A week of mixed weather starting wet and windy and ending with temperatures creeping back up towards 20c. This produced ideal conditions for an overhead passage of Meadow Pipits, Swallows and House Martins, with large numbers of birds reported both along the coast and over the Downs.
The highlight of the week was another Spoonbill moving west past Goring Beach early on Wednesday 17th September whilst five dropped briefly on to the Adur late afternoon the same day.
Chiffchaff ( Richard Phillips)
The Downs
Tuesday 16th September
Cissbury this morning produced Redstarts (4), Marsh Tit (2), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Whitethroats (8), Blackcaps (10) and Chiffchaffs (30+). Whilst in the afternoon two male Redstart were reported on Steyning Round Hill.
Thursday 18th September
Only migrants noted from Cissbury this morning were 30+ Chiffchaffs.
Friday 19th September
A day of constant movement of hirundines with streams of House Martins and Swallows hawking low over the beaches at Worthing and Goring as well as Cissbury, Highdown and Patching Hill. Migrating Meadow Pipits, Swallows and House Martins were seen and heard high over an East Worthing garden with the odd Yellow Wagtail heard amongst them.
Cissbury: Five Sand Martins were noted amongst a steady passage of c500 Swallows and c150 House Martins, whilst 50+ Meadow Pipits and 10+ Linnets also headed south. Grounded migrants were limited to Spotted Flycatchers (3), Chiffchaff (12), Blackcap (4) and Common Whitethroat (3).
Patching Hill: In addition to a constant stream of Swallows and House Martins four Spotted Flycatchers were present in the afternoon.
Saturday 20th September
Cissbury: On the Downs between the Ring and Steyning Round Hill were a Hobby, Redstart, Whinchat (5) and large numbers of phylloscs warblers.
Sunday 21st September
Cissbury: Smaller numbers of hirundines today but other overhead migrants included Siskin (8w), Crossbill ( 5w), Meadow Pipits (40), whilst the only grounded migrants were Redstarts (2), Blackcap (2), Common Whitethroat, and a Spotted Flycatcher. Ravens have been ever present this autumn but a tumbling family group of six were noteworthy.
Highdown: An excellent morning on Highdown with Chiffchaff (25), Blackcap (15), Lesser Whitethroat (3), Whitethroat (3), Spotted Flycatchers (3) and a Pied Flycatcher in the small clump adjacent to Miller’s Tomb, Firecrest, Redstart, Stonechat (6) and Wheatear (2). A good selection of raptors with Sparrowhawk, Hobby and Peregrine, with Sand Martin (20), Swallow (60), House Martin (180) overhead as well as Meadow Pipits (45) and Siskin (12).
Lancing Ring: Whinchat (3) on west side and several Siskin overhead.
Goring / Ferring
A Hobby went east over Goring on Wednesday 17th whilst the same day three Common Sandpipers were present at Patching Pond before flying south.
Early morning on Friday 19th September saw hundreds of Swallows flying out to sea at Goring Gap with smaller numbers of House Martins and Meadow Pipits, whilst overhead were Siskin (9e), Grey Wagtail (2e). On the beach were a Wheatear, Ringed Plover (27), Turnstones (c55), Oystercatchers (24), Dunlins (2) and singles of Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew flew east.
