26th October 2020 - Bewbush, Crawley

I ventured up to Bewbush Playing Fields mid-afternoon after work to go and look for the Dusky Warbler found by Tony Cook on the Sunday. The bird called occasionally and showed quite well on a few occasions, my first in Sussex, sadly I didn't manage any photographs. The good autumn in Sussex continues! 

23rd October 2020 - St Mary's Bay and Dungeness

I was surveying on Romney Marsh in the morning where the pick of the birds was a Peregrine. After my survey I headed over to Dungeness where I had excellent views of the two long staying Glossy Ibises on Cook's Pool. Also here was two Cattle Egrets, a Great White Egret and a Marsh Harrier.

Glossy Ibises, Dungeness, Kent

I decided to go and have a look at the gulls along the road to the lighthouse until there was news of a Shore Lark on the golf course at Littlestone. I arrived after 10-15 minutes and had excellent views of this scarce visitor to Kent. I watched for bird for around 10 minutes before it flew off after being flushed by dog walkers. Despite a bit of searching I couldn't find the long staying Red-backed Shrike, it was seen again later in the day by Owen Leyshon.

Shore Lark, Littlestone Golf Course, Kent

On my way home I called into Pett Level where I found two White-fronted Geese on the pools with the blue morph Snow Goose. 

22nd October 2020 - Coalhouse Fort, Essex

The first survey of the new season was quiet but there was a few bits of interest. The mudflats held 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, 72 Dunlin, 18 Ringed Plover, seven Redshank, 18 Curlew, 22 Grey Plover, 13 Shelduck and an Oystercatcher whilst seven Brent Geese flew upriver. A Marsh Harrier was quartering the saltings near the radar tower whilst overhead were two Crossbills (site tick), a Brambling, six redpolls, a Grey Wagtail and 46 Goldfinches. The bushes around the old pillbox produced six Corn Buntings whilst the SSSI area produced a Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail and at the most northern part of my survey boundary were 33 Black-headed, 31 Herring, two Common and a Yellow-legged Gull. 

Yellow-legged Gull, Coalhouse Fort, Essex

21st October 2020 - RSPB Medmerry

After finishing work for the day, I went down to Medmerry for the potential STEJNEGER'S STONECHAT. Upon arrival it wasn't showing but after a short wait, I obtained good views of this potential first for Sussex. Well done to visiting birder Peter Alfrey for this excellent find and to Matt Eade for his persistence in obtaining a DNA sample. 

Potential Stejneger's Stonechat, RSPB Medmerry, West Sussex

18th October 2020 - Spurn (Day 6 of 6)

I decided to hang around until midday just incase something turned up. Dad and I started the morning with a visit to Kilnsea Wetlands where the pick of the birds were the 10 Whooper Swans as well as two Ruff and a Tufted Duck (trip tick). 

The Spurn recording area was very quiet but there was a Great Grey Shrike at Skeffling so we decided to venture round the corner to see that. The bird performed superbly giving cracking views in brilliant light. We had the bird all to ourselves and we also saw a Marsh Harrier. 

Great Grey Shrike, Skeffling, East Yorkshire

I decided to pack up for the day after this and drive home. I arrived home at just gone 16:30. A brilliant few days away and thanks to Mum and Dad for their hospitality! 

17th October 2020 - Spurn (Day 5 of 6)

We started the day seawatching off The Warren and were rewarded with a great views of a Little Auk heading north relatively close inshore, my first in the UK since the Southwick Canal bird in 2007. Other birds of note included five Eiders, 10 Red-throated Divers and 50 Common Scoters. The radio crackled and news of a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL had us abandon the seawatching and head straight to Rose Cottage. After a short wait, a few other birders and I had a very brief view of it and after that it went missing and wasn't seen again. Also seen whilst at Rose Cottage were a flock of 150 Fieldfares which passed overhead. 

