October News - Coasting Finches

A notable feature of October is the migrating flocks of finches along our coastline. This is usually best on days with light easterly or north easterly winds and on several days conditions were perfect with decent counts recorded from Ferring and Goring Gap. This movement is mostly confined to the coast with very few finches seen from our Downland watch points on days with big counts along the coast.

Where have they come from and where they are heading? It is believed that food shortages in continental Europe can lead to an influx to the UK with some birds wintering here or heading further south into France and Spain.

Wednesday 1st October

Goring Gap between 0650 and 0930 recorded a light overhead passage including Pied Wagtail (82e), Yellow Wagtail (1) Grey Wagtail (1), Meadow Pipit (c30e), Swallow (c105e) and finch flocks containing Goldfinch (c150e), Siskin (c60e)and Redpoll (2e).

On the beach were  17 Little Egrets,  lined up on the groynes, a Redshank and a single Wheatear, whilst the first Great Crested Grebe of the winter was noted on the sea. 

Tuesday 7th October

No overhead passage but lots of birds feeding around Ferring Rife and adjacent fields, mostly Linnets, Goldfinches, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks plus a few Greenfinches. Along Ferring Rife Chiffchaffs (15). Blackcaps (2) and Stonechat. 

Thursday 9th October

A small movement over East Preston with a flock of Siskin  (12) and Redpoll (5) while Wheatears (2) were on the beach near Marine Gardens.

Friday 10th October

A short visit to Ferring Rife saw Goldfinches (60+) heading east with three south bound Swallows. Grounded migrants included Chiffchaffs (12), Firecrest (1), Goldcrest (6) and Stonechat (2).

Monday 13th October

The first big movement of the month with a busy morning at Goring Gap. In three hours from 07:00 today a continuous stream of finches with Goldfinch (c1060e), Linnet (c115e),  Siskin (c150e). Crossbill (9e), Redpoll (7e). They were joined by 150+ of each of Swallow and House Martin also moving east into the wind. 

On the sea returning geese and wildfowl included Brent Geese (67w 7e) and Wigeon (27w 17 offshore).

Wednesday 15th October

A steady passage of Swallows and Goldfinches along the coast between Widewater and Brooklands whilst 100+ Siskins went east over Sompting Brooks. a Kingfisher and two Wheatears were on the beach just east of the pier.

Thursday 16th October

In under an hour at Goring Gap this morning Goldfinch (120e), Siskin (40e), Linnet (35e), Pied Wagtail (6), and Skylark (6) were recorded overhead with 80+ Swallows and House Martins feeding over the fields and Chiffchaffs (20) in the plantation. 

Over 500 Goldfinches were recorded in small flocks heading east in two hours along the seafront between Widewater and Brooklands this morning with the biggest single group containing 40-50 birds. Five Clouded Yellows were also out enjoying the sunshine.

Two Crossbills were noteworthy heading east over Park Road, Worthing early morning.

Friday 17th October

Another bumper day at Goring Gap with obsevations between 0725 and 0950.  Impressive numbers of   Goldfinch (1430e) dominated the morning accompanied by Linnet (66e), Siskin (81e) and Redpoll (8e). Swallow (c90e) and a further 100+ feeding over the fields with c50 House Martins.  A Corn Bunting flying east was an unusual record on the coast.

Saturday 18th October

Fewer finches at Goring Gap this morning but several Meadow Pipits  and Swallows (10) flew out to sea with House Martins (c50e). Swallows (60) were feeding over fields with Skylark (8), Stonechat (2) in the rough field and Firecrest , Treecreeper and several Chiffchaffs in the plantation.  

Sunday 19th October

The last notable finch movement of the month saw Goldfinches (150e) and Redpoll (30e) over Goring Gap with Swallows (150e) and a late Sand Martin. The Plantation held lots of Goldcrest , Chiffchaffs, Blackcap (3) and an arrival of Song Thrushes.

Sunday 26th October

A change in wind direction appeared to have halted the Goldfinches, but Siskin, Redpoll (2w) and Crossbills (4w) over Goring Gap this morning were noted. A flock of Stock Dove (24) went west with an early movement of  Wood Pigeons.

Thursday 30th October

The last finches of the month were a flock of Redpoll (40+) over Goring Primary School and there were still Stonechat (4) in the fields and three late Swallows west at the Gap. 

October Highlights - Ouzels and Yellow-broweds

Whilst nationally October is regarded as the key month for the arrival of scarce and rare birds, locally it signals a change of pace as the season progresses. The Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchats and Wheatears, which featured daily through late August and September have now mostly departed and attention turns to seeking out species such as Ring Ouzel and Yellow-browed Warblers. 

In our area, and across Sussex in general, lower than normal numbers of both these prized migrants have been recorded, but a few were found in and around Worthing putting a smile on the faces of the lucky few.

Ring Ouzels

Cissbury Ring is a regular stop over for Ring Ouzels especially the area around the large Yew in the Flint Mines and the month started well with two birds seen in the Yew on 1st October. However their visit was all too brief and we had to wait until 17th October before the next record. Unfortunately it was another brief encounter and wasn’t seen again after early morning despite several birders searching for it.

Other local hot spots such as Mill Hill, Highdown and Steyning Round Hill missed out completely, despite plenty of observer effort and as the month draws to a close it is unlikely we will get another chance to see the “Mountain Blackbird” this year.

Yellow-browed Warblers

This small stripey warbler breeds in Russia, but generally arrive in Britain as a passage migrant in reasonable numbers along the north and east coast, with several birds usually trickling down into Sussex as October progresses. They are very vocal and quite active and are usually found in coastal parks and woods making them popular with local birdwatchers. 

Although several were found locally they were all too brief  and proved very difficult to catch up with. The first of the year was found by George Kinnard on Wednesday 8th October along Ferring Rife and although vocal it was very elusive and was gone the next day. Colin Jupp found another calling bird in Langmeads Park, Rustington on 21st October but it was also difficult to see in a mobile tit flock. Colin then found another on 24th October along the footpath at the north end of Pigeon House Lane, Rustington.  Finally George found a fourth bird along Ferring Rife on Tuesday 28th October which unfortunately also wasn’t seen again. 

Four records is a good count for the month locally, though none of the birds were particularly co- operative, fortunately this species can still be found in November so there is time for a more obliging bird to be discovered.