Birding Dungeness for American Wigeon

Friday 13th February 2026 and Saturday 14th February 2026

Dungeness and Scotney Gravel Pits

My only previous encounter with an American Wigeon was back in 2016 at RSPB Pulborough Brooks in Sussex, and that bird couldn’t have been more cooperative - close in, settled, and showing beautifully. This latest attempt was a very different experience. With the vast, saturated landscape at Scotney and the bird’s restless behaviour, it was hardly surprising that it proved difficult to pin down. Despite a solid effort from several other birders and me on Friday, the wigeon managed to evade us completely. It wasn’t until the following day that I finally connected with it, bringing a satisfying end to what had become a far more challenging search than my first encounter with the species.

Friday – Scotney GP and Dungeness

Although the American Wigeon remained elusive throughout Friday, the day produced several notable records.

A family group of three Whooper Swans was present on the fields behind the Jurys Gap sand pit. The birds were feeding quietly and remained in view throughout, offering good scope views.

At Scotney Sward, a tightly packed flock of at least 250 Golden Plovers - my first of 2026 - was gathered on the grass. The birds were largely stationary in the blustery conditions, forming a dense, shimmering mass.

Later in the afternoon, a visit to the ARC Hanson hide at Dungeness RSPB added further interest. A drake Goldeneye and a female were observed diving regularly on the open water, remaining visible for an extended period.

Despite the main target evading detection, the supporting cast provided worthwhile compensation and ensured the day was far from wasted.

Saturday – Scotney Sward and Dungeness Fishing Boat Area

Conditions improved significantly on Saturday. Around ten other birders were already on site when I arrived at the Scotney Sward area at lunchtime, and it wasn’t long before the American Wigeon was located among the scores of Eurasian Wigeon. After the previous day’s frustrations, the views were steady and conclusive.

American Wigeon - courtesy of Plodding Birder and Bluesky

Moving on to the Dungeness fishing boat area, seawatching proved productive. Scores of Guillemots were moving west to east, many of them close inshore. A couple of Red‑throated Divers were also present on the water near the shoreline, drifting and diving in calm conditions. In addition, several Gannets passed close to the shore, their purposeful flight lines bringing them well within range.  Perhaps the most interesting event of the day was the sight of thousands - yes thousands - of Cormorants flying west to east close to the shoreline.  Where were they coming from and where were they going to? 

The improved weather conditions certainly brought out the best of the day’s birding and rounded off the visit on a high note.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

106 Whooper Swan

107  Golden Plover

108 Goldeneye

109 American Wigeon

110 Guillemot

111 Red-throated Diver

112 Gannet

Tilgate Park, Crawley

Wednesday 28th January 2026  

Today was a relaxed twitch. A drake Goosander had been reported at Tilgate Park, and when I arrived it was showing well along the western edge of the main lake.

The bird is the second from the left in the phone photo below.

A simple outing, but a rewarding one. Always nice when a target bird is exactly where it’s supposed to be!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

105 Goosander

Chichester Twitch for Slavonian Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser

26th January 2026 - Chichester

My first stop was the Platinum Jubilee Country Park in Chichester, where I went to twitch the Slavonian Grebe that has been lingering in this rather unusual habitat for several days. True to form, the grebe was showing well, accompanied by a few Mute Swans nearby.

With time to spare, I moved on to Dell Quay to scan the high tide for mergansers, grebes, and divers. The only species that obliged were Red‑breasted Mergansers, with at least two pairs giving excellent views

New species for the 2026 Year List:

103 Slavonian Grebe

104 Red-breasted Merganser

Raptor Watch at Arundel WWT with the Ashdown Bird Group

 Six members of us from the Ashdown Bird Group visited Arundel WWT on Friday 23 January 2026 for an afternoon focused on winter wildlife and a Hen Harrier watch. After exploring the reserve’s hides, highlights included Firecrest, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Kingfisher, numerous Snipe, and a good range of wetland species such as Gadwall, Shoveler, Lapwing, and Wigeon.

