31st August 2020 - Steepdown and Thorney Island

I went to Brooklands mid-afternoon which produced literally nothing after getting fed up I headed to Steepdown where I came across two Whinchats and two Whitethroats. The area felt good and looked like it held promise however I received a phone call from my dad informing me that the ringtail Harrier sp. seen at Thorney Island earlier in the day was not a Hen as suspected by the finder but instead a juvenile Pallid Harrier. 

Pallid Harrier was a new bird for me in Sussex so there I was heading back to the car and driving down to Thorney Island. Luckily Paul Evans (finder) had posted a what3words reference on his posting on Sussex Birders FB page so I knew exactly where to concentrate my efforts. The bird was seen near Marker Point hunting the ditches by the sea wall, a fair walking distance. On my walk down to where the bird was seen I bumped into Ads Bowley and Michael and Dan Booker. They weren't sure of the exact area to look so I informed them to keep walking and follow me. Upon arrival I decided I'd check the small arable field near Marker Point and potentially the airfield and they would stay where the bird was seen earlier in the day so we covered more ground between us. After 10 minutes or so I had Ads, Michael and Dan waving at me as the bird it had reappeared and was hunting over the same field where it was seen earlier in the day. 

We were treated to some show where it went at the Red-legged Partridges and Pheasants but didn't catch anything. After a while it perched on a fence post for c20-30mins and gave fantastic views. After it left the fence post it headed towards the arable field where I started my search and then came back along the ditch in front of us and at one point we had it c10-15m away. 

A magical ending to bank holiday weekend! 

Juvenile Pallid Harrier, Thorney Island, West Sussex

23rd August 2020 - Cuckmere Haven and Brooklands

News of two ospreys at Exceat prompted a change of plan, parking at the Cuckmere Inn instead of South Hill Barn as intended. This proved to be a good move with the first bird seen after getting out of the car an Osprey hovering over the river which we watched for a while before it eventually drifted off north towards High-and-Over. From the car park we headed down the west side of the valley to Harry’s Bush seeing ca.10 Yellow Wagtails with the cows and two Greenshanks on the way. Despite the blustery conditions, the southeast corner of the area of scrub south of Harry’s Bush was fairly sheltered, here that we found a Pied Flycatcher, two Redstarts, single Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat, and several Common Whitethroats and Willow Warblers and had further views of the osprey as it did a circuit of Cuckmere Haven before heading back north up river. Seaford Head and Hope Gap appeared devoid of birds so we returned to Harry’s Bush for further views of the Pied Fly before heading back to the car and home.

Osprey, Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex

On the way home I called into Brooklands where I saw my first uber patch Pied Flycatcher of the year. Also two Spotted Flycatchers, a Reed Warbler and three Blackcaps. 

Spotted Flycatcher, Brooklands Leisure Park, West Sussex

22nd August 2020 - Pagham Harbour

An hour at Selsey Bill from 06:15, more in hope than anticipation, produced nothing more than a trickle of distant Gannets heading W, three Ringed plovers and singles of Common, Little & Sandwich Tern in the very blustery conditions. A very full Sidlesham Ferry was similarly quiet with yesterday's Curlew Sandpipers having moved on and three Common Sandpipers the only waders present. Six cattle egrets flew in from the direction of the harbour and paused for a short while in the field opposite the entrance to the Visitor Centre car park. A walk from the car park at Ham to the Stilt Pool at RSPB Medmerry was better with Peregrine, Raven, two Stonechats, three Whinchats and a Yellowhammer between the two and nine Egyptian Geese, four Shoveler and three Common Sandpipers on the Stilt Pool.

News of two Curlew Sandpipers along the east side of Pagham Harbour prompted a drive round to Church Lane and a short walk to the edge of the harbour where we located a moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper but not the juvenile it had been with earlier. Two Greenshanks were in White's Creek and 30 Cattle Egrets were roosting with Little Egrets on the grassy island east of Owl Point but there was nothing on the Breech Pool which had filled up with rainwater since the beginning of the week. A quick look at the east side of Thorney Island failed to find an Osprey although we later heard that one had been seen earlier feeding on a fish at Pilsey Island. Another 25 Cattle Egrets were along the Great Deep though there may have been more hiding in the long grass.

17th August 2020 - Thorney Island

I was passing Thorney Island today so called in at Eames Farm where I found 23 Cattle Egrets, three Crossbills that flew west, two Kingfishers, a Common Sandpiper, four Common Terns, two Cetti's warbler, four Kestrels and a Buzzard. 

Juvenile Cattle Egret, Thorney Great Deep, West Sussex

16th August 2020 - Climping

Earlier in the day local patch worker Bola Akinola found two Wrynecks at Climping, one on the golf course and one flushed from the dunes. I was camping in Battle so couldn't make it over till late afternoon. I parked at West Beach to reduce walking as I was still tired from camping and covered the dunes not seeing much other than a few Meadow Pipits including a fresh looking juvenile. Moving my way around to the back of the golf course where the other bird was seen again didn't produce a Wryneck but I did find 21 Wheatears which were nice. 

