27th February 2018

FERRING RIFE: Highlights included a Kingfisher. a Water Rail and a Redwing, along with the wintering Buzzard and male Stonechat. Other birders reported eight Snipe. GJ/DKC

GORING GAP: A Great Northern Diver on the sea was the clear highlight offshore. The sea also produced four Teal, three Red-throated Divers, six Gannets, and an influx of 28 Great Crested Grebes, these perhaps pushed off inland water bodies by the ice. Also clearly affected by the conditions were Lapwings, with 30 birds seen during the day, all but one of which were seen to arrive directly off the sea, no doubt escaping inhospitable feeding grounds on the continent. A Curlew moving purposefully and distantly east might have had similiar story.

The weather had a noticeable effect on passerines, resulting in an arrival at the Gap involving two Chiffchaffs, 20 Meadow Pipits, 16 Fieldfares, eight Redwings and a new female Stonechat (the wintering male was also present). Some of the nine Skylarks noted were probably also fresh in.

Other sightings included two adult Mediterranean Gulls and 32 Grey Plovers. DKC/GJ

Chiffchaff (DKC)

Skylark (DKC)

new female Stonechat (DKC)
Lapwings (DKC)
Lapwings (DKC)

WORTHING: An adult male Black Redstart was seen in the Worthing Hospital car park early afternoon. GT