26th January 2020 - Day 2 in Norfolk

We enjoyed nice accommodation overnight at the Manor Farm Guesthouse in Wells-next-the-Sea which had comfortable beds which were most welcome after what had been a tiring first day. Before breakfast we headed out for a short walk around the town where we saw a Sparrowhawk over the harbour near the old granary whilst the only other bird of note was a singing Goldcrest in the Catholic Church of Our Lady churchyard. When we got back to our accommodation we were served a nice cooked breakfast which set us up for the day nicely. 

Our first stop was a flying visit to Lady Ann's Drive at Holkham where we found nine White-fronted Geese on the western side of the road accompanied by a few Pink-footed Geese. After getting some nice views of these we headed off to RSPB Titchwell and over the A149 on our way there we had more Pink-footed Geese as well as a Red Kite. We arrived at Titchwell and it was still pretty quiet (not many cars) and we headed straight to the beach. Offshore we found seven Long-tailed Duck of which at least five were stunning males also associating with them were three Goldeneye (2 drake and 1 female). After watching the sea for a while we also added a single Great Northern Diver which flew east as well as a Red-throated Diver which went the same way. Along the tideline were several Bar-tailed Godwit and a couple of Sanderling. We headed back onto the reserve where we had a scan of the scrape/s where the highlights were ten Avocet, a flock of Knot and lots of Golden Plover. A quick trip around the back of the reserve added a female Stonechat, three Siskin and a female Reeve's Muntjac. 

Rather than retracing our steps from the day before and going to look for the three Tundra Bean Geese at Burnham Overy and Shorelark at Holkham Gap we decided to head south towards Welney WWT. As we were approaching Welney we came across our first Whooper Swan these were a herd of 15 at Ten Mile Bank. We arrived at Welney and were greeted with c10 Tree Sparrow on the feeders around the car park, whilst out on the washes we found a Great White Egret and nine more Whooper Swan. We got very lucky with two Common Crane passing over the visitor centre, a case of being in the right place at the right time! The whole area is extremely flooded and the water levels are very high this meant that only the main hide was open. The only birds from here were a few Mallard, Tufted Duck and Pochard. 

Whilst on site at Welney I checked Birdguides to see if there was anything nearby we could go and see. Five Smew at Needingworth Quarry Lakes caught my attention but this was a site neither of us knew anything about but we thought we would give it a go anyway as it was only a 40 minute drive away. Enroute we came across 400-800 Whooper Swan, nine Bewick's Swan in an arable field near Gold Hill in Cambridgeshire and eight Kestrel. After a short while we arrived at Needingworth Quarry Lakes and were greeted with a tiny car park in a very bleak location, the rain was starting to settle in and we had no idea where the birds were. It didn't have a good feel about it when we first pulled up but we put on our waterproofs and headed off down the extremely muddy path. We were very fortunate to bump into a local birder who informed us of where the Smew were and where was best to view them from. After more mud bashing we got to where he said and instantly found a drake with two redheads, we walked a bit further down the track and were thrilled to find a total of eight Smew (2 drakes and 6 female), what a fantastic way to the end what had been a brilliant weekend away! Also of note at this site was a drake Goldeneye, an adult Lesser black-backed Gull, a vocal Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Two Common Crane, WWT Welney, Norfolk

Four of the eight Smew (drake and three redhead), Needingham Quarry Lakes, Cambridgeshire

25 January 2020 - Day 1 in North Norfolk

Dad and I set off from Sussex at 04:00 in the morning and arrived in North Norfolk at 07:30 where the first bird we saw was a Barn Owl hunting over arable fields between Heacham and Sedgeford. We soon found the dung heap at Sedgeford and, having parked the car, we set up our scopes and waited for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail to appear. Three Red Kite and our first skeins of noisy Pink-footed Geese kept us entertained while we waited for the wagtail. After 30 mins or so of not seeing the bird, we saw some other birders back along the lane waving to us so we quickly relocated to where they were standing overlooking another large dung heap on top of which was the Eastern Yellow Wagtail. Over the next 15 mins the bird showed very well and was heard calling a couple of times before flying off with a Pied Wagtail.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail (nominate form tschutschensis), Sedgeford, Norfolk

