Well that’s another year of local birding done and dusted. Despite our stretch of coastline being highly developed there has been plenty to see within the environs of Worthing. A haul that contained a spring Bluethroat, multiple Hoopoes, a couple of September Wrynecks and three separate November Pallas’s Warblers within our urbanised area isn’t bad. Throw in a fly over Black Stork and a photographed Ortolan Bunting, our area has punched above its weight again.
December Round Up
Inevitably December was mostly wet and grey making winter birding hard work, though bright blue skies and sunshine over the Christmas period lifted spirits even though the pickings were still slim.
Seawatching
There was little to report on the sea with Wigeon (9w) and Teal (7w) from Marine Gardens on 6/12 a drake Goosander west past Goring 19/12 and a reasonable movement of Brent Geese, with circa 350 heading east on 23/12.
A two hour watch from Brougham Road (07:50-09:50) on 30th December produced masses of distant auks with an approximate count of c1100 mostly going east but only close enough to identify were Razorbills (26). Also observed were Red-throated Diver (19e,7w), Great Northern Diver (1w), Red-breasted Merganser (18), Great Crested Grebe (8), Common Scoter (5e) Brent Goose (2w) and Kittiwake.
Coast and Goring Gap
Nine Brent Geese were in the fields at Goring Gap on 5/12 whilst the gull roost contained Great Black-backed Gulls (16) and Mediterranean Gull (2 ad). Ferring Rife held Kingfisher, Water Rail and two Stonechats (29/12).
The usual waders were around with a good count of Sanderling (98), Oystercatchers (11) and Turnstone (7) on the beach opposite Sea Lane Cafe.
Cissbury and the Downs
19th December Downland Circuit north of Cissbury : the Downs were very quiet with only small numbers of buntings and finches seen mostly along the north escarpment from Steyning Round Hill along the SDW. Birds noted included Chaffinchs (15), Corn Buntings (6), Yellowhammer (3), Stonechat and Fieldfare (6+).
22nd December : Monarch’s Way and Stump Bottom yielded very little with the most notable sighting being Painted Lady near the Downs Barn and a Peacock on the Monarch’s Way. Apart from that a mixed flock of Redwings, Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush near No Man’s Land was the only interest.
The cold weather was presumably responsible for a flock of Lapwings (20) flying north up Findon Valley on 24/12 with further reports of 44 heading north over Angmering on 27/12.
Two adult White-tailed Eagles displaying over Long Furlong were an impressive sight on 24/12 though they drifted north towards Chantry Hill rather than towards the observers enjoying a mince pie with their coffee on the west side of Cissbury Ring. Also present were Redwing (6), Blackbird (6), Song Thrush (2) both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and a flock of Lapwings (6) heading east over the trigpoint.
30th December Downland circuit north of Cissbury: Following a similar route to 19/12, though also taking in No Man’s Land and Stump Bottom, produced similar numbers of finches, buntings and thrushes. However additionally the cold weather had brought a flock of Lapwings (39) feeding on tilled fields and the Wiston Estate workers reported 8+ Woodcocks flushed by the morning pheasant shoot.
Many thanks to all local observers who have contributed to helping ensure news is spread quickly and responsibly via the Worthing Birding WhatsApp group. We start again in the morning - Happy New Year and good birding in 2026.
