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