Our next stop was Thornham Harbour where after a bit of searching we eventually found the flock of ten Twite first on the roof of the coal barn and then perched in a tree on the landward side of the seawall. From here we continued along the coast road to Burnham Overy seeing a female Merlin just as we were entering Brancaster Staithe. Upon arrival at Burnham Overy there were 55 Barnacle Geese in fields to the north of the A149 and masses of Pink-footed Geese to the south though we were unable to locate the three Tundra Bean Geese seen the day before. 

Pink-footed Geese, Burnham Overy, Norfolk

Barnacle Geese, Burnham Overy, Norfolk

The car park at Holkham Gap was heaving but we were not deterred from going to look for Shorelarks and Snow Buntings. Fortunately an area has been roped off to encourage these birds to feed without being chased off by the numerous dogs that were being taken for walks by their owners. Here we found a lovely flock of c60 Snow Bunting feeding just a few metres inside the roped off area but despite much searching by us and many other birders we could not find any Shorelark. On the other side of the dunes there was a huge raft of Common Scoter perhaps 5000 strong on the sea and with these we eventually found five Velvet Scoter and four Red-breasted Merganser further out. Back at the car park there were two showy Grey Partridge near the new visitor centre and a flock 15 White-fronted Geese which flew round but unfortunately dropped down out of view. 

Snow Buntings, Holkham Gap, Norfolk

Grey Partridge, Holkham Gap, Norfolk

The long staying juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard was in its usual favoured spot on the outskirts of Wells-next-the-Sea giving reasonable perched views, the first I have seen in the UK since the Mount Caburn bird! Also seen here were three Marsh Harrier. With time to spare we headed off to Salthouse where a Waxwing had been found the day before near the church. Fortunately this took very little finding with a helpful birder on site pointing us in the right direction to the bird which was sitting on top of a pine tree, before moving to a hedgerow where it fed happily on berries. 

Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Waxwing, Salthouse, Norfolk

Our final stop was at Stiffkey where we walked west along the coastal path towards Warham Greens. We stayed until it was almost dark seeing an adult male and a ringtail Hen Harrier, two more Marsh Harrier, two Common Buzzard and a total of 42 Little Egrets heading to roost in the failing light. A total of 72 species recorded. 

22nd January 2020 - Iford Brooks

On my drive into work two Woodcock flew over the Ashcombe Bottom Roundabout near Lewes. After I had finished for the day in the office, Max and I headed out again onto the Brooks. The pond by the car park held two pairs of Mallard the first time we had ever seen a bird on here! Down the lane on our way out to the brooks we recorded a female Kestrel and a Song Thrush however there was no sign of any Redwing and Fieldfare presumably both had moved on from the day before. When we got out onto the brooks it seemed quieter than the day before but there was a flock of c150 Starling and an adult Common Gull. Also noted was a Great Spotted Woodpecker heard distantly in an isolated patch of trees whilst the ditches held two Moorhen, four Mute Swan and a Cetti's Warbler. The duck pond still had c200 Wigeon and Shoveler had increased to four. On our way back to the cars we found two Firecrest in a hedgerow about half way down the lane - a nice grip back for Max as he missed the last one on 6th January. We also added a Sparrowhawk which shot through and at dusk 8 Lapwing flew overhead and when we got back to the car a Tawny Owl was calling very close to us but we could not locate it. Also of note for the time of year was a Bat sp. foraging around the village.

Looking towards The Downs from Iford Brooks, East Sussex

21st January 2020 - Iford Brooks

Max and I headed out onto Iford Brooks after work and along the lane on the way out to the brooks we recorded a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Treecreeper. In the tree tops were c30 Redwing whilst the arable field just to the north of us held around c600 Lapwing. When we got out onto the brooks we added two Grey Heron, c40 Fieldfare which flew strongly north towards Lewes and a Cetti's Warbler skulking away in a ditch near to us. The duck pond held c200 Wigeon and a drake Shoveler also of note here was Common Snipe that got up from the same field. A bit further down we found the mixed Greylag and Canada Geese flock but despite a thorough scan we couldn't find anything better with them. Other birds note on our visit included two Common Buzzard, two Mute Swan, two Shelduck and a female Reed Bunting. On arrival back at the car we heard a Tawny Owl calling in Iford village but it was quite distant.

