16th April 2019 - Marine Gardens, Worthing

I shot down to Marine Gardens to look for the Red-necked Grebe, which upon arrival was being watched by the finder Nick Oliver. The bird was distant but when I got onto it, it showed well. My 3rd in Sussex this year! I presume this is probably the same bird which has been lingering off this area of the coast for a while and was seen off Rustington by Garry the other day. The sea was dead other than the grebe and the only notables I had were 7 Common Scoter east as well as 2 Gannets.

15th April 2019 - Cissbury Ring and Southwick Hill

A lunchtime walk with Sophie around Cissbury Ring was quiet with the only birds of note being 3 Swallows which passed through north as well as a Chiffchaff around the bushes and a Green Woodpecker was heard from the wood. On our way home over Long Furlong there was a Red Kite, 2 Buzzards and unusually a Grey Heron which flew over. Shortly after, Titnore Lane produced 2 more Buzzards. 

Cissbury Ring, West Sussex

Later that day I went up onto Southwick Hill for a walk with Mum. This produced very little other than my first Whitethroat of the year. Also 2 Blackcaps and singles of Stock Dove and Corn Bunting. 

14th April 2019 - Cuckmere Haven

A mad dash over to the Cuckmere Haven to look for the Kentish Plover, found by Nick Pope mid-morning on the west side. I parked at Chyngton Farm as I thought the pub car park would be packed given it was a Sunday and the middle of the day. As I got out the car, I bumped into Matt who informed me it was still there much to my relief. I walked down the track quickly and set up my scope at the bottom of the path. I picked out the Kentish however it was distant and there was heat haze to contend with. I walked round to the river bank to try and obtain better views however this failed as the wind was very strong and was moving my scope and again there was heat haze to contend with. Feeling fed up, I went back round to where I started from and managed better views of the Kentish and luckily the heat haze had got better and the wind had dropped off. The Kentish was associating with 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin, whilst also present was a single Grey Plover. Sadly,  the Kentish was too far away for any photographs.

The Kentish Plover turned out to be my 250th bird in Sussex, a nice way to bring up 250!

12th April 2019 - London

On our way to Liverpool Street Station, I spotted a Peregrine over the city. Surely eyeing up its next victim - an amazing sight to see this species in the metropolis of London.

Near Liverpool Street Station, London

11th April 2019 - London

Back to London again for a short visit to celebrate Sophie's Birthday. Limited birding opportunities as expected but we had a quick stop in Hyde Park to rest our feet. It was quiet but I recorded 2 Goldfinches, a Wren, a Blue Tit and a single Ring-necked Parakeet.

10th April 2019 - Steep Down, Lancing

Feeling motivated after seeing the Dotterel in Hampshire on the 7th, I decided to try and find some in Sussex. Dotterel has been recorded at Steep Down in the past with the previous record being in 2010. The fields looked suitable but a careful scan of the bare flinty field didn't produce any. Alas, I will keep trying.

Steep Down, Lancing, West Sussex

Despite, not finding any, there was compensation for my efforts with 15 Corn Buntings around the bushes at the southern end as well as 2 Yellowhammers. Also 6 Wheatears passed through and the field held several singing Skylarks and 4 Grey Partridge.

Steep Down, Lancing, West Sussex

9th April 2019 - Goring Gap, Ferring Rife and Cissbury Ring

I started the day at Goring Gap where it was extremely quiet, a noticeable clear out of the few migrants that lingered the day before. Birds of note from my visit included 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Linnet, 4 Stock Dove, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Green Woodpeckers and a Jay. 

Feeling fed up at the lack of birds at Goring Gap, I tried Ferring Rife around the corner which again was quiet but still managed to out do Goring Gap. Around the bushes on the rife were 3 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler and 2 Green Woodpeckers. A Swallow also passed through north. 

Around midday, I ventured up to Cissbury Ring, a place I haven't been to for a long time. Sadly, rain cut my visit short here but birds of note included a single House Martin north, a Yellowhammer, a Nuthatch, a Song Thrush and a Kestrel. I also found a female Slow Worm out on a footpath, my second this year. 

Female Slow Worm, Cissbury Ring, West Sussex