29/01/14 Mandarin at Weirwood Reservoir

Wednesday 29th January 2014
Weirwood Reservoir

Another awful day weather wise so I headed for the protection of a bird hide.  Weirwood Reservoir suited me fine and I wasn't to be disappointed.  I targeted Mandarin and/or Kingfisher and/or Bullfinch.  

A friend (BJ) from the Ashdown Birdgroup arrived and I benefited from his local knowledge and advice in relation to these species.  He said that I was unlikely to see Kingfisher as they were mainly on the rivers while the water levels were high and tended to use the reservoir when the water levels dropped.  He showed me which tress to look for the Bullfinches as they rarely visited the feeders.

After a short wait, two pairs of Mandarin emerged from the stream opposite to the left of the hide just where AJ had predicted .  For a good 15 minutes we were privileged to admire the magnificent plumage, particularly of the two males - truly breathtaking, even in such drab conditions.  

Male and female Mandarins
Library picture only

As predicted, they eventually flew to our side and settled at the estuary of the stream by Pintail Bank.

Today's species list:
Mandarin
Tufted Duck
Mallard
Pheasant
Blue Tit
Marsh Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Cormorant   (10)
Black-headed Gull
Fieldfare
Redwing
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Long-tailed Tit
Dunnock
Moorhen
Coot
Canada Goose
Lapwing   (20)
Woodpigeon
Pochard
Grey Heron

Addition to 2014 UK Year Bird List:
Mandarin   (140)

27/01/14 Mealy Redpoll at Warnham

Monday 27 January 2014
Warnham NR near Horsham

A rare treat today when Sue joined me for a half day stint.  We met up with friends Andrew and Kevin for a 1 hour trip to Warnham NR at Horsham.  Our target bird was the Mealy Redpoll.

Within half an hour we achieved our goal, even if we had to deliberate some before being sure of our ID.  It was at the feeders by the Woodpecker Hide and was feeding alongside the more common Lesser Redpolls.  As we were only 5-10 metres away and the lighting was good, the photographers had a field day.  

Mealy Redpoll
Library picture only

It goes without saying that this was a "lifer" for all of us.

Male and female Lesser Redpoll
Library picture only

Today's species list:
Mealy Redpoll 

Lesser Redpoll 

Nuthatch

Greenfinch
Dunnock
Chaffinch
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Robin
Wren
Coal Tit   (10)
Moorhen
Blackbird
Goldfinch
Reed Bunting
Magpie
Pheasant

Tufted Duck

Black-headed Gull

Herring Gull

Cormorant   (20)
Coot
Hen Harrier  (male - on way home at Ashdown Forest 3.30 to 3.40)


Today's species count = 22

New Addition to Life list of UK Birds:
Mealy Redpoll   (243)

Additions to 2014 Year List of UK Birds:
Mealy Redpoll   (137)
Lesser Redpoll   (138)
Nuthatch   (139)

24/01/14 and 25/01/14 Dungeness Double Helping?

Friday 24th January 2014 Dungeness with Mike Russell
Saturday 25th January 2014 Dungeness with Paul James

Managed to finish up doing Dungeness on successive days.  This was not by design.  Mike had arranged his programme well in advance whereas Paul, as usual, waited to the last minute to gauge the weather and the richness of the birding.  I wasn't at all bothered because I knew Mike would be based on the nature reserve and Paul would be out and about - and so it turned out.  The two trips complemented each other very nicely.  The weather was not as forecast; Friday was sunny and dry whereas Saturday was overcast, misty at times with rain late in the day - a reversal of what should have been.

The strangest sighting was a Woodcock on Friday.  It flew past us as we were heading for the Denge Hide, affording excellent views - once we had got over the surprise.  This was the first time I had seen one flying in daylight.  

Woodcock flying by day
Library picture only

Maybe I should listen more carefully to my daughter Sara as she was sure she saw one flying a few weeks ago as she was driving to work and I doubted her, suggesting it might have been a Snipe.

Another "oddity" on Friday was the number of Marsh Harriers seen on the ground.  At one point I had a male and two females in the same scope view and all on the ground in the field.  Equally bemusing was the count for Great-white Egrets which exceeded that of the more common Little Egrets by some way.

