| 27 Jan 2008 |
Flying Visits
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Today we started out with a brief visit to Nutbourne Creek at about 10 am which was occupied by large numbers of Brent Geese, Oystercatchers, Shelduck, and Black-tailed Godwits. Low bright sun made it hard to identify the multitude of waders. High above one of the cultivated fields beside the footpath to the creek was our first singing Skylark of 2008. A short stop at Sidlesham Ferry Pool and Pagham Harbour produced a flock of Curlew in the field beside the Pool, alongside Teal and Wigeon, also two Reed Buntings near the weir. Two swans flying out towards Pagham Spit, we guess may have been Bewick's; the appearance was of a lighter build and pale faces. Conveniently, a pair of Mute Swans flew into Ferry Pool at the same time giving a chance for comparison of size and weight; the Mutes having a much heavier wing-beat. Later in the afternoon a stop at Pulborough Brooks for birdseed, provided views from Nettleys hide of uncountable numbers of Wigeon, Teal, good numbers of Pintail and Shoveler, and 7 Cormorants. Two Black Swans are still present and I assume that the white goose with the Canada Geese is some sort of feral/hybrid goose. The highlight of this short stop was 4 Snipe hiding in the reedy grass. Back home, this years first singing Blackbird.
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Sophie May Lewis (age 15) |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Great Grey Shrike
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A GREAT GREY SHRIKE has been present this afternoon on Amberley Wild Brooks, best viewed from the Sportsman Pub in the village. Favours the bushy channel that runs out from below the pub and the trees along the hangar to the left. Barn Owl and the Pink-footed Goose present also. Other good birds today included GLAUCOUS GULL in Southwick Canal, Long-tailed Duck on Hove Lagoon, female Black Redstart on Shoreham Fort, 17ad 4imm Bewick's Swans along the Burpham-Wepham road, 2 Short-eared Owls and Water Rail along Ferry Lagoon from 14.30 onwards and 4 Long-eared Owls on the Downs. Not too bad then...!
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Ads Bowley |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Birding West Sussex
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Today in the Adur valley at Horsebridge Common 10 Little Egrets, two Common Buzzards, six Green Sandpipers and 14 Snipe while at nearby Calcot Wood a pair of Marsh Tits (with faint wing panels), four Siskins in a birch and overhead a "pair" of female Sparrowhawks in slow-flap-mode, their white undertails snow-balling out sideways and upwards and looking like harriers' white rumps, their white supercilia catching the sun too, all in all really good imitations of Goshawks. Yesterday at 3.30pm at Stapleash Corner, Westdean Woods, the scope set up on 12 gorgeously orange Bramblings high in an ash when joined for a couple of minutes by two Redpolls, quite pale, just a few flank-flecks and either Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabernet) or Common Redpoll (C. flammea).
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Alan Kitson & Miou Helps |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Chichester GP
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Saw the two CATTLE EGRETS in the field west of School Lane (viewable from the lake path) at 13.40, then caught up with one in the field NW of Ivy Lake (on the other side of the B1245) at 14.40. Also a probable Lesser Spotted Woodpecker along School Lane.
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Sam Lambert |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Garden Birdwatch
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Highlight of RSPB Garden Birdwatch in Catsfield today was the arrival of a pair of Siskins, rapidly followed by a Goldcrest which spent some time on a hanging feeding tray and then on the ground beneath the seed feeders. This is the second time we have seen a Goldcrest come to the feeders although they are frequently in the garden. The hour's watching came to a dramatic finale as a female Sparrowhawk swooped across the garden and scattered the lot!
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Carole Meek |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Pagham Harbour
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I managed to get a shot of one of two Short-eared Owls that have been seen hunting in the fields west of Pagham Harbour (click above). They were seen hunting from 10.30 - 11.00 and at 13.30 for about 15 minutes.
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Liam Pauling |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Bean Geese
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Ten TUNDRA BEAN GEESE this morning at Scotney Pit at the Sussex end with 60 White-fronted Geese. In the afternoon both flocks were seen again although only flying over the pit toward Walland Marsh - 2 Long-tailed Ducks still present.
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Chris Ball |
| 27 Jan 2008 |
Rackham
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A single Pink-footed Goose amongst the large array of Greylag and Canada Geeseon Amberley Wildbrooks. Also 2 Ruff and a pair of Common Buzzards. A Merlin and a couple of Dartford Warblers at Ambersham Common. (R Ives, D. Smith, D Mason & C Hope).
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Richard Ives |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Garden birdwatch
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My first Brambling in the garden at Rustington - a female on the feeder - with 8 Chaffinches, 2 Goldfinches, 12 Greenfinches and 10 House Sparrows. (Roger Parsons).
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Paul James |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Barn Owl sightings
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Two nights ago I saw a Barn Owl in headlights, in a tree on the verge of a country lane near Warnham. At about 19.30 this evening I had another sighting of a Barn Owl in the branches of a tree over-hanging the busy A24 also close to Warnham. To add, a colleague of mine has recently had regular sightings in another location in the Warnham area some 2 miles away. It appears that this species may be currently having some success in our area. (Simon Carter).
