Tuesday, October 1, 2024

1st - 3rd October 2024

Thursday, 3rd OctoberA rather cool, dry and cloudy start, but soon improving to become pleasant and mainly sunny, though with a fresh E/SE breeze 3-4.

Ancton & Elmer: More bush-bashing was on my agenda this morning, so I started with a visit to the local woods and paddocks at Lane End. There were at least six Chiffchaffs and two Pied Wagtails, plus a few birds flying over eastwards on vis.mig, including two Skylarks, several Meadow Pipits and two Siskins.

I tried a couple of other promising spots, finding nothing more than a couple of Chiffchaffs, then moved onto the woodland around the edge of Barnham Brooks and Felpham GC, finding c.10 Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, 20 Goldfinch, two Song Thrushes, five Meadow Pipits and three Skylarks flying over. 

Lidsey and WTW area: Chiffchaffs again featured (eight) plus a singing Cetti's Warbler and a Grey Wagtail in the filter pans. Nearby, the small reservoir held six Little Grebes, 34 Gadwall and another Grey Wagtail.

Grey Wagtail and Gadwalls at Lidsey

Bilsham farm: On the reservoir were 140 Coots, seven Little Grebes, six Tufted Ducks, a single Shoveler and three Teal, plus c.50 Swallows and a few House Martins feeding over  the water and passing through. Several Skylarks and c.25 Meadow Pipits also passed over heading mainly east, whilst in the hedgerows another half a dozen Chiffchaffs were present; however, nothing more unusual could be found.



Wednesday, 2nd OctoberA fairly mild and sunny morning at first, with a light breeze N 2, but heavy cloud soon developing, with a risk of showers though remaining dry, as the wind veered gradually NE, increasing to a force 4.

Elmer Rocks - Climping: Plans to start elsewhere this morning were soon abandoned when I found the A259 even more gridlocked than usual, so I decided on a slow walk locally instead. My plan was to go 'bush-bashing' (=searching the hedges and bushes thoroughly for migrants) as a number of the scarcer warblers (such as Yellow-browed Warbler) have recently appeared elsewhere in the South.

A quick look at the sea from time to time produced very little beyond a Curlew and a couple of Brent Geese west, whilst a number of the regular waders were along the beach including 24 Oystercatchers and 15 Ringed Plovers. Along the beach and fields behind, at least 150 Mediterranean Gulls were amongst other gulls.

A single Wheatear was on the shore and there was also a fair bit of 'vis.mig' going on, though once again a good deal of it was heard rather than seen. Some hundreds of Swallows and House Martins were again on the move, mainly eastwards, plus c.15 Skylarks, 25 Meadow Pipits, 20 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail. A total of about 30 Chiffchaffs were logged on my bush-bash, along with a couple of Goldcrests and Blackcaps, but alas nothing scarcer could be located despite my best efforts. Better luck another time, I hope!

Wheatear at Climping, but nothing scarcer could be found


Tuesday, 1st OctoberA cool dry start to a fairly bright and breezy morning, with sunny periods and a fresh NW breeze force 3-4, then clouding over by afternoon with the odd drizzly shower.

Elmer Rocks - Atherington: A pleasant morning after yesterday's stormy weather. There wasn't a great deal moving offshore, but five Gannets and two Brent Geese went west whilst a single Curlew went east. Hirundines were again the most numerous birds, with a steady stream heading west, erratically at times, along the shore and sea; initially it was all Swallows, then eventually House Martins seemed to dominate and there must have been into the hundreds of both.

There are more Common Gulls around now and I logged at least seven, whilst Mediterranean Gulls also featured, with perhaps 70 amongst a large gull flock in the fields, which consisted mainly of Black-headed, but also about a dozen Great Black-backed Gulls. On the high tide, 38 Ringed Plovers were roosting on the rock islands with 10 Turnstones, whilst a little further east, along the beach at Atherington, there were 29 Oystercatchers.