By far the star of the whole weekend for me was the fabulous drake Smew that we saw at the ARC Hanson hide.  This has to be the best looking bird of the winter and one I had been eagerly awaiting. 

Drake Smew  
Library picture only

 

Redhead Smew
Library picture only

We had seen the very attractive females for some time but lacked the males to complete the show.  Now we had it.  Apparently two have shown up so we should have lots of glamour and attraction for the rest of the winter.

On the "patch" the number of gulls was way above normal and it was difficult to keep up with the action.  There were some Little Gulls there but I was perhaps the only one who couldn't make the ID.  I just have not got my eye in for this species yet and neither Mike nor Paul could help much as there was really no point of reference because of the comings and goings of the birds.  I need to do some homework and then try again in a less frantic situation.

Offshore there were hundreds of auks to be seen, mainly Guillemots but with the occasional Razorbill. The Red-throated Divers were present in good numbers as were the Little Grebes and Gannets.  A flock of Scoters, numbering over 30, and including a Velvet Scoter near the rear flew west.  

Velvet Scoter
Library picture only

The characteristic white patch was clearly showing in sharp contrast to the others.  This was my first this year and only my second ever, the last being last autumn in Norfolk.  There was one "lifer" for me today; the Caspian Gull showed on the beach off to our left enabling us to study it carefully and tick off many of the attributes that differentiate it from a Herring Gull, principally the black eye and the parallel shape of the beak components.

Out and about we saw several interesting species.  The rarest was probably the Tundra Bean Geese at Scotney GP.  

Tundra Bean Geese
Library picture only

Two of them were among the many Greylags in the field closest to the water.  We managed to get quite close to make a good observation.  White-fronted Geese, numbering almost 50, were seen a little further inland at Scotney Bridge North TR005195 where the views were distant but reasonable.

White-fronted Goose
Library picture only

 At Caldicott Farm TR047229 we got very good views of the 45+ Bewick Swans feeding in the field.  The Long-tailed Duck at the east end of Scotney GP was a delight to see  but hard to get in the scope because it kept diving.  The Tree Sparrows too, as usual, were a delight to see at Boulderwall Farm on both days.

I missed the Bittern on Friday at the reserve on the way to the Denge hide.  Only the lucky few who were at the rear managed to see it.  We tried to see one on Saturday from Dengemarsh Road but we were unsuccessful but we did manage to see two Peregrines and a Kestrel.  Our final stop at Pett Level on the way home was unfruitful with the Ruddy Duck deciding not to come out to play in the adverse weather conditions.

Another top-drawer birding trip with a species count well over 60.  This was good compensation for a missed trip up north to go to Caerlaverock with friends in the the West Cumbria Birding Group.



Species list for combined trips:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon 
Teal
Gadwall
Mallard
Pintail
Shoveler   (10)
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Smew
Red-throated Diver
Cormorant
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Grey Heron
Black-necked Grebe   (20)
Little Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Marsh Harrier
Kestrel
Buzzard
Pheasant
Water Rail (heard)
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Moorhen
Coot   (30)
Lapwing
Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Guillemot
Razorbill
Woodpigeon   (40)
Green Woodpecker
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Chiffchaff 
Wren 
Starling
Stock Dove   (50)
Blackbird 
Robin
Stonechat
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Meadow Pipit
Chaffinch
Bewick Swan
Tundra Bean Goose   (60)
White-fronted Goose
Long-tailed Duck
Peregrine
Velvet Scoter
Caspian Gull





Species count for combined trips:  65+


Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Woodcock   (132)
Caspian Gull   (133)
Velvet Scoter   (134)
Tundra Bean Goose   (135)
White-fronted Goose   (136)


Additions to Life List of UK Birds:
Caspian Gull   (242)

21/01/2014. Dorset and Devon again! Birding Bonanza

Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st January 2014
Dorset and Devon with Paul and Andrew

With the prospect of some decent weather and lots of good birding we left early on Monday with Andrew doing the driving.

Dorset on Monday 20th January 
First stop was at Sopley in Dorset to see the Green-winged Teal.  This looked an easy ID with the duck being to all intents and purposes similar to the Common Teal apart from a vertical, rather than a horizontal, white stripe down the sides of it's breast.  In fact we struggled to find the bird but eventually our labour was rewarded  with a superb sighting.  It was with a large group of Teal and once located we were able to enjoy splendid views for the duration of our stay.