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Paul James |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Pagham Harbour
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A great day out at Pagham Harbour today for members of the Ashdown Bird Group. Although we missed out on the Glaucous Gull we still managed some excellent birds. Starting at Runcton we saw the two CATTLE EGRETS in a field along vinnetrow road (me, Bob & Judy Johnson). Met the others at Pagham Harbour NR visitor centre before we moved round to Church Norton where a view out to see produced Red-breasted Merganser and Slavonian Grebe. On the beach there were two Bar-tailed Godwits, one in full winter plumage and one in full summer plumage (see attached photo). They gave fantastic views, as did a flock of Knot and Grey Plover. In Pagham Harbour itself we had two Peregrine Falcons and good numbers of waders including: Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Avocet and Turnstone. A quick trip to Ferry Pool produced a few duck species including Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Mallard. We then went round to the North Wall at Pagham Village. What an excellent spot! We had good views of a Common Buzzard trying to pull up grass and a male Sparrowhawk with an incredibly red breast. Large numbers of Brent Geese came in late afternoon as the tide turned. Once the tide had turned large numbers of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwits came in. Also present were Pintail and the same selection of waders we'd had earlier. And just before the sun finally set we found a Mediterranean Gull in amongst flocks of Black-headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls. The weather was kind to us and we had a great day's birding! Many thanks to Sue Phillips, Bob Pask, Alan Nottage, Bob & Judy Johnson.
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Peter Johnson |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Barn Owl at Crowborough Cross
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A bizarre sighting indeed. At 20:30 I was waiting at the lights at Crowborough Cross and a Barn Owl flew north to south heading over the houses in Beacon Road. I had to do a double-take as I just couldn't believe it!
Posted on 27 Jan 2008 by Peter Johnson |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
1st winter Glaucous Gull - Pagham
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A record shot of the GLAUCOUS GULL first seen by myself at 11.40 am flying into the harbour and out of view for a good while before giving itself up at high tide and viewed well from Church Norton. A record shot is attached (click above). I am sure this bird is different from the Southwick bird as has a slightly larger complexion and looked darker in appearance.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Nick Bond |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Wood Larks
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Two Wood Larks singing mid-morning near Theale Farm/Middle Barn, between Slinfold and Broadbridge Heath.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by David Bridges |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Blackcap
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One male Blackcap in my garden in Shoreham during the RSPB big garden birdwatch.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Ellie Corrigan |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Arun Valley field outing
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Twenty-two people joined me on a pleasant morning on what turned out to be a great day both bird and weather wise. At Greatham Bridge, where we met, a stationary Peregrine was viewed to the north before we had even set off. Onto the very wet and muddy brooks which produced plenty of Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Duck along with a few Pochard and Gadwall. Through the soaking marsh 3 Cetti's Warblers were heard and Stonechat, Fieldfare and Redwing seen. The filtration works and surrounding area turned up trumps with a Water Pipit, a Grey Wagtail, a pair of very showy Siskins and the odd Chiffchaff amongst others. Common Buzzards were seen consistantly through the day. Over to Rackham Woods for lunch then viewing the flooded brooks which provided Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal and Marsh tit, Pintail and Greylag Geese with a hard to spot but eventually pinned BEAN GOOSE (probably Tundra). With the wind in our sails it was time to get up on the Downs to The Burgh - what a delight! A few brief couple of Bramblings, a showy Corn Bunting, Yellowhammers and a ringtail Hen Harrier - followed by the main course of a covey of very viewable Grey Partridge and at least 4 (probably more) Short-eared Owls which appeared from every which way, in solo and pairs. At one point I had 2 SEOs, a Buzzard and a Crow all in view in the bins at the same time. I presume everybody had the same wonderful day as I had - very special.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Paul Stevens |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Further news for today
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The RED-BREASTED GOOSE still at West Wittering. The two CATTLE EGRETS still at Chichester Gravel Pits at North Mundham and the SHORE LARK still at Rye Harbour. (From www.birdguides.com). Two Short-eared Owls displaying over the set aside field at the southern end of the Long Pool between Sidlesham Ferry and Church Norton from 14.00. (Beryl James).
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Paul James |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
The Burgh
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Four Short-eared Owls on the Downs above North Stoke this afternoon, three of which were in the deep valley between The Burgh and Amberley Mount. At one stage two of the owls were displaying and calling. Also several Grey Partridges.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Paul James |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Selsey Peninsula today
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The adult and 4 juv WHOOPER SWANS again present this morning on the back of Ivy Lake. They returned to roost at 17.10 on the Trout Lake. Female Ruddy Duck, 2 Kingfishers and the dodgy Cackling Canada Goose present also. Not much moving at Selsey Bill this morning, highlight being a flock of three divers that consisted of one of each species - something I've never seen before! Also another Great Northern Diver on the sea, 1 male and 4 female Eiders and a few Kittiwakes and auks moving through. Pagham Harbour produced a great immature GLAUCOUS GULL present until 16.00 at least and about 40 Mediterranean Gulls around the harbour mouth. The 2 summer-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwits added a splash of colour and other birds of note included the BLACK BRANT, Peregrine and a Tawny Owl calling at 13.52 from within the Priory at Church Norton. Also 4 Slavonian Grebes offshore.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Ads Bowley |
| 26 Jan 2008 |
Purplies on the pier
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At high tide today a count of 11 Purple Sandpipers on the east pier at Newhaven Harbour was the largest we've had for several years.
Posted on 26 Jan 2008 by Jon & Liam Curson |
