill and offshore 50 Brent Geese flew east. Richard Ives

Late morning/early afternoon, following a shopping foray, a flock of 35 Brent Goose flew E over the sea and a lone adult Mute Swan swam E. Thanks to birders ahead of us we saw very well the DARTFORD WARBLER, in and out of vegetation, on the ground itself, its red eye and eye ring and vinous underparts ageing it as adult male, its breast and belly with white central streak, legs and feet yellow in the sun, lovely, and then we saw the Black Redstart at the yacht club. Alan Kitson via SOS

SOMPTING: Barn Owl this evening. Mike Galtry

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Two Grey Wagtails. Shemi via SOS

7th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: After shopping I visited here this morning, it was low tide. On the saltings from the glass bridge and from the house boats was a roost of 50 Teal, a lone Curlew feeding in the spartina, a Greenshank under the Dog Trust (thanks to Tim and Jen Holter for this), three Snipe asleep in the sun, while opposite the airport were 30 Ringed Plover and single Dunlin, Grey Plover and Brent Goose; a few Redshank were throughout. Alan Kitson via SOS

GORING GAP: Offshore this morning was 36 Red-breasted Mergansers and 10 Great Crested Grebes. On the beach was c100 Dunlin, eight Grey Plovers, 11 Oystercatchers, four Turnstone and eight Sanderling. The fields held two Stonechats and three Pied Wagtails. Gareth James 

Two Knot flew west along the tideline. Richard Ives

Pied Wagtail and Stonechat (Nick Bond)

MARINE GARDENS: SLAVONIAN GREBE offshore still. Also 10 Great Crested Grebes and c30 Red-breasted Mergansers. 2 Red-throated Divers flew east. Nick Bond/Gareth James

PATCHING POND: Drake TUFTED DUCK, five Mallards, two Coots and five Black-headed Gulls. 

SHOREHAM: Another walk along Shoreham Beach this morning with a heavy overnight frost that had frozen the shingle in places. A flat calm sea that initially looked birdless scanning with binoculars but using the scope was more productive with 20 Common Scoter and three Brent Geese E, and two Wigeon, three Great Crested Grebe and a single Red-throated Diver on the sea. At least 20 Razorbill were in two tight flocks frequently diving although only visible using a scope. The Dartford Warbler once again eluded me, my 4th visit and it is still keeping its head down, some compensation in the way of seven male Greenfinch feeding in the same area. The harbour area revealed very little although the Black Redstart was very confiding in the Sailing Club compound. Bernie Forbes via SOS

         Large numbers of Gannets and Razorbills, a few Guillemot and a flotilla of 40+ Cormorants off Shoreham on a very crisp, very white morning. DARTFORD WARBLER still there, same location, where I also flushed a Snipe of all things. Graeme Charles

6th January 2021

ANGMERING DECOY PONDS: A circular walk from Angmering to the Decoy Ponds (a new location for me) produced a vocal pair of Pergerines resting in an arable field. A very high count of 171 Mallards (may include some deliberately released birds) on the decoy ponds along with six Moorhens. The woodland and hedgerows produced 10 Long-tailed Tits, two Goldcrests, two Song Thrushes, 11 Redwings, two Chaffinches and seven Goldfinches. Other birds included 28 Meadow Pipits and a Stonechat. Gareth James

BOTOLPHS: Wigeon, 120+ Redwings and six Fieldfares. 

MARINE GARDENS: A walk around Marine Gardens produced a male Blackcap and a Grey Wagtail. I then looked at the sea from the adjacent beach, logging 31 Red-breasted Mergansers, four Great Crested Grebes, a Sanderling, a Ringed Plover, an Oystercatcher, 10 auk sp, a Red-throated Diver and 12 Cormorants. David Campbell

SHOREHAM BEACH: DARTFORD WARBLER still.

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Turnstone, Redshank and three Mute Swans. Steve Gilbert via SOS

WORTHING: SLAVONIAN GREBE on sea off west end of seafront. Six Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew east, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers and a few Red-breasted Mergansers. David Smith

 

5th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: The 1stw CASPIAN GULL again this morning between the railway line and toll bridge. Richard Fairbank

BRAMBER: GOOSANDER again on River Adur. Sonia Hammond

Goosander (Sonia Hammond)

GORING BEACH: 10.45 - 13.00 4 Gannets W, 1 Red-throated Diver W, 3 Mediterranean Gulls W, on sea 15 Red-breasted Mergansers & 19 Razorbills. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: Two SLAVONIAN GREBES offshore today along with 15 Great Crested Grebes , 20 Red-Breasted Mergansers. 2 Lapwings coasting eastwards and a Mallard sitting in the puddle of the large field!. Richard Ives