Along the bushes were two Song Thrushes, two Blackcaps and at least eight Chiffchaffs, whilst two Wheatears were also found, in the general area of Poole Place rocks. There was also a bit of 'vis.mig' again, with at least three Skylarks going over, two Pied Wagtails, a few Meadow Pipits (uncounted) and a few Goldfinches and Linnets.

At Elmer this morning, a variety of gulls included Great Black-backed Gulls (above) and Common Gulls (below), whilst (bottom) this Wheatear was one of two seen.




Saturday, September 28, 2024

28th - 30th September 2024

Monday, 30th SeptemberA wet and windy night with heavy rain and a near gale-force SW wind and continuing into the morning, before the wind veered more to the W force 6-7. Thereafter a very grey, wet and blustery day with the strong wind pushing through frequent bands of light rain and drizzle.

Elmer Rocks: What a difference a day makes! After the excitement of yesterday, today proved to be just the opposite, for me at least. Hopes were high as I arrived for a sea-watch (0815-1015hrs) but the persistent rain and high tide made it difficult to see beyond the rock islands for the first half-hour, then as things improved a bit I saw almost nothing! A small number of the regular Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers flew along the beach and a single Gannet drifted W, whilst a forlorn Chiffchaff called from the wind-battered tamarisk bush behind me. There surely had to be something on the move after the stormy conditions last night, but in short there was just nothing I could see worthy of any further report....dreadful.

In the absence of any birdlife to photograph, these are the best I could come up with...... (above) a grey and stormy outlook with difficult viewing conditions and (below) whilst I'm not prone to taking selfies, this one says it all, as I huddle into a corner with my 'scope, sheltering from the driving rain under my broken umbrella....there are just times when I wonder why I do it!


Bilsham farm: Undaunted, I made a visit here just in case any storm-driven birds had sought shelter on the reservoir. However, the track to the site was basically a sea of liquid mud, having been used by tractors and vaguely reminiscent of the Somme, whilst the drizzly rain had now increased in the strong wind. There was nothing much of note to be found on the water; 147 Coots, six Little Grebes, a Gadwall, 10 Tufted Ducks and two Swallows were a meagre return for my effort. I was by now quite wet, a return march through the Somme did me no favours - and I came to a mature gentleman's decision that I'd had enough birding today, so home for lunch! 


Sunday, 29th September: A mainly grey and cloudy day with a few glimpses of sun, but dominated by a brisk S/SE wind force 4, soon increasing to a very blustery 5-6.

Climping Gap: Funny how it goes sometimes. I set out this morning planning to do a good circuit of the fields and hedges searching for passerine migrants, but ended up with a totally unexpected seabird to brighten the day.

I soon realised the bushes were being battered by the wind, so it was necessary to seek out the sheltered spots, where I located up to six feeding Blackcaps and five Chiffchaffs, and then two Stonechats nearby. Half a dozen Skylarks were in the fields together with about 10 Meadow Pipits, but it was slow going, although there was a constant trickle of Swallows, and to a lesser extent House Martins, passing through heading eastwards....it was impossible to count them, but numbers would have been well into three figures. Other species seen included Sparrowhawk, Linnet (a flock of c.100) and Greenfinch, but with the wind now buffeting the open habitat, I decided to have a short look at the sea.

I hadn't actually planned a sea-watch today, but I managed to find a nice sheltered spot behind some tamarisk, then started scoping the horizon. There were some Gannets passing at distance, mostly heading west, but not much else except of number of gulls back and forth, including a few Mediterranean Gulls. I'd been there about 15 minutes and it was all very disappointing....but then, out of the blue (or perhaps I should say grey) it happened. At about 10:25hrs I was scanning the horizon through my scope, trying to count Gannets, when suddenly a distinctive dark-looking bird came into my field of view, but very much closer, looking very close in the scope. The distinctive shape and flight left no doubt - it was a shearwater, and it was close, very close for a shearwater. Almost disbelievingly, I tracked it as it continued west; initially considering Sooty, but I soon eliminated that due to wing length and size, plus some pale showing on the underparts.