Late afternoon on Iford Brooks, East Sussex

19th January 2019 - Going West

I arranged last week at work with Max Robards to go birding today and we decided to head west towards the Selsey Peninsula taking in a couple of other sites. Max arrived at mine at 07:15 and we headed to Fishbourne Creek. The tides have flipped over the last few days which was frustrating given that the best time I find to visit this site is 3 hours before high tide. Upon arrival the water level was still quite high with not much mud showing although we did instantly find two Greenshank feeding on a small bit of exposed mud infront of the Crown & Anchor pub and just a little south from here were c300 Brent Geese. A scan from the jetty looking south produced three Goldeneye (2 female and 1 male) and also three redhead Red-breasted Merganser. Whilst tucked up against the bank on the far side were sporadic flocks of Wigeon and Teal and a mixed roosting flock of Curlew, Lapwing and Redshank. Our main aim from here was the long staying Long-tailed Duck however despite prolonged scanning we could not find it. We decided to head North up the creek and upon leaving the jetty there were two Mistle Thrush in the trees just by the pub. A little further up we had a great view of a Kingfisher perched on the end of an old wooden boat by Sophie's Boatyard. We arrived near the outflow hoping for the Water Pipit which we heard and probably saw but it was very flighty and with 3-4 Rock Pipit. Also here were several Black-tailed Godwit and on the far bank were 10 Knot and c100 Dunlin whilst another Greenshank flew in and started feeding in front us. We also noted Turnstone, Grey Plover and more Redshank here. Our walk back to the car added a singles of Green Woodpecker, Yellowhammer and Greenfinch.

Curlew, Fisbourne Creek, West Sussex

Our next stop was East Head at West Wittering. I haven't visited here for a long time and to be honest its a lovely place but is so littered with people and dog walkers that it kind of ruined my experience. We did however manage to find the raft of c20 Eider (lifer for Max) off East Head although they were a little underwhelming as they were quite distant. Also of note were eight Sanderling on the beach and near the mouth of Chichester Harbour were c20 Great Crested Grebe and two Sandwich Tern. The fields adjacent to the car park held c1000 Brent Geese and a few Oystercatcher, Curlew and Lapwing. 

Looking over Chichester Harbour towards Thorney Island from East Head, West Wittering

Next we tried our luck at Selsey Bill where the sea was dead and only managed to find four Red-breasted Merganser. We cut our losses and headed round to the old coastguard station where we found a single Great Northern Diver offshore and a single Oystercatcher that flew west. Sadly we couldn't find any Slavonian Grebe at either site despite several being reported earlier in the morning. Next stop was Marsh Farm where we found the 21 Cattle Egret and 2 Egyptian Geese as well as a Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard which both passed overhead and also a Sparrowhawk which was causing havoc amongst the local Woodpigeon and Stock Dove. The hedges at the farm held a pair of Stonechat and a male Reed Bunting whilst in the farmyard there were two Pied Wagtail. 

10 of the 21 Cattle Egret, Marsh Farm, Siddlesham, West Sussex

We headed back east and stopped at Burpham where we found the three adult Bewick's Swan slightly split from a group of six Mute Swan. Also seen here was a Kestrel and five Common Chiffchaff at the sewage works but no sign of the Siberian Chiffchaff. Last stop was a scan from the metal gate at The Burgh where we saw three Red Kite, two Common Buzzard and two Kestrel and Max saw a ringtail Hen Harrier but I was looking the wrong way and missed it much to my annoyance. Just on the other side from the other metal gate we had a nice view of six Grey Partridge. As we were driving home news come through that the Long-tailed Duck was still at Fishbourne Creek which was irritating but all in all a good morning out with some a nice mix of species seen. 