MARINE GARDENS: A single SLAVONIAN GREBE appeared just before I left amongst the Great Crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers. A steady trickle of Gannets moving eastward and a few distant parties of auks moving in both directions along the horizon. John Newnham

WORTHING BEACH: A seawatch from the end of Grand Avenue 8.46-9.56am produced five Red-throated Divers, a Common Scoter, a Mute Swan, 16 Razorbills, 280 auk sp, 30 Kittiwakes, 60 Gannets, two Mediterranean Gulls, 17 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Great Crested Grebes and five Oystercatchers. David Campbell

4th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: 1st-winter CASPIAN GULL south of toll bridge. Richard Fairbank

GORING GAP: A quick visit, late morning yielded three Mediterranean Gulls, 34 Grey Plovers, 24 Ringed Plovers, 153 Dunlin, two Skylarks and two Pied Wagtails. Gareth James

Late afternoon there were three Mediterranean Gulls, two Redshanks, 43 Grey Plovers, 110+ Dunlin, three Ringed Plovers, five Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Crested Grebe, a Sparrowhawk and two Stonechats. David Campbell

MARINE GARDENS (WORTHING): ICELAND GULL on the beach off Marine Gardens this morning and two GOLDENEYE flew past. John Newnham

SHOREHAM: Excellent views of a large number of Gannets near the harbour mouth and along the coastline to the west. There were quite a lot of birds on the sea, along with others in flight and diving. At least 50 close by but many more in the distance. Several rafts of auks on the sea and some birds in flight, those that were close enough to identify to species level being Razorbills. Also a couple of Great Crested Grebes. Near the base of the western harbour wall a flock of ten Turnstones was feeding busily, oblivious to port staff working a few metres away. A Kingfisher on the rocks below the coastguard building. On the drive home I noted a Stonechat on the fence near New Salts Farm. Steve Gilbert via SOS

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Purple Sandpiper on wooden jetty and two grey goose sp (probably White-fronted) flew east offshore. Paul James

3rd January 2021

EAST GORING BEACH: Good seawatch for three hours this morning produced a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER E, 25 Red-throated Divers E &W, 160 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, 1050 distant Auk Sp., 30 Kittiwakes W, seven Wigeon W, a few Common Scoters & Great Crested Grebes (10), 29 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 distant unidentified Diver sp. Dave Smith & Dorian Mason

RIVER ADUR: A walk along the Adur from the Cement Works to St Peter’s Church in Upper Beeding produced a Wigeon, two EGYPTIAN GEESE, two Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, two Kingfishers, two Kestrels, Raven, 32 Redwings, two Fieldfares, two Stonechats, Grey Wagtail and four Meadow Pipits. No sign however of any GOOSANDERS. Gareth and Paul James

SHOREHAM BEACH: DARTFORD WARBLER still present in scrub along the beach just to the east of the first roundabout along Old Fort Road. Also single PURPLE SANDPIPER on wooden jetty at Shoreham Harbour. Nick Bond 

Purple Sandpiper (Nick Bond)

Black Redstart still present at Shoreham Sailing Club. Josh MacCallum Stewart via Sussex Bird News WhatsApp 

SLONK HILL (SHOREHAM): Male HEN HARRIER at Slonk Hill Riding Stables then flew east at 09:45. Bridget James

2nd January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY RSPB: A quick look late afternoon produced the over-wintering Greenshank, 58 Lapwing, 12 Redshank and a Grey Heron. Gareth James Also Wigeon and thee Grey Plover. Shemi via SOS

BRAMBER: GOOSANDER on River Adur. Shemi via SOS

EAST GORING: Nine Red-throated Divers (8W, 1E), 40 Auk Sp. W, eight Red-breasted Mergansers W, six Brent Geese W, a Gannet W and 22 Dunlin E. Dave Smith

EAST WORTHING: My first seawatch of 2021 off East Worthing (08:45-10:20) was chilly but worthwhile: Gannet 18, Great Crested Grebe 7, Red-throated Diver 13 (4W 9E), GREAT NORTHERN DIVER 4 (1offshore, 2W, 1E), Razorbill 13E (also 20+ unidentified auks farther out), Brent 38W, Common Scoter 22E, and a probable Black-throated Diver W (90% certain but moderately distant & just past me before I picked it up). Also 32 Dunlin, 24 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover and 4 Oystercatchers. Colin Holter via SOS

GEORGE V AVENUE: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER offshore at midday. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: Highlight of this mornings visit was a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER offshore. Also  noted was 41 Red-breasted Mergansers, 41 Common Scoters, 10 Brent Geese, 20 Great Crested Grebes, a Guillemot, a Razorbill, four Gannets and 22 Red-throated Divers. On the beach waders comprised of 30 Oystercatchers, 23 Grey Plover, 11 Ringed Plover, c100 Dunlin, six Sanderling and two Redshank. On my way back to the car a Sparrowhawk flew over the roost field. Gareth James, Ralph Simpson, Nick Bond, Richard Ives et al. 