I won't give a full description here, but suffice to say that I was satisfied I had eliminated Manx and Sooty Shearwaters and established it was in fact a Balearic Shearwater. This rare shearwater - if accepted by the relevant rarity committee - is a long overdue 'patch tick' and although the species does move offshore in the English Channel at this time of year, the chances of seeing one from our area are always slim, and especially at comparatively close range, due to our geographical position in the bay of Sussex, for headlands such as Selsey Bill are normally required. But it was certainly a 'wow' moment for me today!

I finished my sea-watch at 11:10 having logged a few more Gannets - including one which flew east along the beach and almost overhead - and a flock of eight Brent Geese east.

(above) Gannet east over the beach at Climping; I almost missed this bird until I looked up as it passed overhead - hence the hasty shot which is basically just a silhouette, and (below) Brent Geese heading west offshore - they are starting to return now for the winter.


Saturday, 28th SeptemberA cold, clear night leading to a chilly but bright start, with a light N/NW breeze and a clear, sunny morning with a cloudless sky, although some cloud developing later.

Ancton: A Coal Tit was singing full pelt for a little while, moving around between gardens as it establishing a territory; as mentioned before this is not a common species in this area of the coast. A couple of Chiffchaffs were also in the area.

Elmer Rocks: A beautiful morning along the beach. Gannets were moving west at distance and during my occasional watches there were at least 30 passing through. The sea however was generally quiet, with only a few Mediterranean Gulls adding to the seabird interest and a few other seabirds too distant for identification. Along the beach and rock islands, at high tide, at least 32 Ringed Plovers were roosting, plus six Turnstones and 10 Oystercatchers.

Swallows and House Martins were the most numerous species, with at least 200 of each moving around and feeding, or passing through over the whole area, including the sea. It wasn't possible to make a meaningful count and numbers could have easily been considerably higher. A single Wheatear was present near Poole Place, whilst along the hedgerows and set-aside corner were 12 Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps and two Song Thrushes amongst other regular species.

There was a fair bit of 'vis mig' going on (=visible migration) - except that a good percentage of it wasn't actually visible to me! Frustratingly, a combination of less-than-youthful eyesight with a background of a clear blue sunny sky meant that I just couldn't pick out many of the flocks of birds passing overhead - even though I could hear many of them calling! I logged two Yellow Wagtails (but heard more), a Grey Wagtail (heard), 10 Meadow Pipits (many more heard), two Skylarks (more heard),  three Pied Wagtails (more heard) and Siskin (heard only).

Wheatear near Poole Place, Elmer

Also, there was an amusing little cameo this morning on the set-aside area. I first spied a Fox sitting out, relaxing and sunning himself, when nearby a female Pheasant emerged from the undergrowth, perhaps twenty yards away. Mr Fox casually looked towards the bird then went back to relaxing; meanwhile the Pheasant - perhaps not the brightest - gingerly started walking towards him! It got closer and closer until only a couple of yards away, and then it hesitated.... I expected to see a flurry of action and a Fox with his dinner - but no, the bird found the courage to walk on behind the Fox, whilst the said animal paid no attention and continued relaxing.  Amazing!

The Fox as the Pheasant gets nearer....
A bit closer and it hesitates...surely the Fox can't believe his luck!
But no...and the plucky bird walks on by! Amazing,


Wednesday, September 25, 2024

25th - 27th September 2024

Friday, 27th SeptemberAfter overnight rain, a notably cool start with a brisk N/NE wind force 5-6, grey skies, heavy cloud and occasional showers...

Elmer Rocks: The rain abated for a while after 08:00, but when I ventured out the change in the weather was obvious and a cold northerly wind soon made its presence felt. It was however disappointingly quiet for birds and surprisingly the cooler weather hadn't prompted much visible movement...with virtually no action offshore on the high tide.

