28th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: AVOCET opposite airfield; also two Shelducks, Greenshank, Mute Swan, 14 Teal, Little Grebe, 13 Oystercatchers, Lapwing, 10 Turnstones, seven Snipe, nine Redshanks, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron and Kingfisher. Gareth James

BROOKLANDS PARK: Harbour Porpoise moving west close inshore. Mike Galtry

GORING: A bright morning but with a chill breeze from the north. Fairly quiet: Fulmar 1W, Red-throated Diver 2W 1E, diver sp 2W, Great Crested Grebe 1E 2 on sea, Red-breasted Merganser 32E 36 on sea, Sandwich Tern 1E, Razorbill 1W. Dave Smith and Dorian Mason via SOS

    Raven flew NW over garden this morning. John Feest

WEST WORTHING: Raven, Siskin, Peregrine and Grey Wagtail flew over Boundary Road. David Campbell

27th February 2021

CISSBURY RING: DARTFORD WARBLER still. Mike and Karen Galtry

GORING GAP: VELVET SCOTER landed on sea off block, four TUFTED DUCKS flew west, four Shovelers east, Wigeon east, four Dark-bellied Brent Geese (one east, three in fields), 14 Red-throated Divers, Mute Swan east and three Great Crested Grebes. Nick Bond

PATCHING: TUFTED DUCK on Patching Pond and Red Kite over The World's End. Gareth James

WEST WORTHING: Two Siskins and 21 Chaffinches east, plus Grey Wagtail, Blackcap, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush and Goldcrest from garden on Boundary Road. David Campbell

26th February 2021

CISSBURY RING: My first butterflies of the year on a lockdown walk in the sun today. Brimstone on the South Downs near CissburyRing and this rather sorry looking Peacock. Andy Ashdown

GORING GAP: RED-NECKED GREBE off west end late afternoon then drifted west. Mike Galtry. Early morning produced 2 Brent Geese on the fields and similar numbers of waders as yesterday. A total of 16 Red-throated Divers were logged including a party of 9, 2 of which were in partial summer plumage. A Curlew flew east as did 4 Wigeon. A group of 30c waders, (probably Dunlin) flew east and seemed to be on the move. Nick Bond/Ralph Simpson/Gareth James 

LANCING: Five Buzzards flew west. Bernie Forbes via SOS

MARINE GARDENS:

7.45-8.45am John Newnham

10.16-10.46am David Campbell

UPPER ADUR: Two Ravens, a Peregrine and a Little Egret near the cement works. Steve Gilbert via SOS

SALVINGTON: 2 Redwing flew north over  at dawn, also 2 Rooks flew south west. A Goldcrest was in full song on Offington Lane and 2 Buzzards went over at lunchtime. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM FORT: Black Redstart.

SOMPTING: Female/1st-winter male Black Redstart again in garden, and a Peregrine flew over. Shemi via SOS

WEST WORTHING: Redwing, Peregrine and Grey Wagtail over Boundary Road. David Campbell

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Kingfisher. Alan Kitson via SOS

25th February 2021

ANGMERING: 2 Blackcap in private garden on Downs Way. Garry Messenbird

GORING GAP: 7 Brent Geese and 50c Dunlin still on the roost field. A Stonechat and 6 Greenfinch at pumping station. A Rock Pipit and 130c Turnstones and 100c Sanderling on beach. Mediterranean Gull numbers still building in the area. A Meadow Pipit over was probably a spring migrant. Nick Bond. 

A GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, a BLACK-THROATED DIVER and a SLAVONIAN GREBE were on the sea midday,  a female GOLDENEYE flew east, as did 5 Red-throated Divers. 32 Mediterranean Gulls on the fields, 1 Meadow Pipit. Garry Messenbird

Mediterranean Gull (Nick Bond)

MARINE GARDENS: 7.37-9.37am David Campbell:

WEST WORTHING: Raven and Grey Wagtail at Boundary Road. David Campbell

24th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: 32+ Mediterranean Gulls and Kingfisher. Richard Fairbank via SOS. Also 350 Common Gulls, two Little Grebes, singing Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and several Redshanks. Steve Gilbert via SOS

GORING GAP: Adult Yellow-legged Gull, 122 Mediterranean Gulls and seven Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Garry Messenbird. 142 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew east by 9.45am; also c200 Sanderlings, c50 Dunlin and 32 Turnstones. Ralph Simpson

GORING: Five Eiders, four Red-throated Divers, two Great Crested Grebes, 70 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, nine Pintail, a Common Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser and a Mediterranean Gull flew past. 9.50-11.20am Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: 7.55-9.10am John Newnham:

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Two Purple Sandpipers still on wooden jetty opposite Shoreham Fort.

