10th April 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Shelducks and a Lesser Black-backed Gull (SOS).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Two GADWALL again. Also a Reed Warbler, two Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, five Cetti's Warblers, a Mute Swan, two Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler (Bt).

DURRINGTON CEMETERY: Yellow Wagtail over north, 1 Red Kite, 1 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap. A Holly Blue and Large White butterfly were firsts of the year (NB)

EAST PRESTON: CATTLE EGRET flew NW at 9.10am (GDM). Two Red Kites (Bt).

FERRING RIFE: A White Wagtail, a Sand Martin, a Sedge Warbler, a Wheatear, a Red Kite, three Willow Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Little Egret, eight Moorhens, two Reed Buntings, a Kestrel, three Swallows, five Chiffchaff, six Blackcaps and 10 Linnets (Bt).

FINDON: Marsh Tits at Church Hill and West Hill (Bt).

GORING GAP: A Swift, a Yellow Wagtail, 33 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, five Whimbrel, two Common Terns, two Mediterranean Gulls, a Sparrowhawk, a Willow Warbler, five Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, two Meadow Pipits and 14 Greenfinches (Bt).

KINGSTON GORSE: Two Wheatears (Bt).

SALVINGTON: Swallow over north this afternoon, 2 Red Kite, Goldcrest singing in Durrington Rec, Holly Blue, Large and small White, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood butterflies were on the wing today (NB)

Holly Blue (NB)

HIGHDOWN: A SPOONBILL flew north at 9.17am (RBA). Also two Yellow Wagtails, Whitethroat, three Red Kites, five Buzzards, Greylag and Canada Geese, two Willow Warblers, a Marsh Tit, two Bullfinches, a Mistle Thrush, a Treecreeper, 21 Meadow Pipits ,14 Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs a Kestrel and a Reed Bunting (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: To my delight a flock of 10 CROSSBILLS flew east over my garden just before 7am this morning. Other highlights from the garden today incuded a Peregrine, a Grey Heron, a Cormorant, three Linnets and a Meadow Pipit (DKC).

Crossbills over my garden

9th April 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: 11 Little Egrets, a Sedge Warbler, two Shelducks and a Cetti's Warbler (Bt).

BEEDING HILL: A Stonechat and a Whitethroat (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Adult BLACK-TAILED GODWIT still, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Siskin, Fulmar, two Sandwich Terns, four Cetti's Warblers, a Grey Wagtail, four Willow Warblers, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Oystercatchers on beach, a Sparrowhawk, a Little Grebe, five Blackcaps, singles of Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Grey Heron, a Reed Bunting, five Meadow Pipits and two Kestrels (Bt/SOS).

FERRING RIFE: Two Whitethroat, five Willow Warbler, four Blackcap, two Chiffchaff, two Swallow, two Reed Bunting, Snipe, two Greenfinch, four Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker and Jackdaw.
Later on 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear were in the horse paddocks (KH)

GORING-BY-SEA: Red Kite east over Compton Avenue at 10:02 and two Buzzard east over the flat late morning (GJ).

Buzzard over Goring-by-Sea (GJ)

GORING GAP: Two Red Kite, Peregrine, Buzzard, Whitethroat, six Blackcap, four Greenfinch, two Jay, four Skylark, 19 Linnet, two Swallow, two Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Song Thrush, Green Woodpecker and Pheasant. Also 24 Mediterranean Gull, seven Brent Geese, six Turnstone and three Oystercatcher (Bt).

FERRING RIFE: Two Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warbler, four Blackcap, two Chiffchaff, two Swallow, two Reed Bunting, two Greenfinch, four Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker, Snipe and Jackdaw.

KINGSTON GORSE: White Wagtail (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: From the garden, while having breakfast, I could see a Peregrine on a block of flats further down my road. When popping to the shop later on, a little nearer, I got really fantastic views of it (DKC).

adult Peregrine in West Worthing (DKC).

WORTHING: Three Red Kites over gardens today (SOS).