As the tide slowly dropped a number of waders appeared, feeding briefly before moving on, when I logged 20+ Ringed Plovers, six Turnstones, at least 10 Sanderlings and 12 Oystercatchers. There were also a couple of pulses of Swallows moving through over the sea and the shore, mostly going E/NE and totalling about 70, together with at least seven House Martins, but these apart there was little or no visible migration today. Around the set-aside and hedgerows there was a noticeable drop in Chiffchaffs with only six counted, plus two Blackcaps feeding on berries, accompanied by up to four Song Thrushes. A Wheatear was again on the rocks beside the footpath on my way back.

Sanderling (top) with Ringed Plover feeding on Elmer beach and Song Thrush feeding in blackberry bush

Bilsham farm: There was a good count of 155 Coots on the reservoir, but the colder weather seemed to have prompted a bit of a clear out with other species, with only ten Tufted Ducks and five Little Grebes left amongst them. Nearby a group of 12+ House Martins were over the fields but there was nothing else of note.


Thursday, 26th SeptemberAn autumnal day of sunny periods interspersed with heavy grey cloud and frequent periods of heavy and torrential showers, blown through on a strong and blustery W/SW wind force 5-6, gusting to force 7.

Elmer: A day that saw me off the patch with other commitments - but later also catching up on some paperwork and emails indoors. One such was an interesting update from Germany on the colour-ringed Ringed Plover seen here on 11th September (see below pic). It transpires that this bird was ringed (as an adult) in Germany in May 2022 where it was presumably nesting.

Ringed Plover with colour-rings, Elmer beach, 11th September...having arrived from Germany!

Interestingly, this bird migrated from Germany (at a place called Beltringharder Koog, Gebiet) after the breeding season and was later found in autumn/winter that year at Climping (observed by friend and local birder Bola Akinola). It seems this bird then repeated it's journey, heading back to the same spot in Germany in spring 2023 and returning to our patch again in autumn. And guess what....it repeated the process yet again this year, when this time I was lucky enough to find it back, this time at Elmer. The wonders of migration!




Wednesday, 25th September: A generally grey and cloudy morning with a couple of heavy showers and a moderate SW wind, but it proved to be somewhat better than forecast thereafter, with a few brief dry and sunny interludes... until early afternoon when heavy and more persistent rain and showers returned.

Elmer Rocks: With rain predicted for most of the morning, I was pleased to take the opportunity of visiting the local beach when it didn't materialise; however before long I was trying to shelter from a torrential shower, though fortunately it was fairly brief....

There was little moving offshore beyond a couple of distant Gannets and a few of the regular gulls, but five Sandwich Terns were close in, fishing for a while before drifting off W, whilst along the shore (low tide) were seven Little Egrets, 15 Oystercatchers and half a dozen Ringed Plovers. Mediterranean Gull numbers were much reduced with no more than 15 seen, one of which bore a white ring (so presumably originating from Belgium), but it remained too distant for me to read the number code details.

There was a good deal of activity around the Elmer rife/woods and 'hotspot corner' set-aside. At least a dozen Blackcaps were feeding on berries, moving from bush to bush, a couple of Song Thrushes and Greenfinches were doing likewise and c.15 Chiffchaffs and 10 Goldfinches were along the hedgerows and bushes. As further rainclouds gathered it was time to leave, but as I made my way back, there was a loud screeching as a Peregrine flew past offshore, struggling with prey in its talons whilst followed by a mob of angry gulls.
 
(above) Sandwich Tern off Elmer Rocks and (below) Ringed Plovers at low tide


Blackcaps at Elmer rife area... female (above) and male (below)



,

Sunday, September 22, 2024

22nd - 24th September 2024

Tuesday, 24th SeptemberA fairly cloudy and overcast day and remaining dry, with a moderate N/NW breeze 2-3, but still feeling reasonably warm for the time of year.

