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.