We walked around the corner and a Tundra Bean Goose flew overhead passing over The Observatory. We headed out to Sammy's Point where we found a Yellow-browed Warbler in the third paddock and three Marsh Harriers passed through Easington Straight. There was a report of a DUSKY WARBLER at Sammy's Point however there was no sight or sound of the bird whilst we visited. We headed back to Kilnsea and had another looked for the Red-flanked Bluetail however there was still no sign. Frank Cackett cycled past us and let us know that a PALLAS'S WARBLER had just been trapped at The Warren and would be shown in 10 minutes. We arrived at The Warren to a large presence of birders who were all spaced out at 2m distance to abide with social distancing and the bird was paraded along the line before being released and diving into cover. 

Pallas's Warbler, The Warren, East Yorkshire

We decided to have a walk around The Triangle which produced a strange sight of a flock of 150 Jackdaws passing north through The Narrows, where were they going? Also seen was three Bullfinches, a Long-tailed Tit and a Mistle Thrush. A look in the Crown & Anchor car park produced nice views of another Yellow-browed Warbler and a Siberian Chiffchaff and in the churchyard next door a Firecrest performed well. 

Firecrest, Kilnsea Churchyard, East Yorkshire

It was now late afternoon and we headed back to Easington. Mum and I walked along Vicar's Lane out to the Gas Terminal we didn't see much and suddenly my phone went off. It was Spurn Bird Observatory 'RED FLANKED-BLUETAIL trapped in Church Field', without doubt the same bird as earlier in the day. A quick phonecall to Dad and he picked us up from the northern end of Vicar's Lane. We were soon in Church Field enjoying amazing views of this stunning bird in the hand. A great way to end an awesome days birding! 

Red-flanked Bluetail, Church Field, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire

16th October 2020 - Spurn (Day 4 of 6)

We set off from our accommodation in Easington and drove down to The Warren where a Short-eared Owl was hunting at first light close to the road. Our plan today was to bird The Point and whilst walking across the The Breach, five Eider headed north over the sea and a flock of 337 Pink-footed Geese flew south over The Humber. At Middle Camp was 87 Dark-bellied Brent Geese with a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose. It was very windy which made finding birds very difficult but we did manage 65 Redwings, three Fieldfares, 22 Goldcrests, five Stonechats, two Rock Pipits, a Kestrel, 24 Blackbirds, a Sparrowhawk, 13 Skylarks, a Siskin, eight Bramblings, a Woodcock, three Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. Our walk back to The Warren also added a vocal Siberian Chiffchaff in the Sheep Fields and a Black Redstart at Middle Camp. 

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Middle Camp, Spurn Point, East Yorkshire

Black Redstart, Middle Camp, Spurn Point, East Yorkshire

The afternoon was spent birding around Easington and down to Sammy's Point where we found another Siberian Chiffchaff at Terminal Wood. Also 37 Redwings, five redpolls, 25 Goldcrests, three Chiffchaffs, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Mistle Thrush. Walking south from Hull Road towards Sammy's Point produced a flock of 61 Pink-footed Geese grazing in a field close to the muddy track we were walking along. The 10 Whooper Swans were still near Sammy's. On our way back to Easington walking north along Humberside Lane added a female Bullfinch, four Swallows, a Buzzard, two Blackcaps and a flyover Grey Wagtail. 

Pink-footed Geese, Easington, East Yorkshire

15th October 2020 - Spurn (Day 3 of 6)

A nice start to the day watching 10+ Goldcrests feeding on the lawn at Cliff Farm. News soon broke of a Bluethroat at Sammy's Point, we headed round there and despite many other birders looking it wasn't refound. Pick of the birds at Sammy's was a smart Snow Bunting which landed on a rock infront of me on the tideline before departing east towards Chalkies Point. The 10 Whooper Swans were still present in fields just to the north whilst other birds noted in and around The Paddocks was a Whinchat, three Redstarts, a Yellow-browed Warbler and a few Blackcaps and a Chiffchaffs.

Snow Bunting, Sammy's Point, East Yorkshire

As we got back to the main road from Easington to Kilnsea news broke of an Olive-backed Pipit in the Obs Garden. However, it's stay was short lived before it 'flicked' next door. A crowd soon assembled and Steve Exley went next door to try and flush the bird back into the Obs Garden although this failed to produce the goods. We headed round to Cliff Farm where we saw another Yellow-browed Warbler probably the same bird as the day before. 