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Redshank, two Little Egrets, a Little Grebe, five Mute Swans and three Mallards. John Feest via SOS. Four Mediterranean Gulls flew east and a Sanderling.

23rd February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Knot still, at least seven adult Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Grebe, 20 Redshanks, a Teal and 10 Oystercatchers. Steve Gilbert via SOS

THE DOWNS: 22 Corn Buntings, 20 Yellowhammers, Reed Bunting, two Stonechats and 25 Stock Doves. 

GORING GAP: Golden Plover still and five Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Nick Bond. Also 17 Mediterranean Gulls. Garry Messenbird

Golden Plover and Brent Geese (Nick Bond)

HEENE CEMETERY: Blackcap and Lesser Black-backed Gull. David Campbell

MARINE GARDENS: 7.46-10.16am David Campbell

SHOREHAM SAILING CLUB: Black Redstart still and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

SOUTHWICK: Blackcap at Cross Road. Paul and Bridget James

SLONK HILL: c50 Greenfinches. Paul and Bridget James

UPPER ADUR: 11 adult Mediterranean Gulls south of Cuckoo Corner.

WEST WORTHING: Grey Wagtail. David Campbell

WIDEWATER LAGOON: 18 Red-throated Divers, c60 Dark-bellies Brent Geese and four Mediterranean Gulls.

22nd February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Three Knot still in houseboat channel. 

GORING GAP: Golden Plover, Grey Plover, five Brent Geese, nine Mediterranean Gulls, c160 Sanderlings, 23 Red-breasted Mergansers and 14 Great Crested Grebes. Ralph Simpson/Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: 16 Oystercatchers flew west in the evening. David Campbell

SALVINGTON: Wigeon heard after dark. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM: ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET at St.Mary de Haura Church.

UPPER ADUR: Four Mediterranean Gulls in flooded field between Botolphs and A283.

WEST WORTHING: Grey Wagtail flew over Boundary Road. Redwing over after dark. David Campbell

WIDEWATER LAGOON: The sea, between Lancing Sailing club and Widewater, at 1st light this morning produced 4 Great-crested Grebes, 2 Black-throated Divers on the sea and a west flying Velvet Scoter close to shore. Louisa Sadler. Two Mediterranean Gulls.

21st February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Three Knot, Greenshank and Grey Wagtail in houseboats channel. 

GORING: Little has been seen in the last few mornings off Goring beach, but it was an improvement today. 08.45 to 11.20, the highlights were a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER flying W & leading a much smaller Red-throated Diver at 10.04, a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER E trailing a Red-throated Diver at 11.05, and a male GOOSANDER W at 09.09. Also three Red-throated Divers W with 25 E, 1 Brent Goose W with 19 E, three Common Scoters W with nine E, 20 Great Crested Grebes on the sea, one Teal E, six Red-breasted Mergansers E, one Grey Plover W, 11 Turnstones W, a Mediterranean Gull W, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius E. Dave Smith via SOS

HIGHDOWN AREA: Lovely warm afternoon walk in West Durrington to foot of Highdown Hill produced c400 Black-headed Gulls feeding on fields and a Red Kite soaring overhead. There were three Moorhens on pond by Northbrook College on the A259 and another four at Northbrook pond with a pair of Mallard. A pair of Greenfinches by Southern Water building in Yeoman Rd. Nice stroll. John Feest via SOS

MARINE GARDENS: 8.43-10.13am David Campbell:

