24/01/2015 Dell Quay and West Dean Woods - a birding bonanza!

Saturday 24th January 2015
West Sussex Trip
Paul and Group  7 (1 + 6)




Dell Quay
This place was just alive with birds on the rising tide.  The weather was terrific; cold but dry, excellent visibility and temperatures just above freezing.  Most of the usual suspects were present and showing well.  Below are the highlights of the morning visit:

• First new bird of the day was the Yellowhammer, one of many seen today, on the path from the church to the estuary. 

• Next new bird was the Black-tailed Godwit, many of which were sitting in the water with their backs to us.  Also showing well, in the water, was the first of our Spotted Redshanks.

• The Grey Wagtail flew from it's usual place and did the same again on our return leg.

• At our innermost stopping point we saw a couple of Greenshanks and another Spotted Redshank.

• As I left to return to the car Paul called me back to see the elusive Whimbrel, close to the area where we had seen the Godwit earlier.

West Dean Woods

• Paul and I arrived early to find a Brambling in with the Chaffinches.  It was in the tree directly above us.  Unfortunately all the birds flew off before the rest of the group could get there.  However they did get a second chance at the end of the day when we returned to the cars which were parked nearby.

• On the way to the Hawfinch "hotspot" we had excellent views of the Little Owl as it enjoyed the sunshine in it's usual tree.

• The Hawfinches were more elusive than usual and we had a long wait to see a single bird in flight before getting quality views of a perched female.

What a great day - just another day at the office for Paul and the group!

Additions to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:
Yellowhammer    (125)
Black-tailed Godwit   (126)
Grey Wagtail   (127)
Greenshank   (128)
Whimbrel   (129)
Little Owl   (130)
Brambling   (131)
Hawfinch   (132)
Mistle Thrush   (133)



Today's species list:Mute Swan
Brent Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Mallard
Pintail
Teal
Goldeneye
Pheasant
Cormorant   (10)
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe 
Little Egret
Buzzard
Kestrel
Red Kite
Coot
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Grey Plover   (20)
Turnstone
Whimbrel
Curlew 
Redshank
Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Common Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull   (30)
Black-headed Gull
Woodpigeon
Little Owl
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Starling
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush   (40)
Robin 
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Pied Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Rock Pipit
Chaffinch
Brambling
Goldcrest
Marsh Tit   (50)
Coal Tit
Hawfinch
Yellowhammer
Carrion Crow
Raven