September 30th 2018

WEST WORTHING: Garden vismig produced 16 Siskins, two Grey Wagtails, a Pied Wagtail, 20 Swallows and 42 Meadow Pipits. Perhaps most notable of all, however, were four migrant Rooks overhead. Around the garden were singles of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Jay. DKC

September 26th 2018

GORING GAP : Hirundines were the feature again today with swarms of House Martin's and Swallows around, again very difficult to count with most feeding up across the fields and heading south to the beach when they would then head east. At a guestimate would say there was 4,000 + House Martin and 1,000+ Swallows. Birds were moving through all morning and tailed off somewhat after 11am. In the rough fields of the south east corner upto 4 Stonechats were joined by 2-3 Whinchats, all enjoying the autumn sunshine actively feeding up. Only 2 Siskin were noted east as was 2 Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipits were mostly moving south. 4 Skylarks were around the fields and a single Willow Warbler popped up before flying strongly south west. Still a few Chiffchaffs around, a single Sandwich Tern was in the roost field and another 2 flew east. A Raven was seen over the north fields. NB/GJ 

Top - bottom Swallow, Whinchat, Swallow/House Martin flocks - All Pics NB

September 25th 2018

GORING GAP: Another fine morning and a similar theme to yesterday with thousands of House Martins (4,500+) filling the skies but a noticeable increase in Swallow numbers (400+). A young Hobby was seen over the eastern most fields briefly chasing a hirundine breakfast before slipping off east. Other birds included a Whinchat that was associating with 3 Stonechat all favouring the rough field next to the dead-end road on the eastern side, a fall of Chiffchaffs was also noted with c 20 birds seen and heard. Overhead movement included 123 Meadow Pipits, 28 Siskins, five Grey Wagtails, 23 Pied Wagtails, four Yellow Wagtails, 4,500+ House Martins, 850+ Swallows, six Skylarks (nine were also in the fields) and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. A Common Buzzard caused some commotion with the local gull and corvid population while another appeared in the distance and 5 Linnets dropped in before heading off north. A Common Snipe flew over, whilst Common Tern and 3 Shelduck were oddities in the beach area. Also on the beach was a Grey Heron. The Treecreeper was in the Plantation and nine Mediterranean Gulls were around. DKC/NB

A quick call into the Gap at 15:00 produced 2 Spotted Flycatchers and c5 Willow Warblers in the holm oak plantation bordering the dumped potato field. The rough field held 2-3 Stonechat and a single Whinchat. GJ

1 of 2 Spotted Flycatcher at Goring Gap GJ

September 24th 2018

GORING GAP: A nice clear September morning produced a Osprey that was first picked up coming off the downs and started gaining height and thermaling south-west before heading off eventually east approx a mile inland. 6 Golden Plover were also picked up coming from the downs direction but these flew south east and over the southern most plantation. There was huge numbers of House Martins moving through and a conservative count of 2,000 birds will probably not do the actual number any justice as were moving along the beach aswell as north as far as the downs, not many Swallows, but a few Sand Martin were around. Good number of Meadow Pipits were on the move with most heading NW and some settling in the stubble fields. Other raptors were represented with a female Sparrowhawk and 3 Common Buzzards were up again over the northern end. 2 Raven went over north west and a couple of Siskin went east. 3 Skylark were noted and 2 Stonechat were in the rough field NB

September 23rd 2018

BROOKLANDS PLEASURE PARK: Highlights included two Kingfishers, four Teal, a Grey Wagtail, three Sand Martins, 90 Swallows, a Little Grebe and a Swallow. DKC

GORING GAP: Overhead movement in a short visit around midday included 524 House Martins, 43 Meadow Pipits and two Swallows. Five Wheatears were along the beach and a Chiffchaff, a Skylark, three Sandwich Terns and two Common Gulls were noted. A Gannet flew past. DKC

September 22nd 2018

GORING GAP: I counted over 780 Meadow Pipits flying west over the beach this morning, although the actual number was far higher as birds were also moving over the fields further inland. Other birds flying over west were 1 Yellow Wagtail , 1 Grey Wagtail and a trickle of hirundines including at least 1 Sand Martin. 2 Red-breasted Mergansers (early?) on the sea flew off west. 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Common Scoter and 11 Sandwich Terns flew west. 5 more Sandwich Terns remained offshore. A Wheatear was on the beach and a Stonechat was in the weedy field. The usual waders were on the beach. RS

September 18th 2018

BROOKLANDS PARK: A quick look around the stream and lake in blustery conditions produced a few good sightings for the area. 7 Teal were on the lake as were 2 Little Egrets, a Common Gull was the only oddity amongst the gull roost and a Turnstone flew bizzarely south across the lake heading for the beach! 17 House Martins moved through overhead and just a single Little Grebe noted. In the sheltered spots, several Chiffchaffs were seen and heard as was a single male Blackcap. 2 Kingfisher were in the stream area as was a Grey Wagtail.
Interesting to note that most of the works here now look complete and the fencing that surrounded the lake has now been removed and a new boardwalk has been opened. Gulls are using one of the islands to roost on....will be worth keeping an eye on in the winter months NB