March 2024

16th - Another spring arrival was a Sandwich Tern observed off Marine Gardens, where a c320 Brent Geese moved east and good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Great-crested Grebes on the sea. A Bottle-nosed Dolphin was seen briefly. The female Goldeneye is hanging on at Brooklands Park, where 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and a Reed Bunting were around.

14th - 3 Wheatears were first for the spring at Shoreham Fort and beach, the wintering Eider was in the harbour and 1 Purple Sandpiper still around. 

13th - A night of Redwings migrating followed by a morning of Brent Geese migrating off our shores with c1,400 recorded moving through from Marine Gardens, the largest flock being a c180 which out-numbered Saturdays count alone! A fantastic spectacle as was a flock of 64 Mediterranean Gulls moving east. 6 Mediterranean Gulls were on the fields at Goring Gap and the female Goldeneye still at Brooklands Park.


Brent Geese moving eastwards off Marine Gardens (N.Bond) and Mediterranean Gulls - Goring Gap (R.Allan) Ringed individuals in breeding plumage

12th - 5 Ringed Plovers were on the roost field at Goring Gap, a Pheasant was crossing a road nearby. A large Redwing movement could be heard through the night by several observers.

11th - Goring Gap 0650-0945: Brent Goose 63W c50E, Shelduck 7W, Black-tailed Godwit 1W, Meadow Pipit 23N, Reed Bunting 1W. 32 Red- breasted Mergansers, 13 Great-crested Grebes and 1 Mallard on sea. 5 Mediterranean Gulls. 3 Chiffchaffs including 1 in off (R.Simpson)

Great-crested Grebe - Worthing - some were quite close offshore today (N.Bond)

10th - Nocturnal movement of Redwing and Fieldfare was heard by J.Grundy over Lancing, interestingly, Dungeness had recorded a large movement overnight aswell of various migrating birds

9th - The sea was fairly productive first thing with good number of Brent Geese and Black-headed Gulls moving east and at least 2 Fulmars offshore from Marine Gardens..full account here https://ebird.org/checklist/S164176749 A Brimstone butterfly was seen in Sompting



Record shots of Brent Geese, Common Scoter and a Curlew as they flew past (N.Bond)

8th - Only reports came from Goring Gap. Light passage this morning included (flying east) 3 Shelducks, 2 Curlews, 13 Teal, 4 Shovelers, 2 Mallards, 17 Pintails, 16 Wigeon. 7 Grey Plovers were on the beach when I arrived. A handful of Meadow Pipits flew in overhead (R.Simpson). 

Peacock - (Emma Cameron)

7th - The first Common Redstart of the year was at Sompting (M.Galtry) and a Goshawk was sighted over Worthing (R.Ives). A few more signs of spring with a Brimstone butterfly in a Ferring garden and a exceptionally early Hummingbird Hawk-moth in East Worthing

6th - A showy Cetti’s Warbler by stream at Brooklands plus another in west side reeds. Goldeneye still and Little Grebes. A singing Chiffchaff at Widewater. 


Black-headed Gull and Cetti's Warbler - Brooklands (R.Allan)

4th - The Goldeneye still remains at Brooklands, 2 Teal and 2 Chiffchaff also reported here. Upto 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls remain at Goring Gap.

3rd - A major improvement in the weather with spring finally in the air, 2 Red Kites moved purposely North East over East Worthing were a pair of Sparrowhawks were also displaying overhead here. A Blackcap was also seen in the same East Worthing garden. A Firecrest was near Downs Barn Sompting and 2 Velvet Scoter were reported offshore from Ferring.

2nd - 6 Egyptian Geese flying west over Sompting Church was a good local record, the female Goldeneye was showing really well in the afternoon from.the concrete steps in Brooklands Park, a pair of Teal and 4 Little Grebes were also around. On the beach were 6 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin, whilst offshore good numbers of Common Gulls were patrolling the beach



Goldeneye and Teal - Brooklands (N.Bond)

1st - Grim conditions again today but this produced some decent Gull numbers at Goring Gap with a influx of Lesser Black-backed Gulls with at least 12 birds present along with 20 plus Great Black-backed Gulls, a 2nd cy Yellow-legged Gull hanging around the south western roost field



