7th March 2019 - Sompting Brooks, Goring Gap and the Downs

This morning I went back to Sompting Brooks to help volunteer with small mammal trapping for the EPIC project. To find out more about the project see here: https://www.somptingestate.com/EPIC

It was a great morning and we caught 14 small mammals of 3 different species. These included: 2 Harvest Mouse (including 1 new for site), 8 Wood Mouse and 4 Field Voles. All animals were released after capture.

Harvest Mouse, Sompting Brooks, West Sussex

I kept an eye out for birds whilst on my visit and notables included c10 Skylark, 2 Redwing and a singing Cetti's Warbler as well as a calling Chiffchaff. 

Mid-afternoon I called into Goring Gap where the highlight was a Sandwich Tern in the roost field  as well as 4 Ringed Plover and the usual gulls. Late afternoon I again went for a walk on the downs where the highlights were a Badger and 3 Hares as well as a Tawny Owl which was heard calling.