A morning walk's highlights were half a dozen Yellowhammers, Stonechats, a flock of around 100 Linnets, Skylarks, a Sparrowhawk, a cream cap Marsh Harrier, a juvenile Peregrine, Kestrels, 4-5 Red Kites of which one was carrying a long-legged bird in its talons and at the Burgh a flock of 20-25 Grey Partridge.

Even colder today sitting outside counting vismig-thermals donned for the first time. By 09.00 485 House Martins had come in off the sea and moved west, and 210 Siskins flown east. With these were 10 Redpolls an d a couple of Grey Wagtails. Later, House Martins were scattered along the coast, feeding over the promenade at Bexhill (20) and St Leonards (50), likewise 20 lingering over Fairlight Cliffs in the evening.

The morning dog walk by the Arun from town to the Millstream was notable for a large passage of House Martins, continuing the previous evening’s activity when at least 250 were over WWT accompanied by a few dozen Swallows and handful of Sand Martins. The morning walk produced no Cattle Egrets, up to three of which had been present In the area on previous days, but did produce a Firecrest on Millstream and a Spotted Flycatcher along the path by the tennis club.
An afternoon walk by the Arun to Littlehampton produced the Great White Egret opposite the Ship and Anchor at Ford, as well as three Common Sandpipers, two Curlews, one Snipe, 45 Lapwings, 25 Meadow Pipits, two Yellow Wagtails, six Stonechats, seven Egyptian Geese and 186 Mediterranean Gulls.

It was our 55th Wedding Anniversary on Friday the 25th Sept, even the Kray brothers never did that amount of time, only joking Margaret. So we thought we would go somewhere special to celebrate the occasion, you guessed it, where else but Thorney Island. The weather was not ideal with strong NW winds, but we did see a few birds including a Great White Egret and 2 Cattle Egrets on the Great Deep plus at least 8 Wheatears at various locations on the Island.

This morning in a 30 minute period 440 House Martin moving in a north-westerly direction. Single Stonechat, Spotted Flycatcher and Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 10 Sky Lark, 60 Linnet, 10 Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch and 10 Yellowhammer.

Cycling from Lancing through Downs to Shoreham brought 6 Wheatears, Stonechats, 7 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Ravens (all Downs) plus Chiffchaffs and Meadow Pipits all over the place. Still quite a few House Martins and Swallows passing low over Downs. Adur in Shoreham: 50-60 Ringed Plovers, some Dunlins, Greenshank and Redshanks plus nice surprise Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover also there. And cracking Peregrine circling over river. Very chilly and windy but worthy.

An extra coat needed to sit out on the terrace and count migrants this morning! There was a significant movement of House Martins, flocks totalling 750 coming in off the sea by 08.30, milling around our front garden, then heading west (some birds fluttered around our kitchen window, apparently trying to get in). Other birds passing were 100 Siskins, a Crossbill and 6 Redpolls. 40 Gannets moved W too.

A Short-eared Owl flew in at about 08:50. It spent a lot of time over the sea, heading straight towards me before frustratingly veering east and coming in somewhere over Goring. Also over the sea: Sandwich Tern 1E 3W, Bar-tailed Godwit 1W and ca.20 Gannets. On the beach: 14 Little Egrets, 30 Sanderlings, 55 Turnstones, 29 Ringed Plovers. ca.30 Meadow Pipits were in the fields and flying around but little was properly moving overhead.

Two Kingfishers on the inner arm on the west side of the entrance to Shoreham Harbour this evening but no sign of ARK's Shag. Also a Rock Pipit and a steady movement of House Martins here and at Widewater heading N into the stiff breeze. A Stonechat at Widewater.

Highlights of a blustery and distinctly autumnal walk around Knowlands farm, Barcombe this afternoon were a flock of Meadow Pipits and a lovely, beautifully camouflaged Snipe (presumably the same one reported by Simon Linington a few days ago). Still 1 or 2 lingering Swallows; most having moved on by now (or perhaps just sheltering from the wind).