To kick the new year off Dad, Mum and I went for a 5 mile walk around Arundel Park and took the path back along the River Arun towards the Black Rabbit pub before ending back up at the car at Swanbourne Lake.
Nursing a rather sore head after New Years Eve, Mum and Dad picked me up from the flat at 10am. Before leaving the flat I had managed to clock my first bird of the new calendar year. These were 4 Woodpigeon feeding on the berries on the bush just off the balcony. Two and three shortly followed with a Herring Gull passing over the flat and the resident Robin showing itself in the bushes just below the balcony. Before I knew it, Mum and Dad had arrived and I dragged myself downstairs with a cold bottle of water to try and relieve the sore head.
The drive over was a straight foreword journey with very little traffic. It was to be Mum who found the first good bird of the day which was a single Grey Wagtail on the Western edge of Swanbourne Lake. We continued our walk along the Western path where we soon saw a single Pochard and Mandarin and again Mum picked up a single Teal close into the reeds near the northern end of the lake. From the far Northern end of the lake we headed North up through the valley and soon added Common Buzzard, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit and Kestrel as well as Dad pointing out a rare plant to me White Horehound near one of the stiles we crossed. We soon dropped down onto the banks of the River Arun walking alongside the walls of Arundel Park. As we approached North Stoke the first Red Kite of the day was seen and was shortly joined by two more these gave great views and were a pleasure to watch.
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| White Horehound - Arundel Park |
Before long we were fast approaching Offham and our minds soon turned to the Bewick's Swans however our luck wasn't to be in and there was no sign, probably due to amount of disturbance caused by NYD walkers along the river bank. We did however have 3 Snipe flyover whilst we were there and heard Water Rail. We pressed on and soon got back to the Black Rabbit where we all enjoyed an ice cold drink after a long walk.
After we had finished our walk we continued onto Lyminster to look for the Cattle Egret at Broomhurst Farm. Upon arrival we could see the cattle in the field a little distance away. Due to Dad knowing the area we followed the footpath North of Lyminster Church and soon came to an area where we view the field with cattle in much more easily. At first there was no sign and then after 5 minutes or so the Cattle Egret showed itself and we enjoyed good views. Also seen here was a flock of around c50 Lapwing and a Jay in the church yard.
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| Cattle Egret at Broomhurst Farm, Lyminster |
We ended the day at Goring Gap which produced a few Mediterranean Gulls, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Sanderling feeding along the beach on low tide. Whilst out at sea there several Red-breasted Mergansers, Great Crested Grebes and a few Gannets.
An enjoyable start to the new year spent with my parents and a good days birdwatching! A total of 62 species seen all together.
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