1st - 7th September

Well the unbroken sunshine had to end sometime and the start of September really was a mixed  bag weather wise with near gale force south westerly winds and heavy rain  at the start of the month but plenty of sunshine in between. 

The Downs

A Hobby was seen over Sompting on 1st whilst the following day Tree Pipit (1), Redstarts (5), Blackcaps (5), Chiffchaffs (15) and Swallows (20) were seen on Cissbury before rain set in. 

There was good coverage across the Downs on Friday 5th September with the highlight being a Pied Flycatcher on Highdown Hill along with good variety of common migrants including Spotted Flycatchers (8), Redstart (2), Tree Pipit (6s), Wheatear, Whitethroat (12). Lesser Whitethroat (1), 15 Blackcap (15), Grey Wagtails (1e, 1w)  and three Egyptian Geese, which flew very high east over the top of the hill.

The same day Cissbury recorded Tree Pipit (1s),  Spotted Flycatcher (8),  Wheatear (7), Redstart (3) and single Whinchat and Lesser Whitethroat with a Hobby and House Martins (12e) overhead. 

On the 6th September Steyning Round Hill produced Spotted Flycatchers (8+) along the fenceline and dead Ash trees, as well as Redstart (3), Wheatear (2),  Whinchat (2), Blackcap (6), Whitethroat (4) and a calling Curlew flying south. 

The same day Lychpole Bottom had another five Spotted Flycatchers with another two at the Downs Barn, but strangely none on Cissbury which could only muster Redstart, Wheatears (2), Blackcaps (9) and a single Sand Martin heading south with Swallows (30+).  

Stonechats (10+) and Redstarts (2) were also recorded from Nepcote Gallops that afternoon.

Brooklands

Two Yellow-legged and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Brooklands on 2nd September.

Goring Gap/ Ferring

A single Swift flew west over Ferring Rife on 2nd September. 

An early morning check of the beach  found four Wheatears on Friday 5th September as well as counts of Ringed Plovers (29), Oystercatchers (23), Turnstones (77) and a single Common Sandpiper. Overhead migrants included a good total of  Grey Wagtail (23w) and Yellow Wagtail (19w). 

Wheatear Goring (Ralph Simpson)

September Gales

Autumn Seawatching

Autumn seawatching on the Sussex coast is hard work and despite the south westerly gales pushing 500+Balearic Shearwaters and several Grey Phalaropes and Sabines Gulls into Sussex waters, these eagerly awaited goodies failed to materialise in-front of our brave sea watchers.

1st - 3rd September

A Little Gull was seen heading west past Widewater on the 1st, ahead of the gales which hit our coast on the 3rd September. 50 mph south westerly winds raised hopes for a few fool hardy observers, positioned along the seafront at Marine Gardens, Brougham Road and Widewater,  and although heavy squalls and poor visibility hampered things, 100+ Gannets heading west close in were impressive. 

The combined observations  added Fulmar (2w) , Common Tern (2w) and a juvenile Kittiwake (1w) and a frustratingly brief Storm Petrel sp. past Brougham Rd.

13th - 17th  September

Another strong south westerly blow battered our coast over the 14th-15th September, which pushed record numbers of Balearic Shearwaters into Sussex waters. Once again our intrepid sea watchers sought refuge behind various beach huts and shelters as the wind gusted to over 50mph. 

On Saturday 13th despite the reports of over 100 Balearics west past Selsey only Gannets (6w) and a Shag were seen off Worthing beach this morning. 

Another sea watch on Sunday 14th from Marine Gardens between 1350-1530 only produced Gannets (20+), Common Scoter (3e), Sandwich Tern (c10e) , Commic Terns (c15e) whilst Ringed Plover (5e) flew along shoreline and Razorbill (3) landed on the sea. 

The gale peaked on Monday 15th  resulting in a steady flow of Gannet and frustrating records of two distant shearwater sp. off Marine Gardens and a probable Balearic Shearwater west past Goring Beach along with two Arctic Skuas.  

A vigil from Brougham Road on Wednesday 17th after the winds had subsided recorded Gannet (165w) of which 70 were all dark juveniles, Sandwich Tern (4w) and Common Scoter (19w). 

