West Sussex Birding with Paul and Group
6 of us made this trip into the west of the county, on a glorious sunny day, with a shopping list that included Firecrest, Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinch, Little Owl, Whooper Swan and Bewick Swan.
First stop was Waterwoods, near the A27 at Arundel, where we quickly located the Firecrests with at least 2 showing well along with Coal Tit, Marsh Tit and Goldcrest.
The long drive north to Iping Common was rewarded with some quite outstanding views of the Great Grey Shrike in the canopy of the trees as it moved about it's territory. Several Yellowhammers were seen close to the car park.
The Hawfinches again proved tricky but, as before, patience paid off and I was able to get great views of 2 of the 6 that eventually turned up in the late afternoon in the usual place close to West Dean Woods. Both Little Owls were showing well in the usual tree near to Staple Ash Farm.
Next stop was St Mary's Church, Barnham to catch up with the 4 Whooper Swans that had been reported lately. This bird, a rare visitor to these parts, was a first for me in Sussex.
Our final stop was back at Arundel where we observed the 34 Bewick Swans in the valley below Burpham Church. 3 Black Swans were also present along with the Mute Swans so we managed the "full monty" with regard to this group.
A cracking day out, with all our target birds seen!
Today's species list:
Bewick's Swan
Black Swan
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Pheasant (10)
Fieldfare
Firecrest
Gadwall
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Great Grey Shrike
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Greylag Goose (20)
Hawfinch
Jackdaw
Jay
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Redpoll
Little Owl
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard (30)
Marsh Tit
Mute Swan
Nuthatch
Raven
Red Kite
Red-legged partridge
Redwing
Reed Bunting
Robin
Rook (40)
Sparrowhawk
Starling
Stonechat
Treecreeper
Whooper Swan
Woodpigeon
Yellowhammer
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