Wheatear, Climping,West Sussex

13th August 2020 - Beachy Head and Goring Gap

Whilst I have been away on the Isles of Scilly, I have been keeping an eye on the weather and had today marked as a good day to visit Beachy Head. Conditions overnight produced rain and there were light south-easterly winds. I covered Shooters Bottom, Old Trapping Area, Beachy Head Pub Car Park and walked the valley from Heathy Brow heading back towards Shooters Bottom via Bulling Dean with a quick stop at Belle Tout Wood. 

Shooters Bottom first thing was alive with common migrants the pick of the bunch being a Pied Flycatcher, two croaking Nightingales, two Sedge Warblers, four Redstarts, four Reed Warblers, a Blackcap and eight Lesser Whitethroats. Walking from Shooters Bottom towards the Old Trapping Area produced another Sedge Warbler amongst Willow Warblers and Whitethroats. 

By mid-morning there had been a clear out of birds. Throughout the morning the birds were heading purposefully east. The remainder of the morning was hard work with the main highlight being nine Wheatears and a Whinchat at Bulling Dean. The quick stop at Belle Tout on my way back produced another Whinchat.

Other totals from the morning included: 30 Willow Warblers, 30 Whitethroats, five Swifts, a Sand Martin, a Sparrowhawk, two Song Thrush, four Kestrels and two Buzzards.

Wheatear, Bulling Dean, Beachy Head, East Sussex

Early afternoon I called into Goring Gap where I found a smart Whinchat along the fenced rough field. Other birds noted included a juvenile Green Woodpecker, a Stock Dove and a Little Egret flew overhead heading east. 

Whinchat, Goring Gap, West Sussex

11th August 2020 - Scillonian Crossing and Drift Reservoir

We started the morning with a walk through Lower Moors where we found a showy Water Rail and a Green Sandpiper on the scrape. The bushes were quiet and the best we could find were two Blackcaps. 

Water Rail, Lower Moors, St Mary's

Afterwards we headed to Old Town and then round to Penninis Head, generally very quiet apart from the common local birds although off Penninis Head we found two Harbour Porpoise. 

Song Thrush, Old Town Churchyard, St Mary's

The Scillonian Crossing on the way home was quiet. Upon departing St Mary's Harbour, a Peregrine flew over the boat. Birds at sea consisted of c750 Manx Shearwaters, four Fulmars, a Great Skua, four Kittiwakes, two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and Sophie saw two Common Dolphins which I missed. 

When we docked in Penzance it was around 19:00. Luckily we managed to get our luggage and collect the car quickly. This allowed for a mad dash to Drift Reservoir for the Spotted Sandpiper which was found earlier in the week. Upon arrival signs weren't good when the place was covered in fog however we pressed on towards the hide and there in front of us was the Spotted Sandpiper, a lovely smart adult. I couldn't believe our luck as I was certain that we were going to dip! Also noted were two Greenshank, two Canada Geese and two Willow Warblers. 

10th August 2020 - St Mary's and Scilly Pelagic

We started the day with a horse ride from Pelistry through to Porth Hellick and back again. Off the horse at Porth Hellick, I noted a Green Sandpiper on the pool as well as a Grey Heron. On our way back to Hugh Town, a female Blackcap was in Holy Vale and 30 House Martins were over Lower Moors. 

That evening I was booked onto another pelagic however the winds had swung to the North so we headed out c5km off St Martin's. The evening didn't live up to the same standards as Thursday night although a Great Skua came very close to the boat and around 20 European Storm Petrels were seen. Also noted was a steady procession of Fulmar and Manx Shearwater which were almost always on view. 

9th August 2020 - Tresco and St Mary's

We spent the day on Tresco, upon arrival we walked to the castle at the Northern end of the island. In the channel between Tresco and Bryher was three Black Swans and three Oystercatchers. On Castle Down there was lots of Stonechats and Linnets. We walked down towards New Grimsby and the Great Pool where we found three Redshank, a Little Egret, three Grey Heron, a Mute Swan, four Greenshank and a Whitethroat. 

The Abbey Pool held 12 Grey Herons and another Greenshank. We then headed into Tresco Abbey Gardens where we found four Red Squirrels and five Golden Pheasants. On our walk back to the boat departing from Carn Near a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was near the quay. 

Later that evening on St Mary's, a Swift flew over Porth Mellon. 

Golden Pheasant, Tresco Abbey Gardens, Isles of Scilly

8th August 2020 - St Martin's and St Mary's

We spent the morning kayaking from St Martin's to the Eastern Isles landing on Great Ganilly before turning round again as the fog came rolling in. Whilst in the kayaks we had three Atlantic Grey Seals approach us which allowed for lovely views. 

