Sea watchers were rewarded with the first signs of wader passage, whilst Hoopoe’s aside there was still plenty of birds arriving along the coast at both ends of the Worthing reporting area. James Grundy’s Pied Flycatchers found at Lancing Ring on Saturday 12 April were the pick of the migrants, which is an excellent Spring record particularly as one was a smart black and white male.
Efforts to find a Hoopoe in the horse paddocks around Ferring Country Centre failed but did turn up a Wheatear on 8/4 with two present on 11/4, whilst six Sand Martins flew in off the sea on 7/4.
Angmering
The area to the west of Angmering received plenty of coverage this week after Monday’s Hoopoe turning up. Black Redstart (7/4) and a migrant Short-eared Owl (8/4) was another excellent local record. Black Ditch held a Green Sandpiper and up to six Wheatear on 12/4.
Kingston
Two Black Redstarts and a White Wagtail were found on 8/4 whilst a little further east two Wheatears were on the beach at West Worthing.
Cissbury
The Downs slowly stirred into life this week with the scratchy song of returning Whitethroats emanating from gorse and brambles on the Ring as well as two Wheatears (13/4) and at least four Whitethroats singing along Lychpole Bottom along with a singing Willow Warbler on 13/4. The freshly sown fields held three Grey Partridge and several Brown Hares.
Non avian highlights included a showy Stoat (11/4) and the first report of Grizzled Skipper (13/4).
Brooklands
The Black Swan was present on Brooklands throughout the week.
Lancing
Willow Warblers continued to using a Lancing garden as a refuelling stop with four singing birds on 11/4.
Patcham
The final mention of the review period was a throw back to winter with a Fieldfare on Sunday 13 April being particularly noteworthy given their absence locally this winter !
