Monday, November 30, 2020

30th November 2020 - Coombes and Cuckmere Valley

Over the last couple of days there has been a large influx of wild geese into Sussex, predominantly White-fronted Geese as well as seven Tundra Bean Geese and two Pink-footed Geese. No doubt this is linked to cold weather on the continent. 

At 12:15 today Chris Corrigan found four White-fronted Geese (two adults and two 1w) near Coombes in the Adur Valley at TQ 197 075. I quickly dashed over there as this was a local 'Worthing Uber Patch' tick for me. I arrived at 13:30 and I was very pleased to find the birds were still present and they showed reasonably well. It would appear that these birds are the first in the 'Worthing Uber Patch' since two were seen flying west off Worthing Beach on 9th January 2009. A bit of a local mega these days!! The largest flock I can find a record of in the local area is 90 on Shoreham Airfield between 6th January and 2nd February 1963. 

Three of the four White-fronted Geese (one adult and two 1w), Coombes, West Sussex

Given I was already halfway there I pressed onto the Cuckmere to look for the seven Tundra Bean Geese found earlier today by Brian Cox. I started looking opposite the Friston Forest Car Park and was delighted to find them instantly and showing very well, my best views of this species in the county. They were also with 15 White-fronted Geese, I found a further three White-fronted Geese in the field just to the south and then quickly stopped at Charleston Reedbed where I found Richard Fairbanks seven showing quite well. In total I saw 25 White-fronted Geese along with the seven Tundra Bean Geese. A very enjoyable afternoon! 

Three Tundra Bean Geese and two adult White-fronted Geese, Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex

If my calculations are correct, I make it 110 White-fronted Geese in Sussex today. (1 Southwick, 44 West Rise Marsh, 3 Burpham, 25 Cuckmere, 5 Sidlesham, 4 Adur, 20 Arlington and 8 at St Leonard's). If you take into account the two long stayers at both Pett Level and Amberley Wild Brooks that would make 114. Undoubtedly there will be more over the next few days!

Upon arriving home, I caught up on the few hours work I had missed. 

Sunday, November 29, 2020

29th November 2020 - Thursley Common

There are not many times you get the chance at a Rustic and Little Bunting at the same site in the same tree. Thursley Common was todays destination and Mum and I arrived at around 07:15. We headed out onto to the common where the buntings had been seen and after a short wait the Rustic Bunting showed itself to an ever growing socially distanced crowd. It never sat still for long and when it popped up it was always brief and whilst I had good views it was quite frustrating. After a little while longer the Little Bunting then popped up and done the same as the Rustic. As time passed it eventually showed for a prolonged period of time where I obtained very good views. I never managed a photograph of the Rustic as it never sat still for long enough. It was also good to catch up with Dan and Mike Booker as well as Dave, Tom and Lou Sadler. 

Little Bunting, Thursley Common, Surrey

Friday, November 27, 2020

27th November 2020 - Coalhouse Fort and Kingsdown

A good visit to Coalhouse Fort for the next instalment of wintering bird surveys. The scarcest birds for the site was a Great Crested Grebe on the river, only my second site record. Three Mute Swans on the river was also unusual. These birds were complimented by the usual suite of waders comprised mainly of Dunlin, Avocet, Grey Plover and Curlew. There were also three Bar-tailed Godwits, 36 Black-tailed Godwits, an Oystercatcher and 14 Redshank. Wildfowl comprised 302 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and four Shelduck. Also of note was 135 Lapwing on the new scrape roughly c1.5km north of the fort. 

After the survey, I headed to Kingsdown with Dad for the CRAG MARTIN. The journey was going extremely well until we got to St Margaret's at Cliffe where google maps directed us down a very narrow road which linked to Kingsdown. We drove down here for c1.5 miles where all of a sudden we found three concrete bollards in the middle of the road. There was only room for one car, we tried to do a three point turn but this resulted in getting the car stuck between the hedges on either side of the road. The tyres starting spinning in slippy mud and after some help from some cyclists passing we managed to get the car back onto the tarmac and Dad done an excellent job of reversing the car uphill (!) for c1.5 miles up the long narrow track. Whilst it sounds like this took a long time in reality it lost us around 20 minutes! Lesson to self, don't always trust Google Maps!!! 

We were now back on track and joined up with the main road to Kingsdown and we arrived on site after 10 minutes. We arrived to find a lot of glum looking birders who announced the bird hadn't been seen since 09:30 when it flew over the cliff. It was around 12:45 and we stuck it out till 15:45 it was now extremely cold and having only seen two Common Scoter, three Rock Pipits and a Peregrine we were feeling rather miserable and decided to head back to the car and head for home. Luckily as we turned back towards the car, a fellow birder shouted "CRAG MARTIN flying along the cliff". We instantly turned around and enjoyed good views of the bird hawking up and down the cliff for around 5 minutes before it settled on a rock and went to roost where we enjoyed excellent views. 

