11/11/2015 Ferring Beach with the Brighton & District RSPB Group

Wednesday 11th November 2015
Ferring Beach
Brighton & District RSPB Local Group

15 of us spent a smashing 4 hours birding on the south coast, just west of Worthing, at Ferring.   We started walking west from the car parking area at Sea Lane/Marine Drive along to the BlueBird Café before turning inland and following the east bank of the river (Ferring Rife).  We crossed to the west side at the bridge and returned via East Kingston and Kingston Lane.

The weather was mild with temperatures into the mid teens.  Conditions were, however, blustery, particularly along the sea front.

• We saw more birds at the very start of our walk than at any time after.  They were in the field just north of Marine Drive and only 100 metres away.  They were all sea birds, sheltering from the strong breeze.  They included good numbers of Common Gull and Black-headed Gull.  There was a single Great Black-backed Gull and a few Herring Gulls.  Close by there were good numbers of Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover and Starling and a single Dunlin.  When we returned, 4 hours later, most were still there but there were a few more Black-headed Gulls and 20+ Sanderlings had joined the wader group. 

• A small flock of Brent Geese flew west as we started walking towards the café.

• The walk along Ferring Rife was quiet but we saw a lovely Grey Wagtail as we crossed the bridge to start the return leg.

• On the west side of the river we enjoyed good views of 4 Little Egrets and a succession of good views of a Jay in splendid plumage.

• Along Kingston lane we got excellent views of 3 Red-legged Partridges.

Another delightful mid-week walk and a chance to meet up with Reg, from the Shoreham birding group, after a long time. 





Today's Species List
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Brent Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Common Gull
Common Pheasant
Dunlin
Dunnock
Goldcrest (h)
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Grey Heron
Grey Plover
Grey Wagtail
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jay
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Magpie
Moorhen
Oystercatcher
Pied Wagtail
Red-legged Partridge
Ringed Plover
Robin
Sanderling
Starling
Turnstone
Woodpigeon
Wren
(34)