Highlights
An Osprey flew north over Rustington on 2nd June (C Jupp) and four Spoonbills headed west over Goring Gap on 16th June (R Ives).
Several Curlew heading west at Goring Gap on 22/6 and 23/6 were possibly the first autumn passage waders of the season and a Common Sandpiper on the beach on 26/6 (R Simpson) was almost certainly a returning migrant, whilst a handful of Sanderling and Turnstone over-summered on the beach.
Quail were heard uttering their distinctive “wet-my-lips” call on the Downs north of Cissbury between 27th May - 1st June and near Steep Down on 6th June.
Seawatching
There was some surprisingly late sea watching records with Manx Shearwater past Marine Gardens (1e) on 3/6 and Arctic Skuas past Goring (3e) on 9/6 and Marine Gardens (3e) on 11/6.
Regular Breeders
As expected June was a very quiet month on the birding front with most of the news relating to resident breeding species. Stonechats, Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers and Whitethroats all bred successfully around Cissbury with at least two different singing male Lesser Whitethroats also holding territories. Young Green Woodpeckers and Mistle Thrushes were also very much in evidence by the end of the month.
Swifts were reported throughout the month across the area with the biggest report being 23 near Broadwater and 12 along Boundary Road though at some traditional breeding areas numbers seem to be lower. The Worthing and Adur Swift Group do a fantastic job monitoring the local population and engaging with the public to raise the importance of Swift Conservation.
Elsewhere up to six Reed Warblers were present at Brooklands with several males continuing to sing throughout month.