3 adult Bewick's Swan, Burpham, West Sussex

17th January 2020 - Coalhouse Fort, Essex and Bewl Water

Highlights today from a sunny but blustery Coalhouse Fort included the 2 Twite still associating with the Linnet flock in their usual favoured area whilst 2 Brambling passed overhead nearby. Also a Sparrowhawk flew over the gravel workings (my first of the year) and also a male Peregrine over the mudflats was a nice surprise, not a species I see here often. The mudflats were quiet today but not surprising given the tide was going out although 48 Ringed Plover and 10 Oystercatcher was a good site count.

On the way home I had a brief stop at Bewl Water and found the Black-throated Diver without too much difficulty. It was covering quite a large distance between the dam and Beauman's Point but always stayed quite close to the bank and when located it showed very well and at times down to c30m. My photo certainly doesn't do the bird any justice and I'm pretty gutted I didn't have my camera with me. I have recently upgraded my iPhone to the latest one and I find that for phonescoping it is rubbish! Also noted here were c20 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Coot and an Egyptian Goose whilst the surrounding woodland held c20 Redwing, a Nuthatch and a Treecreeper. Also on offer was an impressive gull roost which I would estimate at c2500 birds mostly comprised of Common Gull. 

Black-throated Diver, Bewl Water, East Sussex

14th January 2020 - Iford Brooks

Upon arrival at work this morning, I was treated to 2 Barn Owls hunting close to where I park the car. This is the first time I have seen these birds since earlier in the year and it was very pleasing to see they are still around after they had done a disappearing act for a few months - what a great way to start the working day! Also of note around work today was the Lapwing flock which commutes between the arable field at the base of The Downs and Iford Brooks. I now estimate the flock to be around 600 birds. The same field is also attracting large numbers of Common and Black-headed Gulls.

12th January 2020 - Staying local

First stop of the day was Widewater Lagoon where the highlight was 2 drake Red-breasted Merganser showing nicely on the eastern lagoon. Also noted here was 3 Mute Swan, 2 Meadow Pipit and a Redshank. I moved onto Shoreham Harbour to look on the wooden jetty to see if there were any Purple Sandpiper, sadly my luck wasn't in just 2 Turnstone for my efforts.

1 of 2 drake Red-breasted Merganser, Widewater Lagoon, West Sussex

Next stop was Brooklands Park where I parked the car near the sewage works and in the bushes I found a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest and a Firecrest which was heard but went unseen. On the lake there was no sign of the drake Pochard but there were 2 Little Grebe, 6 Teal, 8 Mute Swan and 16 Coot. Also of note was the adult Black-headed Gull which has been christened 'lumpy'. The rough patch by the lake held a female Stonechat, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Meadow Pipit. A quick look at the roost field at Goring Gap on my way back home produced c300 Common Gull, c150 Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, c30 Herring Gull and a flyover Ringed Plover which never settled.

Female Stonechat, Brooklands Park, West Sussex

'Lumpy' the adult Black-headed Gull, Brooklands Park, West Sussex

Later in the afternoon I headed up to No Man's Land but on route stopped in Durrington and was delighted to see a Peregrine perched up on one of the ledges on the flats near the train station. I was hoping to see the ringtail Hen Harrier up on my visit to No Man's Land but never managed to locate it. Logged during my time here were 3 Kestrel and singles of Common Buzzard, Raven, Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit. Also a Hare which was pleasing as this is the first I have seen for a while!  