WEST WORTHING: Blackcap in garden and Grey Wagtail flew over. David Campbell

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Red-breasted Merganser, three Teal, two Mute Swans, a Little Egret, a Redshank and a Great Crested Grebe. James Aldridge via SOS

WORTHING PIER: 12 Brent Geese flew east at c1pm. James Aldridge via SOS

20th February 2021

 MARINE GARDENS: 7.07-10.07am David Campbell and Nick Bond

SHOREHAM: 1st-winter CASPIAN GULL on pontoon west of Southwick Canal, plus two Peregrines but no sign of Eider. Two Mistle Thrushes. Steve Gilbert via SOS

SOMPTING: Female/1st-winter male Black Redstart still in garden. Shemi via SOS

WEST TARRING: Female/1st-winter male Black Redstart in garden. Stuart Wakeham via SOS

19th February 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: A female TUFTED DUCK, 13 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Great-black backed Gull on the main lake in a quick visit. Nick Bond. Water Rail was also seen again just south of the boardwalk. Nick and Claire Oliver

Tufted Duck (Nick Bond)

GORING GAP: Three Dark-bellied Brent Geese in fields. Derek via SOS

MARINE GARDENS: 7.38-9.08am, David Campbell:

UPPER ADUR: Mediterranean Gull with 150 Common Gulls and also 2 Peregrines at Botolphs this morning. No sign of the Ruff (or the Lapwing it was with). Paul James

WEST WORTHING: Blackcap in garden. David Campbell

WIDEWATER: 14:00-14:30 7 Pintail west, 17 Brent Geese east + adult Mediterranean Gull. Nick and Claire Oliver

18th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Curlew, four Grey Plovers and 'some' Wigeon. Shemi via SOS

BROOKLANDS PARK: TUFTED DUCK. Shemi via SOS

HEENE CEMETERY: Blackcap, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk, four Jackdaws and Coal Tit. David Campbell

MARINE GARDENS:

7.48-8.48am. David Campbell

PATCHING: Four Chiffchaffs , a Goldcrest and c.15-20 Redwings around the treatment works. Clive Hope

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Dark-bellied Brent Goose on beach opposite Harbour Club in afternoon. Chris Corrigan via SOS

SOMPTING: Female/1st-winter male Black Redstart in garden. Also Sparrowhawk. Shemi via SOS

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Drake Red-breasted Merganser on lagoon; offshore seven Great Crested Grebes, 10 auks, 12 divers and a Gannet. Shemi via SOS

WORTHING PIER: 167 Turnstones on east jetty at high tide in afternoon. John Feest

Turnstones on Worthing pier (Ellen Prockter)

17th February 2021

PATCHING POND: 2 drake TUFTED DUCKS. Ralph Simpson/Clive Hope

GORING BEACH: (Alinora shelter) 07:35 to 08:35 highlights Red-throated Diver 20E, Brent Geese 7E, Mediterranean Gull 5E, Eider 4E, Red-breasted Merganser 24. Ralph Simpson

GORING GAP: 2 Brent Geese. Ralph Simpson, also 35 Grey Plover and 1 Lesser-black Backed Gull at 13.00. Clive Hope 

16th February 2021

 MARINE GARDENS:

David Campbell and John Newnham

15th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Greenshank, 30 Redshanks, nine Turnstones, eight Oystercatchers, three Dunlin, three Little Grebes, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and Cetti's Warbler. Steve Gilbert via SOS

BOTOLPHS/COOMBES: RUFF still and three Golden Plovers in field west of River Adur and south of A283. GOOSANDER and Common Sandpiper between cement works and Cuckoo Corner. Nick Oliver

GORING GAP: 44 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in fields. Clive Hope/Ralph Simpson. Also 8 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Lesser-black Backed Gull, 18 Great-black backed Gulls, 225 Dunlin. Garry Messenbird

Brent Geese (Ralph Simpson)

MARINE GARDENS:

David Campbell

SHOREHAM SAILING CLUB: Fem/1w.male BLACK REDSTART still this morning. Richard Fairbank via SOS

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Eight Teal, two Redshanks, Dunlin and a Little Egret. Steve Gilbert via SOS

14th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Eight Wigeon on RSPB reserve then flushed by kayaks.

