15/09/2015 Ospreys in Sussex at Thorney Island

Tuesday 15th September 2015
Thorney Island, West Sussex
Paul and Group   (7)

On a day not conducive to finding migrants we managed to eke out quite a good list of sightings.  The weather was wet and windy early on but by mid morning things were brighter and by lunchtime the winds had eased considerably.

• The undoubted highlight of the day were the Osprey sightings at the start and end of our outing.  2 were seen, both perched on posts about 100 metres away.  It is so good to see them here in Sussex - it adds to the smashing views I had at Bassenthwaite in the spring.

• There were scores of migrant Wheatears around and they were with us for most of the way round this  7 mile circuit.  At least 2 Whinchats and 6+ Stonechats were seen which pleased everyone.

• We had a glut of Kestrels, a couple of Buzzards and a Peregrine.

• The main estuary birds were Dunlin, Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers, Oystercatchers, Sanderlings, Curlews,  a Whimbrel, 4 Brent Geese, a couple of Shelduck, Redshanks and a Ringed Plover.

The Ospreys made this a very special occasion and was one of over 50 birds seen today.  Thorney Island has to be the premier site to see Ospreys in Sussex.




As an added bonus we were perfectly placed to witness the aerial display of Spitfires and Hurricanes to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

On the way home I called in at the Ferry Pool at Siddlesham, Pagham to twitch the Pectoral Sandpiper which had been around for several days and a newly arrived Grey Phalarope.  This was compensation for missing the East Grinstead RSPB outing last Sunday due to us witnessing a nasty motorbike accident en route and deciding not to travel any further.






Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Pectoral Sandpiper   (253)
Grey Phalarope   (254)








Pectoral Sandpiper

•  Breeds on arctic tundra from western Alaska across extreme northern Canada to the Hudson Bay; also found in Siberia. Spends winters in South America and Australia. During migration, may occur throughout North and Central Americas. Preferred habitats include marshes and grassy pools.

• They are promiscuous: males mate with multiple females, and females mate with multiple males

Grey Phalarope

• Migrant visitor to the UK. Most often seen in winter, blown ashore by storm winds.

• Breeds in arctic areas of Greenland and Iceland and winters in southern oceans near Antarctica. On passage may be seen in coastal areas.

• This bird usually stays far out to sea.