8th April 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Little Egrets, two Canada Geese, two Mute Swans, a Redshank, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Buzzards, a Kestrel, two Swallows, a Whitethroat (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK: BLACK-TAILED GODWIT on south island, two GADWALL again and two Swallows, two Grey Herons, and two Blackcaps (SOS).

HIGHDOWN: White Wagtail, 17 Blackcap, nine Chiffchaff, five Willow Warbler and two Swallow. Also four Marsh Tit, four Yellowhammer, two Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, 12 Greenfinch, 15 Skylark,  five Pheasant, four Song Thrush, two Mistle Thrush, five Green Woodpecker, five Great Spotted Woodpecker, six Linnet, 19 Dunnock, seven Mallard, Jay, Common Buzzard and Long-tailed Tit (Bt).

HILL BARN: A Grey Partridge and two Tawny Owls (Bt).

NORTH GORING GAP: Two Swallow, Skylark and Pheasant (Bt).

SALVINGTON: Garden birding today, Red Kite drifted over, 4 Buzzards, female Sparrowhawk , Grey Heron flew over Durrington rec just after 8am, a Swallow also flew north not long after. 154 Herring Gulls and 2 Lesser black-backed Gulls were feeding up on the football pitches at dawn. Brimstone, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Red Admiral and Comma butterflies were seen enjoying the warm spring sunshine (NB)

WEST WORTHING: At home, the Blackcap sang and a Coal Tit popped in, then a Cormorant flew east (DKC).

7th April 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Whimbrel, Greenshank, Curlew, 23 Turnstones, two Teal, two Mute Swans and an adult Mediterranean Gull (SOS).

BRAMBER BROOKS NR: Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard (Bt).

CISSBURY RING: RING OUZEL still on west slopes.

THE DOWNS (No-Man's-Land area): HEN HARRIER.

FERRING RIFE: A Swallow passed through heading North other birds noted included two Linnet and singles of Song Thrush and Chiffchaff. Also three Willow Warbler and three Blackcap (Bt).

GORING: HOOPOE appeared in a different garden today (SOS).

GORING GAP: The biggest surprise of the morning was three EGYPTIAN GEESE that flew south through the Gap and then headed out to sea and shortly after two Mute Swan were swimming east close inshore! Grounded migrants were thin on the ground this morning with just three Blackcap, two Chiffchaff and a Meadow Pipit being noted and overhead five Linnet flew east. Other observations included 15 House Sparrow, 10 Greenfinch, three Chaffinch, three Skylark, six Dunnock and a Jay was in the plantation. Offshore 12 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Sandwich Tern and a Cormorant flew east whilst a Dark-bellied Brent Goose headed in the opposite direction. On the beach were 12 Turnstone and six Oystercatcher. Also two Whimbrel east and two Swallow (Bt).

HIGHDOWN: Three Yellowhammers and two Nuthatches (Bt).

KINGSTON GORSE: A Little Egret passed overhead and a female Sparrowhawk headed east along the beach (Bt).

LAMBLEY'S LANE: Two Red-legged Partridges and a Mistle Thrush (Bt).

SHOREHAM: Wheatear, three Sandwich Terns and three Mute Swans (Bt).

STEYNING RIFE RANGE: Two NIGHTINGALES singing (RBA).

WEST WORTHING: Two Meadow Pipits, a Linnet and a Stock Dove flew over the garden. The Blackcap was in song and Jay and Coal Tit each paid a visit (DKC).

WORTHING: Willow Warbler at Dominion Road Open Space (SOS).

6th April 2020

CORONA VIRUS : WE WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT ON THE BLOG ANY INTERESTING SIGHTINGS LOCALLY FROM OUR NETWORK OF ENTHUSIASTS THAT ARE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, SOME ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE NEAR THE DOWNS, SOME ARE NEAR THE SEAFRONT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH ANY SIGHTINGS SUBMITTED TO BIRDTRACK , WE HOPE YOU ALL CONTINUE TO KEEP SAFE AND OUR SITE VISITORS ENJOY BEING INFORMED OF OUR WONDERFIL WILDLIFE AROUND US, THANKYOU 

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Shelducks, five or more Oystercatchers, a Redshank, three Skylarks, a Cetti's Warbler, three or more Turnstones and a Little Egret (SOS).

