05/03/2014 West Sussex Safari for an Iceland Gull and a Red-necked Grebe and many others.

Wednesday 5th March 2014
South Coast of West Sussex
Bird Safari with Paul and Christine

A glorious day.  We decided to stay local and look for the Iceland Gull and the Red-necked Grebe that had been reported on the Sussex Ornithological Society's (SOS) website.

Within seconds of reaching Pagham Lagoon we saw the Iceland Gull in the water not far from the car.  Just as we got the scope out it flew away but not before we had excellent views of this rare visitor. 

Iceland Gull
Library picture

What a way to start the day!  There were also good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls and several Goldeneye.

In the harbour itself there were lots of species but the overwhelming sight was of the Brent Geese, approaching 2000 in number.  The ever- present Peregrine was a lovely sentry, sitting imperiously to the left of the spit.

At Fishbourne Creek we saw a Whimbrel - my first this year -  and lots of waders.

Whimbrel
Library picture

We had to switch from the east to the west side of Hayling Island in order to catch some of the grebes but the switch worked and we got super views of the star of our show -the Red-necked Grebe.

Red-necked Grebe
Library picture

 All 5 grebes were present.  The number of Red-breasted Mergansers in the channel was amazing.

At Littlehampton, west pier, we saw the Kumlien's Gull and the Glaucous Gull.  Paul was ecstatic with the fact that he must be one of only a few Sussex Birders to see a Glaucous, a Kumliens and a Iceland Gull on the same day.


Another fantastic day with lots of species, including 3 new year ticks and fantastic company.





Additions to 2014 UK Year a List:
Iceland Gull   (177)
Whimbrel   (178)
Red-necked Grebe    (179)


Today's Species List:
Great-crested Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Little Egret
Mute Swan   (10)
Brent Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Mallard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Pintail
Teal
Tufted Duck
Red-breasted Merganser   (20)
Goldeneye
Sparrowhawk
Peregrine
Coot
Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Turnstone
Knot
Redshank
Greenshank   (30)
Bar-tailed Godwit
Grey Plover
Whimbrel
Curlew
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Little Gull
Glaucous Gull   (40)
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Skylark
Rock Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Wren   (50)
Robin
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Starling
Magpie
Carrion  Crow
House Sparrow
Greenfinch
Chaffinch   (60)
Black-tailed Godwit
Kumliens Gull


Today's species count = 62