Yellow-legged Gull - Goring Gap (N.Bond)

February 2024

29th - A singing Firecrest was singing at Durrington Hill (R.Ives)

28th - A Red-necked Grebe was seen on the sea this morning off Goring Gap (R.Simpson) before drifting out to sea, good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Great-crested Grebes and c10 Red-throated Divers were also noted offshore. A small movement of Brent Geese was recorded too with c145 moving east through the morning. A adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and upto 8 Mediterranean Gulls were in the roost fields

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Goring Gap (N.Bond)

26th - Huge numbers of Common Gulls gathered on the fields at Goring Gap, a conservative estimate of 800 birds, just 4 Mediterranean Gulls were in the area, much the same at Brooklands Park with the Goldeneye still present, 5 Little Grebes, a calling Cetti's Warbler and a Goldcrest by the water treatment works 

Little Grebe - Brooklands Park (R.Allan)

24th - The female Goldeneye still showing well at Brooklands Park, with 4 Little Grebes, 2 Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Bunting

Goldeneye - Brooklands Park

23rd - The female Goldeneye again at Brooklands Park today, a female Blackcap in a West Worthing garden

Blackcap - West Worthing (Emma Cameron)

22nd - A single Shelduck flew west over Angmering village a good garden record for Ralph Simpson!

21st - The wet weather brought a return of some feeding waders on the roost fields at Goring Gap with 25 Turnstones joined by 10 Dunlins, Gulls included 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls.

Dunlin - Goring Gap 

20th - The female Goldeneye still present at Brooklands Park along with a Chiffchaff, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and Cetti's Warbler. Several Mediterranean Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Goring Gap. Several Turnstones still resident on Worthing pier.  

Turnstone - Worthing pier - (Duncan Kay)

16th - A nice flock of 300 plus Common Gulls were on the fields at Goring Gap today, just a single Lesser Black-backed Gull and 10 Mediterranean Gulls, also 3 Stonechat in the area and Skylarks are finding their singing voices. 

15th - A dozen or so Mediterranean Gulls were feeding on the greensward  along with a sizeable flock of Black-headed Gulls including the German ringed Mediterranean Gull from the 13th.

Mediterranean Gull - Goring (N.Bond)

14th - 24 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Goring Gap on a very wet and windy day. News and a photo reached us today of a 1st winter Shag sat on Worthing pier recently.


Shag - Worthing Pier (Tracey Morris)
Shag is not very common in this area. I can find records for 121 different days this century from Worthing/Goring beaches.  Usually just one bird but three on three dates and two on 13 days. The monthly distribution of bird days is Jan (15), Feb (11), Mar (4), Apr (14), May (9), Jun (2), Jul (3), Aug (13), Sep (12), Oct (17), Nov(20) and Dec (20). (J.Newnham)

13th - Only reports today were again from Goring Gap, where Mediterranean Gull numbers have built up to just over 40 on the fields including 2 ringed individuals (German and Belgium rung). 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present in the roost too




Common Gull, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gull both close to breeding plumage and the German ringed Mediterranean Gull (N.Bond)

12th February - Approximately 30 Mediterranean Gulls were at Goring Gap.

11th - Yellowhammers are usually seen around Cissbury Ring, this bird was seen by Duncan Kay


9th - A few interesting reports today, a female Hen Harrier north of Cissbury flew west over Stump Bottom, a Rose-ringed Parakeet flew over Palmerston Avenue, Goring and a single Brent Goose was on the roost fields brieflt at Goring Gap.

8th - A 1st winter Caspian Gull was found in the gull roost at Goring Gap and as per usual did not hang around too long. 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls were here too. 


Capian Gull - Goring Gap (N.Bond)

7th - 15 Mediterranean Gulls of various ages on the roost fields at Goring Gap mid-morning. The female Goldeneye still around at Brooklands Park lake.

6th - Good number of Common Gulls were commuting between the roost fields and bech at Goring Gap at lunchtime.