ANGMERING: Two GREAT WHITE EGRETS flew east this morning (G.Prater).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Four Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps, four Chiffchaffs, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Grey Wagtails, a Little Grebe and three Cetti's Warblers (SOS).

CISSBURY RING: RING OUZEL still, Willow Warbler, Grey Partridge, Swallow, Treecreeper Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Wheatear, Mistle Thrush and Stonechat (Bt).

FERRING RIFE: Highlights this morning included a singing Sedge Warbler near the caravan park which showed itself briefly. Also 12 Willow Warbler, eight Chiffchaff, a singing Goldcrest and two adult Lesser Black-backed Gull in a ploughed field to the west and eight Mediterranean Gull passed overhead to the east. Between the Bluebird Cafe and Goring Gap were 20 Turnstone and a Sanderling on the beach whilst two Sandwich Tern passed close inshore to the west and there were two Gannet further out. Also Tree Pipit, Whitethroat, 15 Willow Warblers and eight Chiffchaffs (Bt).

GORING-BY-SEA: A Common Buzzard flew over the flat just before midday and the singing Blackcap is still in the communal gardens below the balcony (GJ). Also male MARSH HARRIER flew west, two Tree Pipits over, six Whimbrel west and four Swallows (Bt).

GORING GAP: There were three Meadow Pipit in the rough field whilst birds noted in the eastern plantation included a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Jay and a singing Stock Dove. In the holm oaks on the northern boundary of the gap was a singing Blackcap and a Coal Tit. Also 2cy Little Gull, four Mediterranean Gulls, 12 Sandwich Terns, two Gannets, 21 Sanderlings, 11 Turnstones, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, three Oystercatchers, two Willow Warblers, three Blackcaps and two Chiffchaffs (Bt).

LANCING: Grey Partridge, Sparrowhawk, some Corn Buntings and Stonechats and a Red Kite to the north of Lancing (SOS).

SHOREHAM: Sandwich Tern off beach (Bt).

UPPER BEEDING: Three House Martins (Bt).

WEST TARRING ALLOTMENTS: Two Willow Warblers (Bt).

5th April 2020

CORONA VIRUS : WE WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT ON THE BLOG ANY INTERESTING SIGHTINGS LOCALLY FROM OUR NETWORK OF ENTHUSIASTS THAT ARE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, SOME ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE NEAR THE DOWNS, SOME ARE NEAR THE SEAFRONT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH ANY SIGHTINGS SUBMITTED TO BIRDTRACK , WE HOPE YOU ALL CONTINUE TO KEEP SAFE AND OUR SITE VISITORS ENJOY BEING INFORMED OF OUR WONDERFIL WILDLIFE AROUND US, THANKYOU   

ADUR ESTUARY: BLACK-TAILED GODWIT by ropetackle this morning (Helen Wiggins via twitter). Also Greenshank, Curlew, 20 Turnstones, a Mute Swan, three Mallards and 13 Oystercatchers (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK: Two GADWALL, Cetti's Warbler, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Terns, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a flock of Common Scoters, two Great Crested Grebes and a few Gannets (SOS).

CISSBURY/SOMPTING: 2 RING OUZELS (Bt)

COTE STREET: Willow Warbler (Bt).

FERRING: Sandwich Tern c. 55 E, Common Tern one close E, Little Gull two E, Gannet 8 E, Common Scoter at least 40 E plus other distant ducks that I suspect were Shovelers, Brent Goose two E (CH)

GEORGE V AVENUE: Totals from seawatching this morning included: Brent Goose 124E, Shelduck 1E, Common Scoter 242E, Sandwich Tern 142E, Gannet 150+ E, Commic Tern 19E, Mediterranean Gull 41E, Dunlin 13E, Velvet Scoter 7E, Red-breasted Merganser 4E 1W, Arctic Tern 4E, Avocet 1E, Shoveler 25E, Oystercatcher 1E, Little Gull 22E, Teal 4E, Wigeon 1E, Red-throated Diver 1E 1os, Gadwall 3E and Great Crested Grebe 1os 2W. Passerines noted included a male Wheatear on the beach, Linnet 2E 1W and c30 Starling on the beach (Bt).