Elmer Rocks: There was nothing much moving over the sea - which was pleasantly calm - but two Sandwich Terns drifted E, as did three Little Egrets, whilst a juvenile/1st winter Mute Swan also lumbered slowly by in the same direction - the latter not too common over the sea here. A Kestrel was seen hunting offshore over the rock islands for a short while and a Sparrowhawk was hunting over the hedgerows behind the beach, whilst 'regulars' included two each of Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers.
Chiffchaffs were again the main feature with at least 25 present, five Song Thrushes were in the hedgerows, a Wheatear was along the rocks by the footpath and there was still a bit of visible migration going on....I logged Meadow Pipit - 25E, Pied Wagtail - 2E, Grey Wagtail - 2E, Yellow Wagtail - 1 heard, Swallow - 15E and Linnet - 10W. 

At Elmer Rocks this morning: (above) Wheatear, and (below) juvenile Mute Swan, Kestrel hunting over the rock islands,  Little Egrets heading east and Song Thrushes.




Barnham Brooks - Lidsey area: An afternoon visit found it to be all rather quiet, except for Chiffchaffs, which were widespread and numbered c.20 in the area I covered. Six Mallards were on a small flooded corner, and a pair of Kestrels and a Buzzard were duelling nearby. A Blackcap was feeding on berries, a Cetti's Warbler was singing and other species seen included Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Long-tailed Tit and Swallow, plus an obliging Whitethroat.

Whitethroat in the Lidsey area



Monday, 23rd SeptemberA wet night, as a period of low pressure arrived, but rain clearing along the coast locally at about 09:00. Thereafter a grey and cloudy morning, just about staying dry and with a fresh SW wind force 4-5. (A Met office yellow weather warning for heavy rain, but most has occurred further north, causing some flooding). Sunny breaks by afternoon and still quite mild.

Climping Gap: I waited for the rain to ease, then set out on a long circuit of this area, which took all morning. On arrival, Chiffchaffs seemed to be just everywhere and several Blackcaps were also located, but these apart there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary. Various species were slowly added to the list and a brief look at the sea added only a few Gannets and four Wigeon passing through, then as I started on my return circuit, the first surprise was a Kingfisher at the Atherington pools. A regular species, but very welcome as it was actually a patch year-tick as I'd kept missing them, though it didn't hang around too long!

The highlight though was finding two Great White Egrets in the wet field just south of the old campsite. I had checked it earlier on my outward journey, finding just a couple of Little Egrets then, so these birds must have recently dropped in. I never managed to get very close to the duo, taking a few distant photos, before a walker appeared over the horizon. As he approached, he wasn't very close either, but too near for the Great Whites which spooked and flew off east. 

My log for the morning is below:-
Gannet - 8W
Grey Heron - 1
Little Egret - 2
Great White Egret - 2
Wigeon - 4W
Kestrel - 1
Sparrowhawk - 2
Buzzard - 4
Kingfisher - 1 (Atherington pools)
Green Woodpecker - 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2
Stonechat - 1
Skylark - 6
Swallow - 5
Meadow Pipit - 4
Chiffchaff - 60
Jay - 3
Blackcap - 5
Goldcrest - 2
Greenfinch - 2
Linnet - 120
Yellowhammer - 2
Reed Bunting - 2

Distant views of the Great White Egrets at Climping
The two Great White Egrets in flight

At Climping this morning: (above) Chiffchaff, (centre) Great Spotted Woodpecker and (bottom) Reed Bunting







Sunday, 22nd SeptemberA rather muggy and humid sort of day, mainly cloudy with periods of drizzly rain and a moderate SE breeze 3-4. Still warm in sheltered spots, with the threat of heavier rain by early evening.....

Ancton & ElmerLast night, two Tawny Owls were very active, mainly from the wooded area behind Kingsmead Road/Sunnymead Close. The male was calling repeatedly (around 8.15pm) with his familiar hooting call, but clearly moving locations slightly. Then, some minutes later, the 'kee-wick' response from a female was heard several times from Ancton Way. Whether any young birds were involved is not known, but Tawny Owls do establish winter territories, so this is a very encouraging sign.

