31st December 2020 - Goring Gap

A quiet end of year visit to Goring Gap produced 15 Ringed Plover, a Turnstone, 38 Dunlin, three Skylarksand two Pied Wagtails in the roost field. On the beach, a Redshank was roosting on the groynes. Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in the eastern most plantation along with three Goldcrests and a Greenfinch.

30th December 2020 - Climping Beach and Goring Gap

A morning walk from the car park at Climping to the mouth of the River Arun and back produced ca.100 Dunlin, 44 Ringed Plover, 38 Turnstone, three Sanderling, four Oystercatcher and 23 Grey Plover. Offshore was very quiet with just a single Gannet, a Red-throated Diver and six Mediterranean Gulls noted. Passerines included a Stonechat, eight Meadow Pipits, five Pied Wagtails, seven Greenfinches, two Linnets and a flyover Grey Wagtail.

Late afternoon in the roost field at Goring Gap were up to c1500 gulls. They comprised mainly of Common and Black-headed Gulls. Much to my surprise, I could only find two Mediterranean Gulls amongst them.

29th December 2020 - Brooklands

The drake Pochard was still present on the lake this morning along with eight Mute Swans, nine Teal, two Little Grebes and 14 Moorhens. In the stream near the sewage works was a Grey Heron. On the beach was eight Turnstone. Offshore was two Slavonian Grebes, three Great Crested Grebes and 22 Red-breasted Mergansers whilst two Red-throated Divers and four Auk Sp. headed W and three Common Scoters headed E. Others birds noted around the park included a Kestrel, a Jay, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, six Pied Wagtails and a Reed Bunting. 

28th December 2020 - Goring-by-Sea

A short walk this morning from home down to Sea Lane and through the L-Shaped road at Goring Gap produced a 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull off Goring Greensward. Five Dark-bellied Brent Geese and two Oystercatchers flew E. Of note in the roost field at Goring Gap were 12 Ringed Plovers and two Mediterranean Gulls. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming in the Holm Oak plantation. Pretty quiet but just nice to get some fresh air!

17th December 2020 - Brooklands and Goring-by-Sea

I met up with a socially distanced David and Beni at Brooklands. Highlights from our walk included the drake Pochard, along with a Little Grebe, five Teal and the family of Mute Swans. Along the stream was a Kingfisher, while other birds included a Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Redwing and a Meadow Pipit.

Mid-afternoon produced a shock when a Rose-ringed Parakeet flew over my flat mid-afternoon in Goring, a nice uber patch tick. 

16th December 2020 - Reigate Park, Surrey

I ventured up to Surrey mid-afternoon for the female Ring-necked Duck. The bird gave excellent views, however the weather wasn't up to much. 

Female Ring-necked Duck, Reigate Park, Surrey

12th December 2020 - Burpham

At Burpham this morning there were just 12 White-fronted Geese and no sign of the two Pink-footed Geese below St Mary's Church. The Siberian Chiffchaff was still present at the sewage works. Also noted a male Marsh Harrier and two Red Kites.