CRAG MARTIN, Kingsdown, Kent

A happy journey was had back to Sussex and we reminisced on what had been an eventful day and the what if's. Certainly a twitch I won't forget for a long time for various different reasons!!!!

Monday, November 23, 2020

23rd November 2020 - Rye Harbour NR

I was working out on Romney Marsh again in the morning. Afterwards, I called into Rye Harbour where I found the Shore Lark near the red rooted hut. It took me 30-40 minutes to find it but when I did, it showed well, a very pleasing Sussex tick and certainly one that won't get any easier! 

Shore Lark, Rye Harbour NR, East Sussex

On my way home I had a very quick look at Pett Level where I found the two adult White-fronted Geese, I was pleased to see these after the missing the ones at Amberley only a couple of days ago. 

Two adult White-fronted Geese, Pett Level, East Sussex


Saturday, November 21, 2020

21st November 2020 - Amberley Wildbrooks

Sophie and I went for a walk around Rackham Woods. We had a quick look for the two White-fronted Geese which we failed to find but we did see a juvenile Marsh Harrier. Very quiet in the woods!

Thursday, November 19, 2020

19th November 2020 - Itchenor to West Wittering

A long walk from Itchenor to the far end of East Head and back with Dad was fairly quiet in the blustery conditions. Of note were three Sandwich Terns, a Kingfisher, two Kestrels, seven Skylarks, three Goldcrests, 35 Fieldfares, a Stonechat and four Rock Pipits.

Whilst scanning the Brent Geese we picked out a possible Dark-bellied Brent x Black Brant hybrid on the greensward next to the East Head car park. It stood out from the throng by virtue of its more pronounced white neck collar. Interestingly it was quite aggressive and was seen to chase other Brents on several occasions. A quick look at various on line images shows it to be not dissimilar to some apparent hybrids in Holland https://gobirding.eu/Photos/BlackBrantxDarkbelliedBrentGoose.php

Possible Dark-bellied Brent x Black Brant, West Wittering, West Sussex

Not too much else at East Head bar an army of dog walkers, two Greenshank, and the usual adult Mediterranean Gull in the car park. Whilst scanning through the Brent Geese, it was disappointing to see a dog owner with two dogs off the lead flush all the Brent Geese and then proceed to do exactly the same thing on the way back. 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

17th November 2020 - Amberley Wildbrooks

I headed to Amberley Wildbrooks after work to look for raptors. Sadly, there was no sign of the male Hen Harrier on Amberley Wild Brooks late afternoon,  probably not helped by the weather. However there was a nice selection of raptors made up of a Merlin, three Marsh Harriers, two Buzzards and a Kestrel. I also saw a Raven, 33 Fieldfares, 18 Redwings along with the usual wildfowl suspects. Noted overhead were five Crossbills, three redpolls, eight Chaffinches, a Meadow Pipit and a flock of 30 Pied Wagtails heading off to roost. On my way back to the car, a Kingfisher was seen at Greatham Bridge.

Monday, November 16, 2020

16th November 2020 - RSPB Dungeness

I was working on Romney Marsh early morning. After my survey I called into Dungeness where a superb male Hen Harrier flew over Cook's Pool heading towards Lydd Ranges at very close range. Shortly after the two long staying Glossy Ibises made an appearance and showed well. Also seen was a Great White Egret. On my way home, I had a quick look at Scotney Gravel Pits but couldn't find the Long-tailed Duck

Glossy Ibis (1 of 2) and Grey Heron, RSPB Dungeness, Kent


Friday, November 13, 2020

13th November 2020 - Ferring Rife and Goring Gap

I met up with a socially distanced George Kinnard and we birded Ferring Rife and Goring Gap. We started at Ferring Rife where we recorded the following: The female Kingfisher was still present, a Little Egret was on the rife itself and a Green Woodpecker was seen in the area of the second lagoon. Overhead was two Meadow Pipits that headed north and 34 Goldfinches headed east.

Female Kingfisher, Ferring Rife, West Sussex

Next stop was Goring Gap where the highlight was a Firecrest in the holm oaks at the northern end. Elsewhere, the beach held 58 Turnstones and c30 Sanderling. Offshore was a Great Crested Grebe, nine Gannets flew west and an Auk Sp. flew east. On the greensward was a Rook (only my 2nd here) with 56 Carrion Crows. The roost field held two Mediterranean Gulls. Other birds noted included: two Goldcrests, three Jays, a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, two Greenfinches, two Stonechats and 15+ Skylarks.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

12th November 2020 - Goring Gap and Ferring Rife

A quiet morning spent at Goring Gap. Noted in the roost early morning was 111 Black-headed Gulls, seven Herring Gulls, two Great Black-backed Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Gull. Offshore a Brent Goose flew west and on the beach was nine Turnstone.

