28th March 2018

GORING GAP

A brief call in at the Gap this morning to check the gulls drew a complete blank. Just as I was leaving 2 Mute Swans flew directly over the gap. GJ

Using Animal track, I have received data on some of the colour-ringed Sanderlings I recorded on the morning of the 26th. 3 are Farlington captured/ringed birds and a couple of Dutch ringed birds, our records being the first time they have been recorded in the UK according to the data below. Apologies for the quality of the screen shots but hopefully will be of interest to someone! NB

27th March 2018

Goring Gap

A damp morning with a gloomy outlook at the gap with poor visibility at sea meant most effort was spent on the land this morning. Upto 3 Firecrest's performed well by the pumping station including a cracking male bird. A Blackcap was singing and a Chiff-chaff was also feeding up in the area. Meadow Pipits were arriving in off and Skylarks were pairing up with at least 4 pairs seen. 2 Stock Doves, 7 Brent Geese east and 5 Mediterranean Gulls included 3 adults and 2 1st winters.
The early morning gull roost included 5 Greater black-backed Gulls and 2 Lesser black-backed Gulls, the birds soon departed west and only record shots in the gloom were obtained but was certainly an interesting individual  NB/GM

The Iceland Gull arrived again into the fields just before mid-day and was still around mid-afternoon GM/GJ/NB/DM/BFF

Firecrest - NB

Iceland Gull - 'coming for me' - NB

Iceland Gull - in northern fields - BFF

Lesser black-backed Gull - NB - this bird is thought to be a 'intermedius' bird

25th & 26th March 2018

Goring Gap

Late news for the 25th -  four Canada Geese were briefly on the sea at the Gap at 0830 but flew off out to sea heading east. About 20 mins later they returned flying NW over the Gap! A smart male Wheatear was on the fence at the 'rough' field - CH

The Iceland Gull was seen again today at the gap, found in the roadside fields in the afternoon. GM/LH/MH

A check throughout the morning produced very little in terms of passage on the sea but 62 Great-crested Grebes and 32 Red-breasted Mergansers were counted on the sea, whilst 143 Sanderling gathered on the beach (7 birds had coloured rings/flag combinations) which were all recorded and 21 Turnstone and just a single Ringed Plover remained. Local quality arrived in the form of 3 Ravens which flew east over the beach, the fine weather brought out the plane/drone flyers en-masse so the roosts yet again never got going on the fields. NB

The warm spring sunshine was enjoyed by the raptors with 3 Common Buzzards and a Red Kite over the Salvington area and Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admirals were on the wing

Ringed Plover and Sanderling at Goring Gap - (photos NB)

CISSBURY RING

An early morning walk around Cissbury Ring produced 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 1 Sparrowhawk. The arable fields held 1 adult Mediterranean Gull in with a mixed flock of Common and Black-headed Gulls. Also 2 Yellowhammers were seen as well as a Chiffchaff heard singing. 2 Brimstones were also on the wing and a lovely close view of a Hare. BDJ

24th March 2018

Goring Gap

The Iceland Gull was present again in the fields at Goring Gap (various sources)

There was little obvious movement this morning but a good variety of birds were resting on the sea for varying lengths of time, including 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers, 6 Common Scoters, 9 Shovelers, 2 Wigeon, 16+ Great Crested Grebes and 15+ Red-Breasted Mergansers. 4 Pintail, 2 Wigeon, 6 Shelducks, 2 Curlews and a Black-tailed Godwit (my first here) flew east. 2 Sandwichn Terns, 1 Curlew and 2 Mute Swans flew west. Wader numbers appear to have reduced now although the usual species were present.

Keeping with the duck theme, a drake Mandarin touched down very briefly at Patching Pond before flying off again. Tufted Duck numbers have reduced to 2 from a high of 9 a week or so ago. RS

Along the Greensward from Ferring to Kingston  and at 1215 a massive flock of some 600 Brent Geese passed east followed a little later by another 130. I gather they were later seen passing Seaford. Also a Wheatear on the beach there CH

23rd March 2018

GORING GAP
Another fresh spring morning at the gap, the Iceland Gull was around for the morning settling in the north fields and allowing several birders to catch up with it, DKC's bread was very popular and afforded excellent flight views in decent light. Whilst watching the Iceland Gull, a couple of noteable sightings included the first Willow Warbler of the year, breaking into song half-heartedly, but hanging around in the two exposed bushes at the north end. A Red-legged Partridge was also seen in the north fields as was a fly-over Rook and a Red Kite was further north towards Ilex Way.
A couple other birders reported a brighter/different Iceland Gull which flew west (possible the Selsey bird) but were unable to re-locate. At least 5 Skylarks were in the area including 4 birds together and a Green Woodpecker was active. NB/GJ/DKC

Iceland Gull in flight and the first Willow Warbler of the year at the gap (photos NB)

Record shot of Red-legged Partridge today in Northern fields - Goring Gap (photo GJ)

Another sign of spring was a male Blackcap that was in sub-song in Rogate Road, Worthing NB

22nd March 2018

WEST WORTHING: The Firecrest was still on Boundary Road, along with a male Blackcap and a Coal Tit. DKC

GORING: Four Mediterranean Gulls (including a 3CY) were at the Gap NB. A brief seawatch from George V Avenue yielded just two Sandwich Terns, three Red-breasted Mergansers, a Kittiwake, three Great Crested Grebes, a Red-throated Diver, a Kittiwake and a Gannet. DKC

21st March 2018

GORING GAP: The 2CY Iceland Gull was showing nicely again, this time in the northern fields and coming in to chips thrown by unwitting passers by. Eight Mediterranean Gulls (including a 2CY and two 3CYS) were also around and some were quite vocal. A Jackdaw flew over and a Goldcrest was in one of the gardens. Three Skylarks were in the fields. Singles of Grey Plover and Ringed Plover in the roost field were the only waders logged. A Buzzard was over the hills to the north and stuff offshore in a quick look included a Red-throated Diver, five Great Crested Grebes, four Red-breasted Mergansers, three Gannets, four Sandwich Terns and a Kittiwake. DKC

2CY Iceland Gull

2CY Iceland Gull

WEST WORTHING: The Firecrest was still in a private garden on Boundary Road.