Other birds seen throughout the day included: Peregrine over Beacon Lane, 14 Swallows, a Rock Pipit, a Snipe, a Woodcock and a female Merlin as well as the classic east coast migrants. 

14th October 2020 - Spurn (Day 2 of 6)

Started the morning by hearing Redwings and having a Woodcock fly over our accommodation in Easington around 06:45. We set off to the The Warren in high hopes and on route came across a Barn Owl hunting over Syke’s Field. Upon arrival at The Warren it was clear that there were birds around although mainly comprising of Redwing and Fieldfare. We walked back north along the cliff where we saw a Great Northern Diver and c30 Wigeon head south over the sea. Calling in at the Canal Scrape hide didn’t produce much other than four flyover Mute Swans (three adults and a juv). Heading along The Canal we found Blackcap, Grey Wagtail passed overhead and a Water Rail was heard squealing from the reedbeds. 

Mute Swans, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire

Upon arrival at Cliff Farm we found a smart Yellow-Browed Warbler flitting around with Goldcrests in the trees. We moved into the Crown & Anchor car park where we found little other than another Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs flitting around in the trees. The field behind the pub was alive with Fieldfares, Redwings and Blackbirds although nothing scarcer could be found with them. We picked up a tweet whilst in the car park that there was another Yellow-Browed Warbler at Pancho’s Pond, a brief look failed to produce the goods. A rain shower passed through and we took shelter under the bird observatory cycle shed. Once the rain had cleared we headed into Church Field where again we enjoyed the thrushes behind the Crown & Anchor. After Church Field we headed into the Churchyard where there were a few Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff, it seemed likely that the crests had dropped in after the shower. 

Moving onto Syke’s Field we found two Yellowhammers, a few Tree Sparrows, a Blackcap, a Redstart and more Goldcrests. From here we headed up Beacon Lane and was alerted to a PALLAS’S WARBLER at Chalk Bank. We chose to ignore the news and finish our circuit but it was agreed amongst the three of us we would go and look once back at The Warren. Between Beacon Lane and The Warren we didn’t see much although a Short-eared Owl flew South and headed over The Humber. 

Redwing, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire

We set off down the point and arrived at Chalk Bank with no sign of the PALLAS’S WARBLER despite several others looking. There were plenty of Goldcrests and Mum flushed a Woodcock from the dunes. A heavy shower passed through and we took shelter in the hide. A message came through to say the PALLAS’S WARBLER has been re-found at Middle Camp. We waited for the rain to pass and headed up there. Upon arrival there was plenty of birders looking and at one point the bird was surrounded, it took flight and headed south again back down the point, I obtained poor views, very unsatisfactory. It was then once again relocated where I saw it briefly perched and then the bird went to ground and wasn’t seen again, a very frustrating experience. Whilst standing on the dunes the radio went off to say ‘RADDE’S WARBLER trapped and ringed in Church Field, it will be shown at 13:00’. There was no way we would make it so it's one that got away. We arrived back at the car and quickly called into Church Field but there was no sign after the bird had been released. We headed back to our accommodation in Easington for some food. The afternoon was spent looking around Easington (Terminal Wood and south along the cliff) best birds seen was a Redstart and two Bullfinches in Terminal Wood whilst the rest of the walk produced more of the same classic east coast migrants (Redwing, Fieldfare and Goldcrests) we had  seen earlier in the day.

13th October 2020 - Spurn (Day 1 of 6)

I arrived at Spurn late afternoon after a long drive from Sussex. Expectations were high, NE winds were blowing in off the North Sea was Spurn going to score big this week? Upon arrival, I headed up to the viewing platform behind the obs to meet Mum and Dad where we watched Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds piling in off, a spectacular sight! Also noted off the platform was a flock of c50 Brent Geese which included one Pale-bellied Brent Goose. A noisy flock of c300 Pink-footed Geese headed south too. 

Pink-footed Geese, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire

With only a couple of hours daylight to play with a quick look in The Triangle area produced a Spotted Redshank and a Grey Wagtail on The Humber. Next stop was Chalkies Point where we obtained nice views of my first two Yellow-browed Warblers of the trip before crossing over the road to West Mere Farm where we saw Little Owl and two Bramblings. We finished the day watching a herd of 10 Whooper Swans at Sammy's Point. 