Peregrine, Durrington, West Sussex

11th January 2020 - Goring Gap, Pulborough Brooks RSPB, Rackham Viewpoint and Burpham

A short visit to Goring Gap before heading to Pulborough Brooks produced a Ringed Plover, c30 Skylark and 3 Pied Wagtail in the roost field. Arriving at a very blustery Pulborough late morning failed to produce much apart from myriad of wildfowl on the North Brooks mainly comprised of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Pintail. Also c300 Lapwing. Winpenny Hide added a flyover Common Buzzard and Kestrel whilst the water meadows from here only added a single Shelduck. West Mead hide again more of the same wildfowl as on the North Brooks and a roosting Egyptian Goose on the island in front of the hide. Next stop was the Rackham Viewpoint to overlook Amberley Wildbrooks. I didn't stay for long as I was getting blown away and it started to drizzle but I managed 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Red Kites and a Kestrel. Last stop of the day was Burpham where the Siberian Chiffchaff was still present at the sewage works along with c10 Common Chiffchaff. The 3 Bewick's Swan were also still present on the water meadows although were well hidden from the Church. A short walk round to the village cricket pitch allowed for much better views.

9th January 2020 - Coalhouse Fort, Essex and Henfield Levels

Another survey up on the Thames today. Highlight was the two overwintering Twite showing well in their usual favoured area associating with a flock of c160 Linnet.

2 Twite, Coalhouse Fort, Essex

On our way home we called into Henfield Levels where we were treated to great views of the Glossy Ibis (down to 50m), my first scarce bird of 2020 and only my second ever in Sussex, the last being the Cuckmere bird in 2019. Also of note here was a hunting Barn Owl, c300 Lapwing and a Bullfinch.

Glossy Ibis, Henfield Levels, West Sussex

6th January 2020 - Iford Brooks

Around midday two of my colleagues alerted me to a Firecrest down the lane at work. I quickly shot out of the office and found it shortly after where it showed nicely. Also a Treecreeper in the same bush. Both made nice additions to my 'on foot from the office list' which is now up to 78 species.

5th January 2020 - Arundel Area

Highlights this morning included 2 Barn Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Woodcock at the Black Rabbit at first light. Swanbourne Lake produced c10 Mandarin and a Firecrest. At Burpham the 3 adult Bewick's Swan were present with 2 Black Swans on the watermeadows looking SW from the church and the Siberian Chiffchaff was at the sewage treatment works with c10 Common Chiffchaff.

Siberian Chiffchaff, Burpham Sewage Works, West Sussex

4th January 2020 - Day out in East Sussex

We started our day at Penhurst Lane (Netherfield) to look for Hawfinches and were rewarded with 19 showing well perched at the top of their usual tree between 07:53 and 08:11 viewed from the metal gate at grid ref TQ696178. Afterwards we headed to Battle Sewage Works where the overwintering House Martin was still happily hawking over the works, also of note here was a Firecrest, Grey Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff. Next stop was Pett Level where we found 3 of the 8 White-fronted Geese and a blue morph Snow Goose, a Great White Egret, 5 Ruff and 2 Bearded Tits. Offshore were ca.10 Red-throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter. At Scotney Gravel Pits we saw a superb male Marsh Harrier on the Sussex side whilst just over the border near the causeway was the Long-tailed Duck, the 3 that had been on the Sussex side had done a disappearing act today! Also of note on the Kent side was another Great White Egret in fields just to the north of Burnthouse Pen. We ended our day at Rye Harbour where there were 43 Brent Geese on the salt marsh near the visitor centre. A scan from Denny Hide produced the redhead Smew and on the Long Pit the Black-necked Grebe was still present whilst the pools at Harbour Farm held 4 Goldeneye (1 drake and 3 females). An enjoyable day out and 90 species recorded in total.

4 of 19 Hawfinch, Penhurst Lane, Netherfield, East Sussex

1st January 2020 - Iford Brooks and Newhaven Harbour

A Carrion Crow outside Mum and Dads was my first bird of the new decade. A fairly low key start to the New Year with a wander out on to Iford Brooks with Mum and Dad in search of yesterday’s Glossy Ibis and White-fronted Goose. We failed to find either but did see large numbers of Wigeon and Lapwing, 3 Shelduck, 9 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, a Golden Plover, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 75 Fieldfares. Newhaven Harbour was similarly quiet with little of note bar 11 Shelduck on the sea, 6 Fulmars and a couple of Rock Pipits as was the walk from Woodingdean to the Amex where Brighton drew 1-1 with Chelsea.