Round up - 16th - 31st August

 The Downs

Sorry for the late posting but the last two weeks of August have been far too good to be sat at home working on the computer. Warm sunshine, blue skies and light easterlies have meant there was plenty of coverage of the high ground from Beeding & Mill Hill, Steyning Round Hill, Cissbury and Highdown and all points in between. This has resulted in good daily counts of all our common migrants with those lucky enough to have the time enjoying multiple Redstarts, Whinchats, Wheatears, Spotted Flycatchers and the regular Warblers.

Highlights

Three Wrynecks in the Cissbury / Monarch’s Way area between 17/8 & 28/8 is worthy of its own separate post.

The only Pied Flycatchers of the month were seen briefly on Cissbury and west of Steyning on 25/8 but unfortunately neither lingered. A Reed Warbler was at Highdown on 17/8 and Cissbury on 31/8, whilst Crossbill was seen on Cissbury on 22/8.

Raptors included a lingering Marsh Harrier seen over Farmers Memorial, Steyning Round Hill on 24/8 and again north of Cissbury on 29/8, whilst Hobbies were recorded over Highdown, Cissbury, Findon Gallops, Sompting and Monarch’s Way.

                                                      Whinchat Cissbury (Nick Oliver)

To give a flavour of the numbers of migrants, coverage by multiple observers across our area on Friday 22nd August produced a conservative combined total of Redstarts (13), Whinchats (28), Wheatear (36), Spotted Flycatchers (18), Yellow Wagtails (16) as well as Lesser Whitethroats (6), Garden Warblers (3) and many Willow Warblers and Blackcaps.

                                                  Spotted Flycatcher - Cissbury (Nick Oliver)

Whinchats - small groups daily with peak counts from Monarchs Way (9) on 24/8, Steyning Round Hill (11) on 22/8 and Cissbury (5) on 31/8.

Wheatears - again present in small numbers with largest groups from Sompting (9) on 16/8 and Steyning Round Hill (15) on 28/8.

Redstarts -  daily with peak counts of Findon Gallops (5) on 17/8, Chanctonbury (6) on 22/8, Cissbury (8) on 28/8 and (7) on 31/8.

Spotted Flycatchers - present daily in small numbers with peak counts from Highdown (8) on 16/8 & 22/8 and Cissbury (10) on 16/8 & 28/8.

Yellow Wagtails - the first were reported from Highdown (7) and Monarch’s Way (20) on 17/8. Small numbers were seen daily until 25/8 when 40+ were with cows in fields north of Cissbury with a peak count of circa 150 on 31/8.

Tree Pipits - mostly recorded as fly overs with records from Durrington (3) on 22/8, Cissbury (4) 24/8 and singles 28/8 & 29/8, Lancing Ring (3) on 30/8.

                                                   Tree Pipit Lancing Ring ( Nick Bond)

                                                        Redstart - Cissbury ( Nick Oliver)

The Coast

Most of the action was from the Downs but Whinchat, Wheatear (2) and Spotted Flycatchers (2) were at Goring Gap on 16/8 and Swifts (8), Sand Martins (8) and Swallows (40) flew over Ferring on 18/8.

On 22/8 Wheatears (4), Whinchat (2) and Yellow Wagtails (8w,4e) were at Goring Gap with Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank (9), Dunlin (3) and Ringed Plover (26) on beach. Whilst on 23/8 there was a significant movement of Swallows (400e) a sure sign of the changing seasons as we move towards September. 

Wryneck Bonanza !

Strap in -  It’s been quite a period for Wrynecks in the Cissbury area over the last two weeks of August. This cryptically plumaged European woodpecker is much enjoyed by those lucky enough to catch up with them but can cause frustration for those trying to relocate typically elusive birds. 

                                                Wryneck - Monarch’s Way ( Matt Bowley) 

Wryneck are perhaps one of the most wanted self finds of the autumn being a scarce migrant, but one that turns up in small numbers each year. Encouraged by a good early run of common migrants Matt and Paul Bowley ventured up Cissbury on Sunday 17th August, and having already seen both male and female Redstart and two Spotted Flycatchers headed down Monarch’s Way to the area of set-a-side much favoured by Whinchats and Wheatears.