Little Owl, West Mere Farm, Kilnsea, East Yorkshire

11th October 2020 - Seaford Head

I was at the top of Cissbury Ring looking for Ring Ouzels failing miserably with just four Mistle Thrushes seen. The phone goes, it's Dad: 'Radde's Warbler at Seaford Head, found by Jon Curson'. The morning at Cissbury was quickly aborted and I got to Seaford within the hour. I approached the radio-mast to find Jon and a few others although the bird had gone to ground and hadn't been seen for a while. More birders were starting to arrive and after a short period Chris Ball refound it a short distance from where Jon last saw it. It initially gave brief views but could be heard calling. I stayed a few hours and eventually managed excellent views of this attractive warbler. A world tick for me! 

Radde's Warbler, Seaford Head, East Sussex

Other birds seen throughout the morning included a couple of Ravens, a few Bramblings overhead and three Wheatears. 

10th October 2020 - Keyhaven Marshes and Burton Mill Pond

I headed into Hampshire with Max Robards where we obtained excellent views of the Wilson's Phalarope, my first in the UK. There were also two Grey Phalaropes on the same lagoon although upon arrival there was no sign. A quick look on the next lagoon over produced the goods and we had good scope views.

Wilson's Phalarope, Keyhaven Marshes, Hampshire

We headed back to Sussex after our quick raid the other side of the border. Our next location was Burton Mill Pond to look for the Purple Heron. We arrived around 3pm and had to wait till 18:30pm until the bird decided to fly to roost. It gave a nice 5 minute fly around before perching in its usual willow tree on the south side of the pond. A successful day particularly for Max as he got 3 new birds!

Purple Heron, Burton Mill Pond, West Sussex

9th October 2020 - The Dip of all Dips continued

After the previous evening, I returned home and tried to sleep. My mind was so active and full of 'what if's', I eventually got to sleep and probably had the worst night sleep I've had for a long time before I knew it the alarm had gone and I was back off to Church Norton. I arrived before first light bumping into Richard Fairbank and Garry Messenbird in the car park. As it approached dawn more hopeful birders were gathering at The Severals incl. Ed Stubbs, George Kinnard, Michael Booker, Dan Booker et al. We waited and we waited although there was no sign of the Common Nighthawk, I eventually gave up at 8am and returned home for 9am and started work for the day. Birds noted over the course of the morning included a Crossbill, a few redpolls and a Merlin. 

To be absolutely certain the bird had truly gone I returned again at dusk and stayed until last light again with several other birders. Once again it never turned up and I was then truly satisfied in my own mind I had given it my best go but it wasn't enough. 

8th October 2020 - Church Norton - The Dip of all Dips

It's a quiet Thursday evening, I had just finished working from home for the day and the Selsey Peninsula WhatsApp group pings, it's Andy Wilkes to say he has just seen a Nightjar at The Severals. When I received this message I was actually on FaceTime to my dad and jokingly said 'I bet it's a Common Nighthawk' but this is Sussex and we don't get American Vagrants other than once in a blue moon although this was The Vicar, a man who has a history of photographing rare birds on the Selsey Peninsula.

Owen Mitchell is the first to reply and asks if Andy had photographed the bird? A reply soon comes and he said he will send an image once he's home. 1 hour and 16 minutes passes and Andy sends a photograph, it's a brilliant image of a COMMON NIGHTHAWK. A few replies start coming through all stating it's a Common Nighthawk. I was already in the car and on my way, the next 45 minutes to 1 hour are all a bit of blur, I was in complete headless chicken mode. Surely this couldn't be? My phone was pinging non-stop, I had what seemed like the whole of the Sussex Birding community ringing and texting me. 

The journey was smooth although anyone driving at less than 70mph was a pain in the ass. I was flying down the Selsey Road until I got too Sidlesham. Here I encountered two cyclists and a long line of traffic in front of me who were being very reluctant to overtake. I probably lost 5 minutes due to this and in hindsight this probably cost me the bird. I had a phone call from Dad to say 'it is showing now and flying around The Severals'. I was still 10 minutes away and this felt like an eternity. I eventually pulled into the Church Norton car park and grabbed everything and ran for The Severals. I was the first 'non-local birder' on site and got to Pagham Spit to see six or so other birders (Ian Pitts, Bart Ives, Chris Janman et al.) shouting at me that 'it was flying down the spit'. Andy Wilkes was standing next to me and had it in his bins but despite my best efforts I couldn't get on it. 