GORING BEACH: this morning brisk SSE, cold. 08.40 - 11.25:- Red-throated Diver 7W 22E, Diver sp. 4W Gannet 11W 37E, Brent Goose 13E, Pintail 13E, Red-breasted Merganser 26 W 8E Common Gull 7E, Kittiwake 2W 12E, Guillemot 1E, Razorbill 8W, Auk sp. 257W 14E. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: from 2pm to 3.30. Had 2 Goosander east, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 82 Red-throated Diver, 3rdw Yellow-legged Gull, 2ndw Scandinavian Herring Gull, 6 adult Mediterranean Gull on roost field at goring. Garry Messenbird

MARINE GARDENS: 7.49-10.19am below, David Campbell

WIDEWATER: Decent sea watch late am/ early pm. Highlights 1 Black-throated Diver in the sea plus another/ same E, 6 Pintail E. also 12 Brent Geese E, 275+ Red-throated Diver, 700+ auks and a Red-breasted Merganser

13th January 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: 4 Gadwall and 3 Shelduck on Adur opposite airport, female Goosander just south of cuckoo corner, a Snipe in the ditch there. A Rock Pipit behind the coffee truck by the Toll bridge

BROOKLANDS: was quite interesting this morning with 3 Gadwall, 2 drake Shoveler, 25 Teal but no passerines at all. Richard Ives. Also upto 5 Gadwall, and a Tufted Duck. Mike and Karen Galtry

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: The drake Eider was superb in Shoreham canal, no Purple Sandpipers at the harbour just one Rock Pipit and one Meadow Pipit. Richard Ives. Also an adult Gannet on the canal just east of the lockgates. Paul and Bridget James

12th January 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: 3 Gadwall (2drakes), 1 Pochard, 1 Water Rail (on island at South end of lake) 1 Firecrest by the stream, Cettis Warbler. Nick Bond

 

Water Rail and Gadwall (Nick Bond)

GORING BEACH: Less movement this morning 09.40 to 10.40:- Red-throated Diver 4W 25E, 10 on sea Diver sp. 3E Fulmar 1E Gannet 4W 22E Great-crested Grebe 1E, Red-breasted Merganser 5W 16E Mediterranean Gull 1E Kittiwake 13E Auk sp. 16W 64E. Dave Smith. A Great-northern Diver was on the sea here. Richard Ives

GORING GAP: 545 Gannet east, 165 Kittiwake east, 10 Red-throated Diver west, 12 adult Mediterranean Gulls, ad luesistic Black headed Gull, 18 Lapwing in off flew wnw. Garry Messenbird

UPPER ADUR: The Ruff was still present in fields between St.Boltolphs Church and the A283, good numbers of Lapwing, Redwings, Fieldfares, 30 Common Snipe at least, a couple of Stonechats and a Kestrel

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: A drake Eider was just inside the recording area just east of the lock gates at Southwick ship canal, was previously reported yesterday on the Sussex birders Facebook page. 

11th February 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: Two GADWALL.

GORING: Seawatching was very good from Goring beach today, with a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER E with Red-throated Divers at 09.04, then a PUFFIN (only the second I've seen off here in 45 years) E with a Razorbill at 09.48. Also 71 Red-throated Divers, 390 Gannets, 125 auk sp, 8 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, 25 Kittiwakes, 5 Brent Geese and 8 Common Scoters. A 2.5 hours watch. Dave Smith

NORTH LANCING: Male Blackcap in garden. Duncan Livingstone via SOS

SALVINGTON: The female Blackcap still and a Goldcrest in Durrington rec. Nick Bond

UPPER ADUR: Common Sandpiper on River Adur near Dacre Gardens. Alan Kitson via SOS

Amazing to see 200+ Redwings feeding in a field along with 10 Fieldfares, 8 Lapwings and a couple of Meadow Pipits opposite St Boltophs. The Ruff was feeding with 10 Lapwings and a pair of Ravens went over. A Common Sandpiper was on the Adur along with 2 Little Egrets at the cement works. Richard Ives

WEST WORTHING: Trektellen log here.