Much to his surprise Matt discovered a Wryneck sitting up amongst weeds and was composed enough to take some excellent photos. News was quickly circulated via the local WhatsApp groups and Matt and Paul were able to get other birders onto this furtive bird. True to form the bird then became typically elusive and disappeared for over 2 1/2 hours before finally popping up again in front of waiting birders including Matt’s brother, who had declined the chance to join them that morning.  It was seen again late afternoon and then finally just before sunset, but there was no sign the following day.

Remarkably a second Wryneck was seen briefly near the Rifle Butts on the south-east side of Cissbury on 20/8 but it couldn’t be relocated later in the day. Finally Nick Bond found yet another of these scarce migrants near the upper Cissbury car park on 28/8 amongst a fall of Spotted Flycatchers (10) and Redstarts (8) and other common migrants. Again it was typically elusive but did show later in the morning before going to ground once more.

Three separate Wrynecks across a 12 day period seems quite remarkable, and although it may be tempting to think these relate to just one bird the area is well covered on a near daily basis. As the birds were seen in three widely separated areas they almost certainly relate to three different arrivals. 

A fourth was seen briefly in private fields at Kingston Gorse on 31/8 but couldn’t be relocated.

8th -15th August

The week continued to produce a steady trickle of common migrants along the Downs and coastal strip but the star bird of the week and perhaps the autumn almost slipped through unnoticed. At this time of year there are a lot of Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers on the Downs including many young birds and with the focus on searching for migrants the buntings tend to get over looked. 

                                                      Ortolan Bunting (Richard Phillips)

This was almost the case on Friday 15th August when Richard Phillips was photographing buntings whilst looking for migrants on his local patch around Steyning Round Hill. It wasn’t until he looked at his photos late the following afternoon that he noticed a bird with a prominent sub moustachial stripe, obvious pale eye ring and pale bill all features of Ortolan Bunting, a scarce migrant which is far from annual in Sussex. 

Monarch’s Way and Steyning Round Hill 

The fence line along Monarch’s Way near the set aside fields held four each of Wheatear and Whinchat on 14/8 whilst the bushes around the Farmer’s Memorial held Spotted Flycatcher (8/8), Garden Warbler (9/8), Whinchat (11/8) and a Redstart which was present most of the week.

Findon Gallops

A Sedge Warbler was present at the top of Findon Gallops on 8/8 with Redstart, Wheatear, Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat (3) recorded in the Horse Paddocks on 14/8. 

Cissbury

There was good coverage with almost daily reports around the Ring from multiple observers. Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Whitethroat and a few tacking Lesser Whitethroat were seen on most visits. Wheatear numbers began to increase with four on 12/8 and six on 14/8. The first returning Spotted Flycatchers (3) were found on 11/8, with two more on 14/8, and Redstarts were present throughout the week with a maximum count of four on 14/8. A Black Redstart on 11/8 was an excellent August find on the Downs with most records of this species coming from coastal sites later in the year. 

Lancing Ring

A good haul of common migrants around Lancing Ring on 11/8 included Spotted Flycatchers (5), Redstarts (2) and Lesser Whitethroat (2). Nearby on the south side of Steep Down a combine-harvester flushed a Dartford Warbler and Corn Buntings (45) from a field of oats. 

Highdown

A late afternoon visit on 15/8 was very productive with an arrival of migrants including an excellent count of Spotted Flycatchers (13), Whinchat, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat (2) and a Hobby flying west. 

Worthing

A Wheatear was present at Worthing Crem (10/8) and Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler were seen in East Worthing (15/8), whilst a mixed flock of Swifts (12) and House Martins went south over Dominion Road (8/8). 

Goring Gap / Ferring Rife

A Quail was discovered calling in the large Clover  and Lucerne field bordering Ferring Rife on Friday 8th August which is an excellent record away from the Downs, with Wheatears (2), Swifts (15) and Sand Martins (6) in same area.Two Wheatears were also present on the beach at Goring Gap the same day with an increase in Turnstones (49) a single Sanderling and the elusive over summering Whimbrel again being noted.