Afterwards at Ferring Rife, I recorded a female Kingfisher, a flock of redpolls heard overhead but not seen, single Siskin east and eight Moorhens.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

11th November 2020 - Goring Gap

The highlight from a short seawatch between 07:15 - 07:45 was a Great Skua that flew west albeit distantly. Also 25 Common Scoter E, six Brent Geese W, five Auk Sp. E, a Red-breasted Merganser E and two Great Crested Grebes offshore.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

10th November 2020 - Goring Gap and The Burgh

Most of the action at Goring Gap today was offshore. The clear highlight was two Velvet Scoter which flew west at 10:04. 31 Brent Geese (2 and 29) and two adult Mediterranean Gulls also headed in the same direction. On the sea was two each of Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. On the beach was six Sanderling, 51 Turnstone, 12 Grey Plover, 56 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover, a Redshank, 16 Oystercatcher and two Pied Wagtails. The roost field held a 2w Mediterranean Gull and four Great Black-backed Gulls. The plantation near the toilet block held c10 Goldcrests. Noted in the fields, a further 11 Pied Wagtails, two Stock Doves, 13 Skylarks, three Meadow Pipits and a male Stonechat was in the rough field. I returned early afternoon and a drake Eider flew west at 13:33. There had been an increase in Red-breasted Mergansers to 10 and a raft of 10 Common Scoter were offshore and a further two flew west.

Late afternoon after I had finished work I headed up to The Burgh above Arundel. An enjoyable session even though I did not see the hoped for male or ringtail Hen Harrier. I had nice views of a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, three Marsh Harriers, 11 Red Kites, two Kestrels, a Buzzard, four Ravens and 16 Grey Partridge

Monday, November 9, 2020

9th November 2020 - Coalhouse Fort, Essex

An excellent survey today at Coalhouse Fort, my best for quite a while, 55 species recorded in total! The mudflats held my first site record of both Little Stint and Sanderling, the latter being particularly scarce here. Whilst these were complimented by 1836 Dunlin, two Avocet, eight Bar-tailed Godwits, 11 Curlew, 48 Grey Plover, 200 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, nine Ringed Plover, 13 Shelduck and 104 Teal. Passage over the river included 137 Brent Geese and 23 Wigeon flying up river towards Dartford. Highlights from the bushes included a Dartford Warbler around the moat and 1+ Bearded Tits were calling from the reedbed c1km north of the fort. Notable farmland birds included five Corn Buntings, 49 Linnets, 12 Reed Buntings, three Skylarks and 19 Meadow Pipits

Sanderling, Coalhouse Fort, Essex


Sunday, November 8, 2020

8th November 2020 - Brooklands

Dad and I headed back to Brooklands this morning in hope of some more vismig and it certainly did not disappoint and were joined by a socially distanced Mike and Karen Galtry. Totals from this morning included (08:15 - 10:30): 3438 Goldfinches (!), 52 redpoll, 35 Chaffinches, 24 Siskins, two Linnets, a Redwing and a Swallow. All birds again were following the coast flying east. Also noted during this period were 26 Brent Geese (flocks of 9 and 17) which flew south over the park, indicative of overland rather than coastal passage and a further five flew west offshore. 

The star bird in the bushes was a very late Common Whitethroat which took a liking to the gorse bush at the southern end of the park accompanied by two each of Stonechat and Reed Bunting. A Cetti's Warbler sang from the reeds. A Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were in flight over the lake but there was no sign of the two Gadwall today however an adult Common Gull briefly made an appearance. Other totals from the morning included: five Meadow Pipits, 10 Goldcrests, a Kestrel, a Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Saturday, November 7, 2020

7th November 2020 - Brooklands, Steepdown and Beeding Brooks

Since last Thursday evening I have been locked away in self isolation after the NHS Track & Trace App told me I had to do this for nine days! I was itching to get out today and visited the following sites.

An excellent morning for diurnal passage at Brooklands produced 2545 Goldfinches (!), five Crossbills, 20 Siskins, 23 redpoll, a Brambling, six Chaffinches, five Meadow Pipits, 10 Linnets, two Skylarks and five House Martins. All birds were passing over the south end of Brooklands heading east following the coastline. 

The bushes held two Goldcrests, three Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker. The lake held two Gadwall, 17 Mallards, two Great Black-backed Gulls, five Mute Swans, 12 Teal and a Little Grebe. A Water Rail was heard from the reeds whilst also hiding away was two Cetti's Warblers and more obliging was a  Stonechat perched near the southern end of the lake. Over the golf course was two Sparrowhawks and two Kestrels and a Song Thrush headed east over the old refuse tip.

Afterwards I headed to Steepdown completing a circular loop where I noted two Buzzards, c80 Corn Buntings, two Kestrels, 40+ Skylarks, four Goldcrests, five Meadow Pipits, three Stonechats, five Linnets, two Reed Buntings and a Brimstone was on the wing.

I spent late afternoon on Beeding Brooks where two redhead Goosanders passed south along the River Adur opposite St Peter's Church. A Barn Owl and Kingfisher were also seen.