LANCING COLLEGE: On the small pond at Lancing College was 19 Teal and nine Mallard. Also two Chiffchaffs in scrub surrounding pond and c100 Redwings in paddocks. Gareth James

SHOREHAM BEACH: DARTFORD WARBLER in scrub along the beach just to east of the first roundabout along Old Fort Road. Minty via Sussex Bird News WhatsApp The bird was still present mid-afternoon but was elusive. Also a 1st-winter PURPLE SANDPIPER on the wooden jetty at Shoreham Harbour and four Turnstones on the west arm. Offshore there was still a feeding frenzy of c100 Gannets, three Red-throated Divers flew east and two Razorbills were close inshore. The Black Redstart still at Shoreham Sailing Club. Gareth James

Dartford Warbler, Shoreham Beach (Gareth James)

TITCH HILL: Ringtail HEN HARRIER still. Andy Ashdown

UPPER BEEDING (ST PETER'S CHURCH): GOOSANDER flew south towards Bramber and c1300 Jackdaws into roost. Bridget James

WIDEWATER LAGOON: A Kingfisher and, opposite on the sea, two Red-throated Divers, Razorbill, some Great Crested Grebes, an impressive flock of fishing Gannets (100+) and a passing flock of Dunlin. Shemi via SOS

1st January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Curlew, Greenshank, 60+ Snipe, c30 Teal, 20 Oystercatchers, 41 Redshanks, a Kingfisher, 25 Lapwings and a Reed Bunting. David Campbell and Richard Fairbank. 1st-winter Dark-bellied Brent Goose opposite airport.

BROOKLANDS PARK: Most of the interest was offshore, with a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER feeding on a fairly calm sea, 13 Red-throated Divers, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, 11 Wigeon, four Shovelers, six Great Crested Grebes and 30 Gannets. 20 Dunlin flew along the beach. In the park itself, a male Kingfisher was showing well along the stream, where a Cetti's Warbler was calling. On the lake, the drake Pochard remained, along with two Little Grebes, eight Teal and eight Mute Swans (two pairs, a lone adult male and three of the immatures). A female Stonechat was feeding by the lake. David Campbell and Gareth James

 

FERRING RIFE: The highlight of a walk along the rife was two Little Grebes, my first here since a single on 10th January 2019. Elsewhere, a Water Rail near the small group of conifers. Other notables included four Stock Doves, 23 Moorhens, a Grey Heron, a Jay, three Song Thrushes, a Stonechat, nine Linnets and a Reed Bunting. Gareth James

GORING GAP: On the sea this morning at Goring Gap was six Wigeon, four Brent Geese, four Teal, four Common Scoter, 10 Great Crested Grebes and two Red-breasted Mergansers. The beach held nine Oystercatcher, four Grey Plover, two Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstone, 20 Sanderling and 53 Dunlin. Noted in the roost field was just a single Skylark. Gareth James Also two Red-throated Divers. Dave Smith

Mid-morning a POCHARD flew west and the roost field held a 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull. Garry Messenbird

PATCHING: A Barn Owl flew over the A27 pretty much opposite the Fox pub, came low across the carriageway and just avoided my car thankfully. Nick Bond

PATCHING POND: Single Coot. Gareth James

SHOREHAM BEACH: Mid-morning on the west arm of Shoreham Harbour was a single PURPLE SANDPIPER along with a Rock Pipit. Offshore was a feeding frenzy of c100 Gannets and two Mute Swans were at the harbour mouth. The Black Redstart was still present at Shoreham Sailing Club. Gareth James. 

            Two Purple Sandpipers early afternoon. David Campbell

Purple Sandpiper, Shoreham Harbour (Gareth James)

SOUTHWICK BEACH: Single PURPLE SANDPIPER on East Arm and two Rock Pipits. Paul and Bridget James

UPPER BEEDING FLOOD RELIEF: Three Mute Swans, two Stock Doves, a Grey Heron, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Song Thrush. Gareth James

UPPER BEEDING (ST PETER'S CHURCH): Barn Owl late afternoon and a pre-roost gathering of 750 Jackdaws. Also Stonechat and Reed Bunting. Paul and Bridget James

WIDEWATER LAGOON: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER offshore this morning presumably the same bird seen later off Brooklands. Richard Fairbank via Sussex Bird News WhatsApp. Also three Red-breasted Mergansers, a few Red-throated Divers, Gannets and Razorbills.

WISTON WINERY ESTATE: Red Kite over A24. Gareth James

WEST WORTHING: A Buzzard flew east over Boundary Road just after sunrise, when a male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Coal Tit were also noted. David Campbell