Although the hoped‑for male Hen Harrier didn’t appear, two ringtails were eventually seen coming in to roost—both settling just outside the reserve. 

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

A Peregrine provided a memorable close fly‑over and perched in view before heading to its usual roost, and additional raptors included Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, and Sparrowhawk.

The group enjoyed a rewarding afternoon with 42 species recorded in total, reinforcing Arundel WWT’s growing reputation as a reliable winter raptor hotspot.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

101 Firecrest

102 Bullfinch

100 Up!

 

Fishbourne Creek a.m. and West Dean Woods p.m.

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group – Trip Report

Fishbourne Creek & West Dean Woods

Sunday 18 January 2026

67 species recorded | 7 members attending

Our group enjoyed one of its most memorable winter outings in recent years, blessed with calm, mild weather and exceptional birding across two contrasting habitats.

Morning at Fishbourne Creek

With high tide keeping mudflats submerged, waders gathered on boats, rafts and jetties, offering superb viewing conditions. The route took the group from Dell Quay north toward Fishbourne before returning for lunch.

Highlights included:

• Widespread Brent Geese throughout the creek

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• Repeated sightings of Kingfisher

Courtesy of Phil Ayling

• Several Greenshank showing well

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• A striking Goldcrest in a wooded section

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• The reliable Grey Wagtail at the creek’s north‑eastern edge

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• A fine group of Grey Plover, voted Bird of the Morning

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Despite missing a few hoped‑for species, the session produced an impressive 53 species.

Afternoon at West Dean Woods

Starting near Staple Ash Farm, the group walked toward Monkton Farm, enjoying a superb run of woodland and farmland species.

Highlights:

• At least six Red Kites overhead soon after arrival

• Multiple Hawfinches, with at least eight individuals seen

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• A group of Crossbills moving through the treetops

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Bramblings associating with chaffinches

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Additional highlights: Marsh Tit, Raven, Fieldfare

Marsh Tit - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Raven - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Fieldfare - courtesy of Phil Aylen

• A spectacular starling murmuration to close the day

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Crossbills and bramblings were jointly named Birds of the Afternoon due to their scarcity at this site. The afternoon added 29 species, 14 of them new for the day.

Overall

With perfect weather, excellent photographic opportunities and a combined total of 67 species, this outing stands out as one of the group’s finest. Warm thanks go to John for organising the day and to Ian, Patrick and Phil for their superb photographic contributions.

With the SOS at West Rise Marsh

Saturday 17th January 2026

West Rise Marsh

Every now and then, I enjoy joining the Sussex Ornithological Society for a bit of birding. West Rise Marsh caught my eye this time—not only because it’s close by at Eastbourne, but also because I liked the idea of being shown around by Richard, the local patch birder. Underfoot, the ground was thoroughly sodden, so wellies were very much the footwear of choice.

It turned out to be a worthwhile outing, and I picked up a few new insights from Richard along the way. His full report is included below.

West Rise Marsh SOS Walk top of page    end of page

Report from West Rise Marsh SOS walk 17/1/26 On a mild but cloudy January day, 14 members gathered to walk around the 2 lakes at West Marsh Rise, Langley, Eastbourne. Following the rain the previous Thursday, the ground was very wet, muddy and slippery. Of note were the Great Egret, a female Marsh Harrier and a very light morph Buzzard with extra time spent picking out the single Common Gull among the Black-backed gulls. Birds seen (in order of their appearance):- Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Blackbird, Magpie, Coot, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Marsh Harrier, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Cetti's Warbler (H), Crow, Starling, Mallard, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Stonechat, Gadwall, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, Teal, Little Grebe, Buzzard, Mute Swan, Meadow Pipit, Common Gull, Kestrel, Reed Bunting, Snipe, Robin, Song Thrush, Redwing.