5th - A Slavonian Grebe was seen on the sea this morning off Sea Lane Cafe, a good number of Gannet were also recorded going west here. 31 Turnstones, 48 Oystercatchers, 16 Sanderlings and 9 Mediterranean Gulls were at Goring Gap

4th - 4 Mediterranean Gulls were seen with Black-headed Gulls off Sea Lane cafe this morning with c20 Sanderlings also here

Black-headed Gull (left) and Mediterranean Gull (right) - D.Kay

2nd - 3 Stonechats were still at Goring Gap, with at least 40 Sanderling on the shoreline and a few Grey Plover. 2 Mediterranean Gulls were on the fields, a Merlin was also seen at Highdown Hill


Stonechat - Goring Gap - N.Bond

1st - 3 Stonechat remain at Goring Gap around the rough field area where it has emerged a licence application has been placed to sell alcohol on the land! Good sele tin of the usual waders offshore here at low tide with at least 14 Grey Plover being noteworthy.

January 2024

New Year - The latest sightings is back!

30th - 22 Mediterranean Gulls on the fields at Goring Gap is a sign perhaps of birds starting to move through, 32 Pintail were also observed flying west offshore

29th - A Firecrest was with 2 Goldcrests and a Blackcap on Romany Road, a dozen Redwing were still in the area too. 

28th - 66 Red-throated Divers were recorded moving east off Ferring beach (C.Hope) whilst a Fulmar and a c25 Great-crested Grebes were the highlights off from Marine Gardens (J.Newnham). A Black Redstart was a nice find in the caravan park just west of Widewater (M.Galtry), the female Goldeneye was still at Brooklands(K.Galtry)

27th - Good numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares around No Man's Land (M.Galtry), 

26th- Female Goldeneye still at Brooklands Park, with 5 Teal, Water Rail and singing Cetti's Warbler here (R.Simpson) 2 Egyptian Geese were still at Patching Pond

25th - The female Goldeneye again at Brooklands Park the only highlight reported today

24th - A Rose-Ringed Parakeet was heard over St.Lawrences Avenue (feels strange calling them as such after many years being known as Ring-necked!), at Brooklands Park the female Goldeneye remains, with Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff still around, whilst upto 23 Mute Swan were at Widewater with a few Redshanks, a pair of Stonechats and Little Grebe here. 




Goldeneye, Redshank and Stonechat (R.Allan)

23rd - 15 Mediterranean Gulls were on the roost fields at Goring Gap mid-morning along with 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 9 Dunlin were around and 26 Oystercatchers on the beach here

22nd - 2 Egyptian Geese were at Patching Pond (R.Simpson), good number of Redwing were feasting on the Cotton-easter berries on Romany Toad/Faraday Close junction. At least 87 Lapwing were on the fields west of Sompting Church.

21st - Only news reported today was that of the female Goldeneye at Brooklands Park.

20th - A Merlin was seen early doors flying south over Adur Avenue (M.Galtry) and c30 Lapwings were still in the fields west of Sompting Church (T.Sadler), the female Goldeneye remains at Brooklands Park.

19th - 1 Slavonian Grebe was still off Worthing pier (C.Jupp) and Lapwings were still present in the field west of Sompting Church (M.Galtry)

18th - 2 Slavonian Grebes were spotted on the sea from Worthing Pier with a Great-crested Grebe driving westward (C.Jupp)

17th - Some belated sea-watching news 3 Velvet Scoter E, 1 Brent Goose W, 35 Great-crested Grebes, 40 Razorbills, 125 auks, 3 Mediterranean Gulls at Marine Gardens (R.Ives)

16th - Worthing Hospital's wintering Black Redstart still present in the Friend's Cafe courtyard. (First seen early December) (T. Sandler), 30 Lapwing on downs north of Cissbury along track to Chanctonbury this afternoon (N.Oliver) and the female Goldeneye reported again at Brooklands Park

15th - Lapwings featured today with small cold weather movement, with c25 seen in the sheep fields between Sompting Church and Lanbleys Lane (M.Galtry), with another 8 just east of Stump bottom (N.Bond). At Goring Gap 47 Great Crested Grebes, 31 Red-breasted Mergansers , c30 Dunlins, c15 Sanderlings, 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Grey Plovers, 52 Oystercatchers were logged (R.Simpson)

14th - A Great-northern Diver was seen on the sea off Worthing pier at lunchtime (C.Jupp), otherwise it was similar news to that of the last few days with good numbers of birds offshore. 2 Mediterranean Gulls were at Goring Gap (R.Allan) and the female Goldeneye remains.

