Took a walk through Mewsbrook Park, Egyptian Goose still present although confining itself to the central island in the lake so no opportunity of reading the ring markings, also 1 male Tufted Duck with the resident Mallards, Coots and Moorhens, then onto the beach, along the low tide line were 4 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 15> Turnstone, 10> Oystercatchers, 2 Common Gulls, numerous Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Cormorants os and 1 Great Crested Grebe os.

I couldn't see whether the Egyptian goose at Slaugham yesterday was ringed or not, as it was swimming in the water. It showed no signs of being tame - it was across the far side of the lake, and after a while it took off and flew west.

Just a quick note on the apparent influx of Egyptian Geese in the west of the county. Firstly the bird which has been present at Mewsbrook is not the bird which had been seen at Southwater Country Park as this bird was not ringed. It would be very interesting if Barry or other observers could read the metal code on the ring and send it to me. I would then try and establish where the bird has come from. Helen's bird from Slaugham, I presume is the same bird we have had at the country park. It will be interesting to see if Helen noticed a ring. Pictures of the Southwater bird are on my blog at www.sussexnature.blogspot.com

Egyptian Goose, ringed, very tame, came right up to me for bread. Obviously used to being near people so probably an escapee. Perhaps it is the one seen by Helen Crabtree at Slaugham Pond on Friday 12th March?

A few black-tailed godwits and a little egret on the north brooks this morning amongst the usual waterfowl. Plenty wigeon, pintail, teal and shoveler remain. Crossbills (at least 20) still to be found on the heathland restoration areas. Water rail seen again today from Nettley's hide. A firecrest at Rackham plantation (per Mike Tucker).

Not 100% certain but whilst driving east on the A27 earlier today, I saw what looked very much like a hirudine dash quickly by, close to the bridge over the River Adur. Can't be certain but from the jizz very possible. Seems very early though?

An Egyptian goose today amongst greylags at Slaugham Mill Pond was an unusual addition to my WeBS list.

About 30 Bewick Swans on the water meadows beside the River Arun between Warningcamp and Wepham.

An hour or so in a damp, raw, variable (mostly westerly) wind saw some movement at last today - but not much! One Gannet, 4 diver sp, 4 Brent Geese and 56 Common Scoter flew E. On the sea were 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Red-throated Diver. Local Fulmars and Kittiwakes were back up to normal numbers.

I managed a 4 hr seawatch at the Bill this morning (Thursday) in a chilly NE wind. There was a little movement, the best being the first Sandwich Tern on passage; it came in from way out and eventually passed E quite close (there have been several loitering this winter, but I'm sure this was a 'proper' migrant in s/plum). Also seen heading E were: 25 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Curlew, 7 diver sp, 4 Red-throated Divers, 4 Gannets, 2 Common Scoters, 1 Eider and 2 auk sp, whilst a Black Redstart was showing well along the beach gardens.

Little Egret sighted flying just above tree level over the countryside centre at Buchan Country Park, Crawley (TQ245346) late morning - possibly the same bird reported over Broadfield. This was a first for me here. The other was a Woodcock flying low over the school grounds in Forest Row this evening at 19.00 (TQ417345). Always nice to be surprised.

A small flock of crests which included at least two Firecrests at Rackham Woods. Also showing well were Marsh and Coal Tits.

Little Egret sighted flying overhead, a first for me in Crawley.

The Black Redstart was again in Carat's Cafe car park on Southwick Beach this morning while the Peregrines were on the power station chimney and nearby lighting gantry. A Ringed Plover on Southwick Beach was the first I've noted there this year and there were two beside Hove Lagoon.

A biting NE wind was never going to be conducive to early spring migrants and so it turned out to be, for it was a real struggle to find anything of interest this morning. There was nothing moving offshore, but on the sea a drake Common Scoter looked fine in the sunshine, and there was the usual scattering of about 10 Red-breasted Mergansers and several Great Crested Grebes. Two Little Owls were actively calling to each other from the Bailiffscourt area, whilst strangely the single Brent Goose previously reported has re-appeared in the fields at Atherington.

Thirteen members of the RSPB's Eastbourne Local Group and four members of The Friends of Hampden Park met outside the café at 10am today for a two hour walk around the park. It was bright, sunny and about 7c but with a fresh north-easterly blowing. The best bird was a Firecrest seen by two of the party near the composting area. Other species seen were: Collared Dove - Stock Dove - Woodpigeon - Blackbird - Song Thrush - Herring Gull - Black-headed Gull - Magpie - Carrion Crow - Jackdaw - Rook - Great Tit - Blue Tit - Long-tailed Tit - Pied Wagtail - Robin - Chaffinch - Moorhen - Coot - Canada Goose - Mallard - Nuthatch. A Green Woodpecker was heard and a couple of us thought that we glimpsed a Treecreeper. The pair of Mandarins that has been on the lake for the past couple of weeks were seen as were a feral Bar-headed Goose and a couple of domesticated Muscovy Ducks. (The Bar-headed Goose was also reported today by Peter Cottington - Ed).

At Pagham North Wall this morning there was a Bittern that arrived in the reeds on the left of the open water, 80+ Brent Geese moving around the harbour and field and my first of the year - a House Martin heading down the river. At the Lagoon 4 Goldeneye (1 male) and one in the harbour and two more at Ivy Lake.

Another pleasent day out in West Sussex today with long periods of sunshine and a fresh breeze. Spent a short time on Henfield Levels but was unable to locate the Bewick's Swans. The only noteworthy sighting was of two Bullfinches. Next stop was Rackham Woods where a Woodcock was seen. Large flocks of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail were also out on the brooks. On the way to The Burgh along the minor road between Amberley Station and North Stoke a Bittern showed very well in one of the ditches (TQ025114). Up on The Burgh a group of 18 Bewick's Swans were just about visible on the water meadows near Burpham. Also 5 Grey Partridges, 5 Red-Legged Partridges and ca. 20 Corn Buntings.

In Mewsbrook Park at Rustington/Littlehampton a Pink-footed Goose amongst the ducks by the side of the lake.

At least 20 crossbills present on the heathland resoration areas this morning and yesterday (Tuesday). Two unusual species for PB were seen yesterday - a brent goose was on the south brooks and a very conifding red-legged partridge was under the feeders in the courtyard. Adders still being seen alongside the trail between Little Hanger and Winpenny hide.