On Friday 15th August Little Egrets (36) were on the beach with Wheatears (5) and waders included  Ringed Plovers (10) as well as similar numbers of Turnstones. Overhead visible migration included Yellow Wagtail (2w, 1e) and Sand Martins (8e).

Guest Blog Gareth James - There be Dragons.

If you read the small print the Worthing Birding Blog covers all wildlife sightings (even escaped Common Myna) so news of a first for Worthing area is a notable story. 

                                 Lesser Emperor Deepest Darkest Durrington - (Gareth James)

                                                            Ruddy Darter - (Gareth James)

Anyone studying an Ordance Survey map of Worthing would notice the area west and north of Durrington Tescos, even in the most recent updates, is depicted as fields with the odd stream or dyke. We all know this area has now been extensively developed with new housing.  Our intrepid local entomologist Colin Jupp set off on foot to explore this area and discovered several small ponds amongst the houses due west of Tescos and much to his delight found a rare Lesser Emperor. This is the first time this species has been recorded in the Worthing area and Gareth James takes up the story with his post from the Sussex Dragonfly Group website.

On Saturday 9th August, Colin Jupp discovered a male Lesser Emperor at a pond within a new housing estate in West Durrington. We visited the site on Sunday afternoon and checked a couple of the ponds in the area.

Most of the activity was at the second pond we visited, located at TQ107054. Here, we observed two male Lesser Emperors patrolling along the western shore, along with several Emperors and Black-tailed Skimmers. Also present were both Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies, as well as a single Blue-tailed Damselfly.

The first pond we checked, situated to the south at TQ107051, held a male Ruddy Darter and a couple of Emperors.

We later learned that Colin's original Lesser Emperor sighting had been at a third pond at TQ107048. So, if you're visiting the area, it's well worth checking all three ponds but please mindful of the privacy of local residents. (Paul Bridget and Gareth James, West Durrington - TQ1005)

Lesser Emperor is a very scarce Dragonfly in Sussex only recorded from a handful of sites (see link for details). https://sussexdragonflies.org.uk/speciesAccount.php?species=Anax%20parthenope

1st-7th August

Early August continued to deliver a trickle of departing summer visitors pausing on the Downs or along the coastal strip to feed up prior to heading out across the Channel.

Goring Gap

                                                   Cattle Egrets Goring Gap (Ralph Simpson)

On Friday 1st August Ralph Simpson photographed five Cattle Egrets flying in from the east, which nearly landed on the beach with 30+ Little Egrets before having second thoughts and continuing west. Presumably one of these was the bird he had found on 30/7 returning with its friends. Also present on the beach were Wheatears (2),  whilst waders included Turnstone (18) and Dunlin and Sanderlings (7).  Nearby Swifts (8) and Swallows (15) were hawking insects over Ferring County Centre.

Cissbury

There seemed to be an arrival of Willow Warblers on Friday 1st August with 20+ birds recorded around The Ring but no other migrants could be located with them. The next day (2/8) four Redstarts were found in the north east corner and the ringing station on the northern flanks caught a Nightingale, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and lots of Willow Warblers. However a day later (3/8) the same area was virtually birdless with only a single Redstart remaining.

Monarch’s Way to Steyning Round Hill

The first Whinchat of the autumn was found near the Farmer’s Memorial on 2/8 and the following day two birds were present in the set aside fields at the bottom of Monarch’s Way just north of Cissbury and a Hobby flew over Stump Bottom.

The area around the Farmer’s Memorial held Redstarts (2), Wheatear (2), Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat (12) and Willow Warblers (2) on 5/8 with at least one Redstart and the Lesser Whitethroat still present the following day.

Sompting

Two Wheatears were present on the Downs above Sompting Church on 2/8.

Town Centre

Two Crossbills flew south west over King Edward Avenue (2/8) and a Wheatear was on the beach opposite Marine Gardens (5/8). The two escaped Common Mynas on the grass outside Durrington Health Centre (2/8) were a surprise for the finder but are probably best ignored.