Green-winged Teal
Library picture only

We were unable to find the Scaup at Poole Park Lake in Bournemouth despite a thorough search but we did stumble upon a large group of Siskins in an Alder tree.  In fact the tree was "teeming" with them.  This was some spectacle in the brilliant morning sunshine.  Also seen were several Goldeneyes, including at least 2 drakes.

We took the short ferry ride to Studland Bay on Poole Harbour and almost immediately we were greeted by the sound, then sight, of a lovely Dartford Warbler in the scrub by our path.  Wow!

Dartford Warbler
Library picture only

It was still there when we left over an hour later.  On the water there were plenty of Red-breasted Mergansers, Black-necked Grebes, Great Northern Divers, Goldeneye, Shags, Guillemots and Razorbills.  

Black-necked Grebes
Library picture only

The only bird not seen was the Surf Scoter that had been reported here by passengers on the Poole Harbour boat trips.  On the way back to the car we even had the company of a Raven,"cranking" as it flew overhead.  Studland Bay was something special today with weather conditions nigh on perfect and superb lighting.  It was worth the visit just for the views alone.  The fact that we also had a good range of scarce birds just added to a memorable experience.

Next stop was Cheselbourne to see a pair of Cranes.  They were by the reeds in a long, narrow field just off the roadside.  From our slightly elevated position we were able to enjoy grandstand views as they were feeding.

Cranes
Library picture only

 It just gets better and better.




We finished the day at Portland Harbour before driving to our hotel in Devon.  Andrew had missed our previous visit a couple of weeks ago and we were keen for him to see the Black Guillemot which would be a "lifer" for him just as it was for me previously.  The harbour was quieter than last time and we were the only birders there.  We were lucky last time to visit just after the storms when lots of sea birds were driven inland.  Nevertheless Andrew saw his Black Guillemot as well as the divers, mergansers and all the expected sea birds - there was just fewer of them.

Dorset I love  you!



Devon on Tuesday 21st January 2014
We stayed at the Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton, smack bang in the middle of the Tor Bay seafront and offering magnificent views of the bay.  After a meal and a few pints to help us reflect on our Dorset experience it was off to bed early to get a good nights kip ready for an early start next morning.

After breakfast we headed off to Broadsands to an innocuous little car park made famous in the birding fraternity by a great guy called. Mike Langman who took it upon himself to put budgie seed down for the local population of Cirl Buntings for nearly 12  years now.  In fact we were lucky to bump into him as we arrived.  He was busy photographing a Siberian Chiffchaff as we arrived so we were "gifted" an unexpected rarity - a "lifer" for me, the second of the trip for me.  He directed us to the feeding area where we witnessed some truly amazing birds as they enjoyed the feast.  Use the link shown to find out more about this remarkable yet unassuming RSPB volunteer.      
              
                          Mike Langman CIRL BUNTINGS


The light was still good enabling Andrew to take some nice photographs of the birds over a 30 minute period.  There were at least 8 of them as well as a couple of Reed Buntings and lots of Chaffinches.

Cirl Buntings
Library picture only

 What a great start!

We knew the weather would change today with heavy showers expected later so we were anxious to pack in as much as we could.


Paul was anxious for Andrew to see the White-billed Diver that he and I saw a few weeks ago so we set off for Berry Head where it was last reported.  While we were there we came across a brilliant colony of Fulmars who gave us an impromptu flying display of the highest order.  Some beautiful Gannets were clearly visible out to see and we enjoyed the views.  Unfortunately the Diver was not there so we decided to check Brixham Harbour where we actually saw it last time.  However we were again unlucky.

With the weather now beginning to deteriorate we decided to visit Dawlish Warren near Exeter to look for the Bonapartes Gull that had been seen there yesterday.  We barely saw any gulls at all so we headed for the hide to look at the waders on the sands.  The gulls were few and far between here as well but a good selection of waders were seen including a couple of graceful Slavonian Grebes.

A wet, drab finish to our visit but we knew this before we set off.  We were grateful that we managed to keep going until 2 pm. Andrew then performed heroics to drive us home for 7 pm.

A smashing trip with incredible friends! 