GORING GAP: A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen arriving off the sea and headed inland mobbed by gulls (GK) 57 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, 6 Little Gulls, 20 Gannets, 6 Mergansers, 1 Red throated Diver, 18 Gannets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Turnstones, 35 Common Scoters (RI). Also two Treecreepers (Bt).

SHOREHAM: SHORT-EARED OWL flew inland; also four Purple Sandpipers still on jetty at harbour, a male Wheatear and a littoralis Rock Pipit. Three Swallows over a garden (SOS).


SOMPTING: Swallow (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: The best overhead today were a Linnet, a Cormorant, four Black-headed Gulls and two Stock Doves. Nocmig picked up a Redwing overnight (DKC).

4th April 2020

ADUR ESTUARY: Whimbrel and Curlew, two Shelducks and a Black Swan (SOS). Also 30 Turnstones and seven Oystercatchers (Bt).

BROOKLANDS PARK (seawatch): Six Eiders, 35 Common Scoters, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Shovelers, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Sandwich Tern and an Oystercatcher all east, and an additional Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew west; plus a Great Crested Grebe and three Turnstones (SOS).

CHURCH HILL: Mistle Thrush, two Red-legged Partridges, a Kestrel and a Yellowhammer (Bt).

CLAPHAM (Richardson's Wood): Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch and Blackcap (SOS).

DURRINGTON CEMETERY: A Marsh Tit was seen again this morning, this time just on the outside of the cemetery, also a Firecrest, fly over Linnet and Raven and 2 Green Woodpecker, singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap (NB)

ERRINGHAM FARM: Corn Bunting (Bt).

FERRING/GORING: 6 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff and 10 Blackcap being the highlights (GK)

Wheatear (boc) - Goring (GK)

GORING: The bird of the spring so far was a HOOPOE that was in a garden in Goring, seen for around 15 minutes before flying off west, not far from Alinora Avenue so worth checking if your local to the area. Thanks to Roy Bower for the report and photographs

HOOPOE - (Roy Bower)

GORING GAP: Red throated Diver 1 E, Common Scoter 25E, Meadow Pipit 5N (RI). Also Firecrest, Sanderling, three Turnstones, a Treecreeper, 13 Meadow Pipits and four Linnets (Bt).

LAMBLEY'S LANE: Two Shelducks, a Mistle Thrush, a Kestrel, five Buzzards, 20 Skylarks, 20 Pied Wagtails, 20 Greenfinches and four Yellowhammers (Bt).

PATCHING: Swallow 1, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 8, Green Woodpecker (RI)

SALVINGTON: A Buzzard over, Chiffchaff, a few Meadow Pipit over north, Small White, Peacock, Red Admiral butterfly and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in my garden (NB)

SOMPTING ESTATE: LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (SOS).

SHOREHAM: Six Great Crested Grebes off beach (Bt).

WIDEWATER: Adult BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Dave Hoggen). Also three Little Egrets (Bt).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Dave Hoggen)

WEST HILL: Mistle Thrush and two Yellowhammers (Bt).

WEST TARRING ALLOTMENTS: Sparrowhawk (Bt).

WEST WORTHING: Nocmig picked up a flock of Common Scoters over at 3.06am. Over the garden this morning were 33 Meadow Pipits and three Linnets, while a Chiffchaff was new in and Blackcap was in song (DKC).

WORTHING: 4 Gannets offshore, 14 Common Scoter east, 6 Mediterranean Gulls east, a Red-throated Diver, 4 Cormorants east, a Fulmar west and a Seal offshore (Bt)