10th February 2021

ANGMERING: A Red Kite over Downs Way east and a Raven over NW. Garry Messenbird

BOTOLPHS: RUFF still with 145 Lapwing this morning in field to south of A283 road bridge. Paul James Still present mid-afternoon. Gareth James

Ruff, Botolphs (Gareth James)

GORING: Five Red-throated Divers, 12+ Red-breasted Mergansers and a few Gannets offshore late morning. 'Loads' of Dunlin at the Gap. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: 3 Golden Plovers on roost field at lunchtime briefly before flying off east. Garry Messenbird

MARINE GARDENS: A seawatch 8.23-10.23am produced four Dark-bellied Brent Geese, six Wigeon, 92 Red-throated Divers, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 22 Gannets, 13 Kittiwakes, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 187 auks, 40 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Ringed Plover, three Turnstones, a Dunlin, 11 Sanderlings and a Grey Seal. David Campbell

10-10.15am Off the shelter this morning 2 Shelduck (1st of the year for me!), 10 Red throated Divers, 2 Kittiwakes, 10 Gannets, 2 Common Scoter, 50 Razorbills, 50 auk sp. Not bad for 15 minutes. Richard Ives

SALVINGTON: Female Blackcap in garden again on Rogate Road. Nick Bond

9th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Plenty to see between the Tollbridge and Norfolk Bridge at Shoreham. Lapwing, Linnets, Oystercatchers, Turnstone, Dunlin, Great Black-backed Gulls, Ringed Plovers, Shelduck and single Peregrine high up in the sky. James Ellis via SOS. Also Knot, Sanderling and Greenshank

BOTOLPHS: RUFF in flooded field with 130+ Lapwings between River Adur and A283; also 

GORING GAP: 4 Brent Geese mid-morning in the SW roost field, 12 Great-black backed Gulls and a Lesser-black Backed Gull, 2 Stonechats and 2 Skylark. Nick Bond

Later on 20 Mediterranean Gulls and 14 Grey Plover. Garry Messenbird

MARINE GARDENS:  Seawatch details below 8.40-11.20am, John Newnham/David Campbell

 
Present: Red-breasted Merganser 8, Red-throated Diver 1, Great Crested Grebe 2, Ringed Plover 1, Turnstone 1, Sanderling 1, Mediterranean Gull 3*, Common Gull 10, Razorbill 10

Totals: 485 individuals, 16 (+5) species, 2:40 hours

                                               W     E                                        W    E                                           W      E                                     

Teal		8		19		Cormorant		-		1		Common Gull		10		4
Common Scoter		2		-		Oystercatcher		-		1		Guillemot		-		5
Red-breasted Merganser		1		14		Grey Plover		-		2		Razorbill/Guillemot		59		221
Red-throated Diver		8		55		Dunlin		-		1		Razorbill		-		21
diver sp.		1		1		Kittiwake		-		1
Gannet		1		38		Black-headed Gull		11		-

 

SALVINGTON: Female Blackcap still in garden on Rogate Road. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: Two Purple Sandpipers on wooden jetty at high tide.

STEYNING: Blackcap in garden. Peter Chase via SOS

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Three GADWALL, three Shoveler, 37 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 28 Shelducks, adult Mediterranean Gull, Guillemot, 29 Red-throated Divers, a Fulmar, seven diver sp and 55 Gannets past 7.40-9.40am. 

8th February 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: Four Shovelers, seven Redwings.

CISSBURY RING: A noticeable arrival of thrushes around Stump Bottom and No Mans Land at least 60+ Blackbirds 30+ Song Thrushes 15+ Redwings and 6+ Fieldfare compared to recent visits. Plenty of feeding activity along field edges with 10+ Chaffinches,  and plenty of  Robins and Dunnocks and a Ringtail HEN HARRIER flew through about 15;00 with prey in its talons. Along Monach’s Way only 10 Yellowhammers and 2 Stonechats whilst two Mistle Thrushes flew north over Findon Valley towards  Cissbury. Nick and Claire Oliver

GORING BEACH: The sea was given a fair amount of coverage today by several observers, some duplication in sightings may occur but best summarised below:

Additional to this Red-throated Divers 11 E  (in later 30 min period),Gannet 12 E, Brent Goose 25W (0945-1000), Shelduck 1W, Eider 4W, Red-breasted Merganser c.20 on sea in both periods - odd ones got up and flew and landed again. Auks probably another 600 W in the 15 mins to 10.00. In the second period very few moving just odd ones relocating E. Usual waders on shore inc 2 Redshank that seem to have hung around here for some time. More Grey Plover (12 plus) flying in from the west. Clive Hope

10..40 to 11.40am, movement still fairly brisk and tailing off Red-throated Diver 35E 1W Black-throated Diver 1E with 2 Red-throateds Gannet 2W 126E, Red-breasted Merganser 19 o/s Lapwing 10W, Oystercatcher 2E, Dunlin 12E, Sanderling 2E, Turnstone 2E, Mediterranean Gull 5W 1E, Kittiwake 1E, Razorbill 3E, Auk sp. 125E, 2W. Dave Smith

ADUR ESTUARY: Two Knot opposite airport.

GORING GAP: Black-throated Diver west this am, a few Red-throated Divers, 60 Brent Geese, 1 on field, 10 Wigeon, 3 Teal, alot of auks & Gannets, 7 Lapwing west along coast. Garry Messenbird

MARINE GARDENS: A Sandwich Tern, 10 Lapwings, four Kittiwakes, a Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 52 Red-throated Divers, five Great Crested Grebes, 31 Turnstones, three Sanderlings, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 30 Razorbills, 838 auks, 42 Dunlin, seven Oystercatchers, 181 Gannets, five Great Crested Grebes, 21 Red-breasted Mergansers 11am-1pm. David Campbell

Between 0845 and 0945 I logged the following. John Newnham

SALVINGTON: Female Blackcap still in garden on Rogate Road. Nick Bond

SHOREHAM HARBOUR: GREEN SANDPIPER and Rock Pipit.

UPPER ADUR: RUFF, GOOSANDER, four Snipe, three Little Egrets and two Stonechats at Cuckoo Corner.
Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail near cement works.

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Black-throated Diver, 41 Wigeon, Shelduck, 3 Teal, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 500 auks, six Red-throated Divers, 100+ Gannets, adult Mediterranean Gull, Meadow Pipit and 202 Dunlin. 

7th February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: Four Grey Plovers, 30 Dunlin /Ringed Plover (yesterday 800 Common Gulls). Alan Kitson via SOS

ANGMERING: 2 Blackcaps in private garden on Downs Way. Garry Messenbird

BROADWATER: 2 Blackcaps in private garden. Andy Ashdown

FERRING: I wrapped up for an hour's look at the sea and beach this morning (0915-1015) from the shelter of the tamarisks and saw: Red-throated Diver 13 E and 2-3 on sea, GC Grebe 12 on sea, Teal two flocks of 12 and 14 W, Red breasted Merganser 15 on sea, Auk sp c.40 flying well offshore, a huge gull flock (c.300) on the horizon I suspect were Kittiwakes. On the beach were around 70 each of Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstone, 2 Redshanks, a dozen Oystercatchers and 5 Grey Plovers. Some of the waders were very tame coming to within a few feet of me. Clive Hope

GORING: 8.55-12.10pm: SHAG on sea, 30 Red-throated Divers (21e, 9w), 6 Great Crested Grebes (1e, 1w, 4os), 58 Gannets (53e, 5w), four Dark-bellied Brent Geese (2e, 2w), 13 Common Scoters west, 32 Red-breasted Mergansers (2e, 11w, 20os), Mediterranean Gull west, 594 Kittiwakes (353e, 241w), five Razorbills (2e, 3w) and 908 auks (105w, 803w). Dave Smith

MARINE GARDENS: Seawatch 7.40 - 8.30am Red-throated Divers 18E 1W 2 on sea, 12 Gannets, two Mediterranean Gulls, c500 auks, c300 Razorbills, 22 Red-breasted Mergansers, 14 Great Crested Grebes, four Oystercatchers and a Peregrine. Nick Bond

SALVINGTON: Female Blackcap in garden. Nick Bond

Blackcap and Blue Tit (Nick Bond)