In the afternoon Sophie was tired so had a nap. I took this opportunity to walk from Lower Moors through to Porth Hellick and Upper Moors before continuing through Holy Vale before heading back to Hugh Town. It was a very quiet walk apart from four Greenshank at Porth Hellick Beach, a Common Sandpiper and two Green Sandpipers on the pool and 40 Swallows over the airfield. 

7th August 2020 - St Agnes and Gugh

We spent the day on St Agnes completing a circular walk around the perimeter of the island before crossing the sand bar onto Gugh. Very quiet bird wise although noted were six Song Thrush, four Rock Pipits, 15 Swallows, a Stonechat, two Greenfinches, c30 Linnets, a Grey Heron, a Coot, two Mallards and a juvenile Kittiwake flew over Gugh. 

6th August 2020 - Eastern Isles and Scilly Pelagic

A boat trip out to the Eastern Isles with Sophie in the morning produced great views of up to 60 Atlantic Grey Seals amongst a noisy array of seabirds namely Shags and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A Peregrine was also noted on Great Gannilly. 

Atlantic Grey Seal, Eastern Isles, Isles of Scilly

Atlantic Grey Seal, Eastern Isles, Isles of Scilly

The main event of the day was the pelagic trip in the evening where we steamed for c5km south of St Mary's before drifting for three hours. Whilst waiting for the boat to arrive at the quay 38 Sandwich Terns flew over Hugh Town Harbour. The real action began once we were out at sea and highlights from the evening included six Wilson's Storm Petrel including one bird in moult, 16 Great Shearwater, a Cory's Shearwater, c300 European Storm Petrel, a 70lb Blue Shark and a breaching Blue Fin Tuna. 

All the images below are not my own and have been taken by Joe Pender and Scott Reid. 

Wilson's Storm Petrels, Isles of Scilly (Joe Pender)

Wilson's Storm Petrel, Isles of Scilly (Joe Pender)

Great Shearwater, Isles of Scilly (Scott Reid)

Great Shearwater, Isles of Scilly (Scott Reid)

European Storm Petrel, Isles of Scilly (Scott Reid)

5th August 2020 - St Mary's

I started the day with an hours seawatch off Penninis Head and noted the following 30 Manx Shearwaters, ten Shags, six Gannets and two Fulmars whilst around the headland was three Meadow Pipits and two Song Thrush. 

Afterwards Sophie and I spent the day cycling around St Mary's taking in a variety of different sites. Not really a birding day but I noted the following nine Oystercatcher were at Thomas Porth. At Bar Point was 11 Oystercatcher and three Atlantic Grey Seals. Two Ringed Plover were at Porth Hellick and a Song Thrush, a Moorhen and three Mallard at Upper Moors and another Moorhen was at Newford Duck Pond. Last stop of the day was The Garrison where a tight flock of 30 Whimbrel flew in the direction of St Agnes. 

4th August 2020 - Penzance to St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

We were booked onto the 09:15 Scillionian III crossing to St Mary's, we used the IOS Travel Park & Ride system which worked well and before we knew it we were off to the Isles of Scilly. Whilst waiting for the boat to depart I noted two Rock Pipits on the quay and a juvenile Shag in Penzance Harbour. 

The crossing was a little choppy but provided some excellent birds in the form of a Great Shearwater, a Cory's Shearwater and a Sooty Shearwater. Also noted were three Ringed Plover and two Common Terns whilst cetaceans included six Common Dolphins. 

We spent the afternoon on St Mary's just relaxing putting our feet up and settling into our accommodation. Early evening two Swifts flew over Buzza. 

3rd August 2020 - Okehampton, Penzance and Porthgwarra

Sophie and I set off for Penzance at around 9am and enroute we stopped at a favourite location of mine Okehampton Castle. This site offers a good chance of seeing Dipper (a species I don't see very often) as well as taking in the nice surroundings of the castle which was built in 1068. Upon arrival we walked to the fast-flowing rocky stream and walked towards the town centre and had no luck but on our way back we found a Dipper feeding in the stream which showed really well and allowed for prolonged views before it was flushed by screaming children. 

Dipper, Okehampton, Devon

Okehampton Castle, Devon

Next stop was Penzance where we arrived around 3pm. After checking in at the hotel we walked into town and got a Cornish pasty and went and sat by the harbour where we were kept company by two Turnstones and a tame adult Dunlin. 

Penzance Harbour, Cornwall

Last stop of the day was a late evening walk at Porthgwarra in beautiful conditions, it was very sunny and there was little wind. We enjoyed taking in the spectacular views of the cliffs and also found a party of six Choughs which showed down to a few metres and allowed for great views. Offshore there was a light but constant procession of Manx Shearwaters moving as well as ten Shags on the sea. Around the headland we located two Rock Pipits, three Meadow Pipits, a juvenile Stonechat and c50 Linnets. 

Chough, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

Chough, Porthgwarra, Cornwall