2 "lifers", 9 additions to my 2014 year list and a species count of at least 58.





List of species seen:
Green-winged Teal
Teal
Wigeon
Moorhen
Lapwing
Redwing
Blackbird
Buzzard
Greylag Goose
Mute Swan   (10)
Siskin
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Oystercatcher
Redshank   (20)
Pochard
Dartford Warbler
Stonechat
Great Northern Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Red-breasted Merganser
Raven
Shag
Cormorant
Guillemot   (30)
Razorbill
Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Crane
Stock Dove
Mediterranean Gull
Cirl Bunting
Siberian Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting
Chaffinch   (40)
Greenfinch
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Buzzard
Fulmar
Gannet
Rock Pipit
Slavonian Grebe
Black Guillemot
Bar-tailed Godwit  (50)
Knot
Turnstone
Dunlin
Curlew
Grey Plover
Little Egret
Shelduck
Heron

Species count = 58

Additions to Life List of Birds:
Siberian Chiffchaff  (240)
Green-winged Teal   (241)

Additions to 2014 UK List of Birds:

Green-winged Teal   (123)

Siskin    (124)

Dartford Warbler   (125) 

Black-necked Grebe   (126)

Crane   (127)

Stock Dove   (128)

Cirl Bunting    (129)

Siberian Chiffchaff   (130)

Black Swan    (131)

19/01/2014. Rye Harbour. Water Rails, Long-tailed Ducks and Barn Owls

Sunday 19th January 2014
Rye Harbour NR
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group  (13)

Sue came along to this along with Chris and Anne. With very little wind and glorious sunny weather all day we had all the ingredients for a really good days birding and so it turned out.  

Many birds were present on the reserve and our enjoyment was twofold.  On the one hand the range of species present was pleasing and on the other the sheer number of some of the species was stunning.  There were many highlights, some of the main ones are listed below:-

• The rarest species seen was probably the Long-tailed Duck with a pair swimming in the water on the Long Pit some 50 metres away.  They stayed above water for a short time before diving for a much longer time.  The views were excellent.

• There were huge numbers of Knot, Golden Plover and Lapwing and whether gathering together on the ground or flying overhead they presented a brilliant spectacle for all, including the non birders.

Flocks of Golden Plover
Library picture only

 It resembled the murmuration of Starlings often seen on TV

• At one point we saw at least ten Snipe among the waders from the Ternery Hide.  At a distance of 50 metres or so they presented a superb sight in the fabulous lighting conditions.

• Soon after we arrived I saw my first Sparrowhawk of 2014.  It flew past us quite low and close enough to enable us to enjoy it's lovely flight pattern for a short time.

• By far the most spectacular events happened when the rest of the group relocated to Pett Level, a few miles away, while we remained to take in the Bittern viewing area and Castle Hide before finishing off with fish and chips at  Kettle o' Fish, our favourite place in the town of Rye.  We saw a Slavonian Grebe gliding tantalisingly around the bend in the water before reappearing and then repeating the exercise a few times.  A nearby Cetti's Warbler called loudly but, typically, we were not able to spot it.  Sue remained at the viewing point while Chris, Anne and I made the long trek through the flooded fields to the Castle Hide.

Barn Owl
Library picture only

•  On the way we saw a good number of species but he overwhelming memory was the sight of the Barn Owl as it hunted over it's territory to our left.  At the hide we saw the Owl perched on a post and then as it flew off again to hunt along the field.  We had to leave and so missed the Marsh Harriers as they came in to roost.  Back at the viewing area Sue had been joined by Chris, one of the wardens, who was doing a WebsCount and they had seen the Barn Owl like us but they had the added bonus of seeing 3 Marsh Harriers as well as a silhouette view of the Cetti's Warbler.  How lucky was that.  We heard at least 2 Cetti's calling but could not see them but I did manage to see 2 Water Rails in the space of 5 minutes as they flew the short distance across the water from one side to their roost on the other side.

Water Rail
Library picture only

 What a finish!