6th February 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: The drake Pochard and 3 Teals on the lake, a Great-spotted Woodpecker and a Redwing on the golf course. Nick Bond

GORING GAP: 3 Slavonian Grebes and 10 Red-throated Divers offshore nd 16 Mediterranean Gulls around this afternoon. Garry Messenbird

MARINE GARDENS: seawatch 7.35 - 8.05am 28 Red-throated Divers east and a couple on the sea, 2 Shelduck were also on the sea and a good smattering of Great-crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers. For a change any auks moving were identifiable with 14 Razorbills moving west and a single east. A couple of Kittiwakes, 5 Common Scoter and 3 Oystercatchers moved east. Nick Bond

WEST WORTHING: 2 Ravens on St.Boltolphs Church. David Campbell

5th February 2021

CISSBURY RING: A Dartford Warbler still present 250m west if trig point.  Nick and Claire Oliver

SOMPTING: A long walk on the downs from Sompting  was rather successful. Starting off in thick fog which soon lifted to reveal blue skies I was constantly accompanied by singing Skylarks, even in the fog they were belting out their song. A Corn Bunting was in full song although seeing it in the fog was not easy, later on a small flock of Corn Buntings, Yellowhammer and Linnet were bathing in a puddle in the middle of the track. The stunning yellow of the male bunting looking pristine in the bright sunshine. Out of the sun a harrier flew past which was quickly id as a female HEN HARRIER by its bulk. Unfortunately.  I only viewed the harrier in binoculars therefore I was not able to age this bird, that I will leave to more expert observers. In one of the overgrown hedgerows a fine male DARTFORD WARBLER sat out briefly before disappearing in front of my eyes. Also noted on the walk 5 Common Buzzard ,4 Red Kite and at least 3 Raven. plus 4 Stonechat and 2 Reed Bunting. Bernie Forbes

WIDEWATER LAGOON: A late morning visit produced a preening Kingfisher at the east end of the lagoon, its reflection beautifully mirrored in the still water, and a Grey Wagtail at the west end. In between were six Mute Swans, four Mallard and two Redshanks. A Dunnock singing. I was not optically well-equipped for serious sea watching, but opposite the west end of the beach huts there was a raft of auks offshore (which had moved off by the time of my return walk), which judging by recent reports were probably wholly or mainly Razorbills. Also sightings of Great Crested Grebes and Red-throated Divers, and six Brent Geese flying E. Steve Gilbert via SOS

4th February 2021

BROOKLANDS PARK: The drake POCHARD still and a pair of Teal this afternoon. Nick Bond/Gareth James

   Some highlights from Brooklands this morning: Chiffchaff, flock of 10 Chaffinches, Redwing and Song Thrush. Sea opposite park brought first (for me) this year Fulmarheading W, also 3 Brent Geese going opposite. And lots of activity further out, Razorbills (hundreds), Gannets and Red-throated Divers.

GORING BEACH: 09.00 - 11.00 SW 1 backing SE 2 , rain from 10.45:- Red-throated Diver 9W 2E Gannet 74W, 29E Shag 1 flew in from E to land on sea. Red-breasted Merganser 1W only Mediterranean Gull 2W, 2 with Black-headed Gulls on beach green Kittiwake 6W Razorbill 1W Auk sp. 780W 40E. Dave Smith

GORING GAP: 8.10 - 8.55 37 Red-throated Divers E, 6 on sea, 5 Gannets E, Great-crested Grebes 12 on sea, 47 Oystercatchers amongst the normal waders on beach, 1 Lesser-black backed Gull and 4 Mediterranean Gulls. Nick Bond

LANCING: Female/1st-winter male Black Redstart in garden. Shemi via SOS

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Two Shelducks, 3,400 auks, 85 Red-throated Divers, 41 Kittiwakes, 10 Brent Geese, Fulmar, Great Crested Grebes and Kingfisher. 