13th - A similar story to what was reported yesterday, with the Goldeneye still present at Brooklands and plenty of activity still for the sea-watchers..Good numbers of Gannets are also being seen off our shores. 40 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plovers were at Goring Gap

12th - The female Goldeneye was still at Brooklands Park favouring the southern end, other highlights here included 8 Teal and a Chiffchaff. The sea had plenty of coverage and a large westward passage of auks mainly Razorbills were noted aswell as Red-throated Divers. There was also good numbers of Great-crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers logged on the sea. 


The female Goldeneye at Brooklands (N.Bond)

11th - Another cold bright day resulted in a few more reports today, the popular female Goldeneye remained at Brooklands Park on the south eastern end of the lake. At Goring Gap 13 Dunlin, 5 Mediterranean Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were on the fields whilst on the sea 25 Great-crested Grebes, 5 lRed-throated Divers and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers were noted (N.Bond/Richard @hallybirder on twitter). Similar numbers were seen from Marine Gardens with the exception of a Great-northern Diver east. A couple of Little Grebes, a Kingfisher and a Snipe were at Ferring Rife (C.Hope)



A Mediterranean Gull and a Lester Black-backed Gull (N.Bond)

10th - The female Goldeneye was still at Brooklands Park which attracted a few visitors, some stats here kindly forwarded by J.Newnham (This the first Goldeneye on Brooklands since a male on 19/10/2004. Up to four (Jan-Feb 1968) recorded in 12 years between 1963-2004). Elsewhere 4 Ringed Plovers were with 14 Dunlin at Goring Gap 



Female Goldeneye (R.Allan)

9th - The first proper cold snap of the winter grounded 5 Lapwing at Goring Gap with a few Mediterranean Gulls still around and 4 Skylark and 2 Stonechat present (N.Bond/C.Hope). The local highlight was reported on the SOS sightings page with news that there was a female Goldeneye present on the Brooklands Park lake, a very good record for the site!




Goring Gap - Lapwing and Skylark (N.Bond)

8th - Ferring rife was quiet with just a Chiffchaff and a Snipe of note (B.Forbes), whilst at Goring Gap held 14 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 11 Great Black-backed Gulls on the roost field (N.Bond). A sea-watch by J.Newnham at Marine Gardens from 9.30 - 10.30am produced over 30 Great-crested Grebes offshore which was his largest count this winter, whilst movement included Red-throated Diver 1W, 35E, Cormorant 1E, Shelduck 5W, Common Scoter 1E, Red-breasted Merganser 2W, 4E, Black-headed Gull 5E, Auk sp 20W, 1E

7th - A sea-watch off Ferring from 8.15 - 9.15am produced Red-throated Diver 33E, 4W, Great-crested Grebe 8 on the sea, 4E, Common Scoter 5E (C.Hope)

4th - 11 Dunlin, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls were at Goring Gap (N.Bond)

3rd - 15 Chiffchaffs were at Patching treatment works whilst Goring Gap hosted 40 Dunlin and 2 Mediterranean Gulls (R.Ives)

2nd - 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Great Black-backed Gulls were at Goring Gap (N.Bond)

1st - On the beach opposite Brooklands Park hosted 155 Dunlin, 10 Turnstone and 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers flew west as did a single Mediterranean Gull. A Chiffchaff, 3 Teal and 2 Cetti's Warblers were of note in the park (N.Bond) A Firecrest was seen in Broadwater Cemetery and a Little Gull was seen moving west offshore of Ferring block (C.Jupp)



Brooklands Beach - Turnstone and roosting Dunlin  (N.Bond)

27th May 2022

ANGMERING: 3 BEE-EATERS flew over calling  moving distantly to the south east (RS)

A STRIPED HAWK-MOTH was trapped also in a private garden (GP)



STRIPED HAWK-MOTH (GP/GDM)

24th May 2022

FERRING: I’m 90% sure I’ve just had a Striped Hawkmoth down Ferring Rife very briefly feeding - shot off before I could get a pic! Red Kite over Ferring Country Centre earlier and the fully lecustic/Albino Starling is still about. A White-tailed Eagle also flew over east (GK)


17th May 2022

WEST WORTHING: Painted Lady butterfly on beach (EC)