Another smashing day on the south coast with lots of birds good company and fish and chips to finish with before heading home 

Today's species count = 51

Today's species list:
Barn Owl
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Brent Goose
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Cetti's Warbler
Chaffinch
Coot   (10)
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunlin
Gadwall
Golden Plover
Goldeneye
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Grey Heron   (20)
Grey Plover
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Kestrel
Knot
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Long-tailed Duck   (30)
Magpie
Mallard
Meadow Pipit
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher
Pochard
Redshank
Ringed Plover
Robin
Ruff
Sanderling
Shelduck   (40)
Shoveler
Slavonian Grebe
Snipe
Sparrowhawk
Starling
Teal
Tufted Duck
Turnstone
Water Rail
Wigeon   (50)
Woodpigeon


Additions to UK 2014 Bird List:
 Barn Owl   (119)
 Sparrowhawk    (120)
 Sanderling   (121)
 Ruff     (122)

18/01/2014 Birding in the Arun Vallley.

Saturday 18th January
Birding in the Arun Valley and Surrounding Area with Paul James

Spent the day birding with Paul - just the two of us today.

• First task was to locate the Bewick Swans that we knew to be at one of several favoured sites.  After a thorough search we finally located them on the flooded fields by the side of Amberley Castle.  There were two families of five, thoroughly at home in these conditions and looking majestic in the early morning sunshine.  A cracking start to our day.

Bewick Swans
Library pictures only

We were less successful with the Whooper Swans and the Red-breasted Pochard on the Ivy Lakes.  The Great Grey Shrike also eluded us, and fellow birders, at Greatham Bridge.  We had another "dip" with the Little Owl at West Dean.

• The highlight of the day was a spectacular viewing of 12 Hawfinches at Monkton Farm in the West Dean woods.  This was my first sighting of this species in Sussex but I have seen them before in Cumbria and in Surrey.  They flew in and landed in the canopy of a high tree on the opposite ridge, providing us with wonderful views in our scopes.  Truly awesome!

Hawfinch
Library picture only

I have never seen so much flooding anywhere in the country as what we saw in the Arun Valley.  Most roads were flooded in  parts and some were closed.  When we went to Greatham Bridge in the morning the road had some pools at the side but it was quite easy to travel.  The same route on the return visit was completely different even though there had been no rain.  The river is tidal and the high tide had caused the water to overflow from one side of the road to the next making it quite deep and with a strong cross current.  After some deliberation, we took the advice of a local dog walker and chanced going through rather than turn back; thankfully we were fine but not without some deep breathes and crossed fingers.  The things we will do to spot birds!

Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Bewicks Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Shelduck
Gadwall
Wigeon
Mallard
Shoveler  (10)
Teal
Pintail
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Pheasant
Grey Heron
Little Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Buzzard   (20)
Kestrel
Moorhen Coot
Lapwing
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Magpie
Carrion Crow   (30)
Goldcrest
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Starling
Blackbird
Redwing
Song Thrush
Robin
Dunnock   (40)
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Hawfinch



Total = 45  This is a minimum figure as we did not keep a careful watch for all species; we were after scarcities and the species count would probably have been over 50.









Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Bewicks Swan   (116)
Hawfinch   (117)
Red-legged Partridge   (118)

17/01/2014 Twitching in Margate

Friday 17th January 2014
Margate Cemetery

I decided to make the long trip to Margate to "twitch" the Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler at the cemetery. It had been reported several times recently but this turned out to be a rare failure.  Perhaps it was the awful weather today that caused the no show.  More likely was that it was there but I and the two other birders were looking in the wrong place.  Maybe I will try again when the rains go. 

There was some compensation when I saw a couple of Ring-necked Parakeets in the trees as I waited for the main bird.


Weir Wood Reservoir

On the way home I called in at Weir Wood to do some birdwatching from a hide to shelter from the rain.   Water levels were very high meaning many birds were not present.  However I did manage to add to my year list when a lovely, resident, Marsh Tit visited the feeders.



Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Ring-necked Parakeet (114)
Marsh Tit   (115)

15/01/2014 Jack Snipes

Wednesday 15th January 2014
Newhaven

The wet weather has it's advantages - sometimes!  I scoured a sodden field on the outskirts of Newhaven and managed to flush at least 2 Jack Snipes, at least 2 Common Snipes and a score or more Skylarks. All in all there were 8 Snipe but for half of them I was unable to react quick enough to decide which type they were.


Lovely!




Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:  
Jack Snipe (113)

14/01/2014. Six of the best at Rye Harbour and Dungeness

Tuesday 14th January 2014


Rye Harbour
I went back to Rye Harbour to seek out the birds I missed on Saturday when I left early to get to the Brighton v Birmingham game at the Amex Stadium.

•  The Long-tailed Duck was present on the Long Pit again - thankfully.  It was bang in the middle of the water, showing well for a few seconds before diving.  It actually spent more time below the water than above it but it was splendid when it appeared on top.

Long-tailed Duck
Library picture only

Unfortunately there was no sign of the drake Scaup or the Goldeneye.  There were lots of other birds but they were the same as last Saturday so I have not repeated them here.

Dungeness
I called in at Scotney on the way to Dungeness to look for Tundra Bean Geese and White-fronted Geese but neither were there.

•  From the ARC hide I immediately saw a Great White Egret, the first of three that I would see today.  It was over 100 metres away but with such good weather the lighting was excellent and the views were super.

Great White Egret
Library picture only

• A beautiful female Smew showed well and a little later a second appeared.  So far no reports of any drakes have appeared but surely it's just a matter of time before one comes along.

Redhead Smew
Library picture only

• On the nature reserve proper I was amazed to find no Tree Sparrows at the cottage or the feeders.  However on my way home I detoured to Walland Marsh where I found lots of them on the feeders of a well known property.  These are one of my favourite birds.

Tree SparrowLibrary picture only

• I did see my first Marsh Harrier of 2014, early on, flying majestically over the marshes.

• My final "scarcity" of the day was a magnificent male Goosander.  I saw it briefly from the hide as it swam close by.  It then flew back towards the reception giving us magnificent views as it passed the hide.  These birds are scarce in Sussex - I usually see them in Cumbria, on the River Derwent, when I visit family where they are more common.

Male Goosander
Library picture only

,A great day with lots to see.  Glorious weather with sunshine all the way.


Additions to 2014 UkK Bird List:-
Long-tailed Duck   (93)
Great White Egret   (108)
Smew   (109)
Marsh Harrier   (110)
Goosander   (111)
Tree Sparrow   (112)

12/01/14. Pagham Harbour near Chichester. 15 additions to year list

12th January 2014
Selsey Bill, Pagham Harbour and Shoreham Harbour
Paul James and group. (5)

I was on the road again early today, joining Paul, Andrew and Sandra before heading off to Selsey where Chris joined us.  We did a stint of sea watching then moved on to Pagham Harbour before finishing at Shoreham Harbour where we hoped to spot the Glaucous Gull that has been around for a couple of days.

• There were several birds to be seen at Selsey, despite the choppy seas.  For me the pick of the bunch was the Red-throated Diver that flew east.

Red-throated Diver
library picture only

• At Pagham Harbour we didn't see the Firecrest we hoped for but we did see a Goldcrest and a female Goldeneye.  There was a good selection of birds on view.  We moved to the North Wall with the Spotted Redshank the highlight of the visit.

Spotted Redshank
library picture only

We had no luck at Shoreham Harbour.  The Glaucous Gull had been reported present here twice today but it did not show for us. A Purple Sandpiper provided some consolation.

Purple Sandpiper
library picture only

A really good day with a high species count of 58 including 14 additions to the 2014 Year List.

Today's species list:

Additions to 2014 year list
Common Scoter   (94)
Peregrine   (95)
Fulmar   (96)
Red-throated Diver   (97)
Goldeneye   (98)
Long-tailed Tit   (99)
Goldcrest   (100)
Lesser Black-backed Gull   (101)
Knot   (102)
Bar-tailed Godwit   (103)
Spotted Redshank   (104)
Dunnock   (105)
Reed Bunting   (106)
Greenfinch   (107)
(14)

Other species:
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Brent Goose
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Common Gull
Coot  (10)
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunlin
Gadwall
Gannet
Golden Plover
Goldfinch
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit   (20)
Grey Plover
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Lapwing
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie 
Mallard
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher   (30)
Peregrine
Red-breasted Merganser
Redshank
Ringed Plover
Robin
Rock Pipit
Rook
Shag
Shelduck
Shoveler   (40)
Teal
Tufted Duck
Turnstone
Wigeon

Today's species count = 14+44 = 58



On a drab, windy day we managed to enjoy a really good birdwatching experience.  Lovely!