3rd February 2021

LANCING/WIDEWATER LAGOON: A walk along Lancing beach to Widewater this afternoon was interesting with a feeding frenzy taking place for an hour or so. There were large flocks of Razorbills zooming around offshore, constantly moving east & west, and on occasions gathering in huge numbers to join the feeding frenzy. Gannets were joining in with mainly Herring and Black-headed plus a few Great Black-backed Gulls. Difficult estimating the numbers but most likely 400 Razorbill (with no Guillemot ID), around 200 Gannet and 6 Kittiwake. Bernie Forbes via SOS

    Highlight was a juv Kittiwake close to the shore. Also tens of Great Crested Grebes, Red-throated Divers and hundreds of auks, mostly Razorbills plus some Gannets. Shemi via SOS

Auk and diver movement this morning, at least that visible from the shore in poor conditions, was almost entirely easterly. About 1180 auks (72 identified as Razorbills), 63 divers (46 identified as Red-throated and a Black-throated) and 70 Gannets were seen but very little else and no duck. The regular Kingfisher and seven Little Grebes were seen on a quick scan of the eastern end of the lagoon. On the way home a Norwegian Common Gull that had been ringed near Oslo in April 2019 was present on the Adur. I'd seen it there last February too. Richard Fairbank via SOS

MARINE GARDENS: Fulmar, two Gannets, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 34 auks, three Great Crested Grebes and nine Red-breasted Mergansers offshore 9.54-10.54am. David Campbell

2nd February 2021

LANCING/BROOKLANDS PARK: Starting at Lancing beach at 11.30am, then moving along the coast to the beach huts opposite Brooklands produced a continual stream of Razorbills, a guestimate of 5,500 in 2 hours. There were several individual Red-throated Divers, a group of three and a cluster of five! Gannet and Great Crested Grebe, two Pintail, three Teal, seven Brent Geese, 10 Kittiwake including one sitting on the sea just off the beach, and although a struggle to i.d. we eventually had a good view of a solitary Guillemot. Dense mist made distant birds hard to see but fortunately these were fairly close to shore. Nearly all the birds were heading W. Mark and Karen Weston via SOS

MARINE GARDENS: Six Dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Red-breasted Mergansers, 13 Red-throated Divers, an auk, 11 Great Crested Grebes, three Oystercatchers and two Mediterranean Gulls were offshore this morning. David Campbell

SALVINGTON: A Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit and 2 Goldcrests in the Rogate Road area. Nick Bond

WIDEWATER LAGOON: Drake Red-breasted Merganser. Shemi via SOS

WORTHING BEACH: 14.50-15.10 10 Red throated Divers offshore, 1 E, Gannet 3, 1 Brent Goose W, 8 Razorbills, 1 Guillemot and 2 Great Crested Grebes. Richard Ives

1st February 2021

ADUR ESTUARY: The run up to high tide caused an almost continuous moving around of Snipe south of the coast road, with an estimate of at least 40 birds present. About 50 Redshanks and 65 Lapwings. Also one Curlew, one Greenshank, 34 Teal, three Mute Swans and a few Meadow Pipits. Steve Gilbert via SOS

ANGMERING: Male Blackcap in gardens on Downs Way. Garry Messenbird

FERRING RIFE: 1 Common Snipe. Gareth James

GORING GAP: 10:00-11:10 3 Shelduck E, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Great-crested Grebes o/s, 150 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 28 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 67 Red-throated Diver (inc flock of 49w), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 3 Stock Doves and 20 Greenfinches. Gareth James

10.00 - 10.30 Sea flat, gloomy and grey but I have witnessed the highest movement of divers with 158 Red-throated Divers, 2 BLACK-THROATED DIVERS amongst a single flock of 73 divers west! That is the biggest flock I have ever seen. Numerous groups of Red throats on the sea making up the numbers. No auks, gannets or ducks save from 20 Red-breasted Mergansers and only 2 Great-crested Grebes. Richard Ives

 

LANCING:  11am - 12.15 pm: hundreds of auks flying W, eight Shelduck, Red-throated Diver and my first for a long time BLACK-THROATED DIVER (swimming for few minutes together), 17 Oystercatchers, six Turnstones, some Great Crested Grebes, Common Gulls plus lots of Gannets and flock of Kittiwakes.

RUSTINGTON: ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET overhead on the sea estate. Clive Hope