COMMON NIGHTHAWK, The Severals. Photo: Andy Wilkes

Dan and Michael Booker were about a minute behind me and got there bins on it as it went over towards Pagham and then behind Tern Island. George Kinnard and Luke Dray were next to arrive missing it by no more then a couple of minutes followed by Nick Oliver and Ashley Howe. I knew when it flew across the harbour my moment had gone, I had lost my chance at a seeing a 'once in a lifetime event' and a 'county blocker'. Once it had disappeared from sight I returned to The Severals hoping for a reappearance but this was more out of hope than expectation. 

It's taken me a while to write this blog post as it's something I would rather forget about than relive as its probably my lowest point in birding (even ahead of dipping Rufous-crowned pitasoma two days running in Ecuador). It's a great shame news didn't get out earlier and then everyone in Sussex probably would've seen this unique event. 

6th October 2020 - Beachy Head and Burton Mill Pond

Firstly, I would like to say thanks to work for allowing me to head over to Beachy Head to look for the Lapland Bunting and my thanks to Laurence Pitcher for giving me precise directions on where to look for the bird/s. The previous day there had been two but only one was present today. I arrived around midday and headed straight for where Laurence told me to start looking. It was extremely windy at the top of Beachy Head, I reckon gale force 7-8. After 5 minutes of searching I came across four birders, two of them being Simon Linnington and John Gowers. As edged closer, I was very pleased to see them all watching the bird and it was giving great views, down to c10m. It was so windy, I had to lay down and I watched it happily feeding away for 45 minutes. A lovely bird and another county tick! 

Lapland Bunting, Beachy Head, East Sussex

Once I was home, I made up the hours I had lost by going over to Beachy Head. Early evening, I headed back to Burton Mill Pond where again the juvenile Purple Heron was seen in flight leaving the reedbed on the left of the viewing platform at 18:34 before perching in the willows on the south side of the pond. Unfortunately the light was going quick so not the best views of it perched but better than nothing! 

Juvenile Purple Heron, Burton Mill Pond, West Sussex

5th October 2020 - Burton Mill Pond

I was lucky that I was working in the evening so I gave it another go for the juvenile Purple Heron in the morning. I got extremely lucky and after around 20 minutes of waiting it flew across the pond and then dropped into the reedbed to the left of the viewing platform. I had around 30 seconds of flight views, sadly no camera on me. I found out later in the day that the bird wasn't seen again until 18:30pm that evening. Also seen was a Kingfisher, two Hobbies, a late Reed Warbler, five Great Crested Grebes and a Grey Heron. 

4th October 2020 - Burton Mill Pond and Brooklands

I gave it an hour at dawn for the juvenile Purple Heron found by Dave and Penny Green the day before at Burton Mill Pond. The weather was awful it was chucking it down with rain and it was very windy, I packed it in at 8am but didn't think the bird had departed overnight given the weather conditions. I did see two Kingfishers, five Great Crested Grebes and a Hobby. 

I headed to Brooklands afterwards where I met up with David and in a brief search we found a female Tufted Duck on the lake along with four Teal, a Little Grebe and a singing Cetti's Warbler. The weather was really deteriorating by now so I headed home and got some jobs around the house done. 

3rd October 2020 - Widewater Lagoon

I finally connected with the Mandarin this morning despite trying on multiple other occasions. A very pleasing and mega 'Worthing Uber Patch' tick. Other birds noted included a redhead Red-breasted Merganser, five Little Grebes, two Kingfishers and two Little Egrets. 

1st October 2020 - Goring-by-Sea and Ferring Rife

A Grey Wagtail flew west over the flat at 11:55am. After work I headed out again for a walk along Ferring Rife, a very quiet venture but not surprising. Birds seen included 12 Moorhens, three Grey Herons, four Chiffchaffs, three Swallows, 16 Goldfinches, a Greenfinch, a Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk and a House Martin.