I have heard such owls calling from this location in previous years, but not recently and I would be keen to know if anyone has heard similar calls lately - or indeed  seen or heard any other owl species too.

This morning, I made a late visit to the Lane End paddocks (Ancton) once conditions improved, becoming fairly warm with sheltered areas, grey skies and fair visibility - but it proved to be very quiet and disappointing. A total of six Chiffchaffs were the highlight (!), the meagre best of the rest being a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a few Swallows, two Greenfinch and a couple of Goldcrests.




Friday, September 20, 2024

19th - 21st September 2024

Saturday, 21st SeptemberFairly cool at first and generally overcast, before becoming more humid, with sunshine at times and some heavy cloud. Less windy than the last few days, the brisk NE breeze easing to become more E/SE force 3.

Bilsham farm: I was committed elsewhere this morning on the monthly wildfowl count (WeBS) but on my return to the patch made a short visit to the reservoir area. There wasn't anything unexpected, but I logged 140 Coots, eight Little Grebes, 34 Tufted Ducks, two Gadwall, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, four Mediterranean Gulls and a Little Egret. Several Chiffchaffs were calling from the hedgerows, whilst a small number of Swallows and House Martins passed overhead and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the tree tops.

Great Spotted Woodpecker in trees at Elmer farm



Friday, 20th SeptemberA fairly grey start, the cloud gradually breaking to give sunny spells, but with the fresh NE wind still persisting to a force 4, though perhaps a notch down on yesterday. Still quite warm, with the risk of thunderstorms later.....

Elmer Rocks - Atherington (Climping): I decided on a walk from Elmer to the Atherington area and back this morning, but overall it was a bit disappointing, with nothing out of the ordinary seen. There was however a steady easterly flow of Swallows over the land and sea, together with a good number of House Martins mixed in;  at one stage there were nearly 100 birds per minute going past me and the total number this morning would have been well into four figures. The only other species of any number was Chiffchaff, with a total of perhaps up to 25 logged in the seafront gardens, trees and bushes along my route.

At least six Sandwich Terns were back and forth close inshore, whilst a flock of four Pintail flew E further out. A single Common Gull - often surprisingly uncommon here - was along the shore at Atherington, together with a flock of Oystercatchers, the latter then re-locating to roost on the rocks, where a count of 48 was made, A dozen Ringed Plovers and several Turnstones were also present. There were more Mediterranean Gulls around today, with 120 in the stubble field at Atherington with some Black-headed Gulls. Other species noted included Kestrel, Buzzard (2), Greenfinch (2), Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers (2), Grey Heron, Little Egret (3), Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit (several).

(above) Common Gull at Atherington, (centre) Greenfinch feeding on blackberries at Elmer and (bottom) some of the Mediterranean Gulls in the stubble field






Monday, September 16, 2024

16th - 18th September 2024

Wednesday, 18th September: Another bright sunny day after a cool start, with the chilly NE wind force 3-5 persisting, but with less cloud today and pleasantly warm in sheltered spots.

Elmer Rocks: Fairly similar to yesterday bird-wise; there were c.25 Gannets offshore, mainly drifting W, as did three Wigeon, whilst six Sandwich Terns were lingering before drifting away E. A flock of Oystercatchers again dropped in and a total of 42 were roosting on the rocks, together with 25 Ringed Plovers and ten Turnstones. Overhead, there was a bit of 'vis mig' which included a Yellow Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails and two Grey Wagtails going E/NE, plus at least six Meadow Pipits.
The main movement though involved hirundines passing through; hundreds of Swallows and nearly as many House Martins were heading mainly E during the earlier part of the morning, though I couldn't attempt a count as I was busy trying to check everything else! Chiffchaffs were again well represented with c.25 present in the bushes.

Lidsey WTW area: There wasn't too much in the area this morning, although on the small reservoir were eight Little Grebes, two Tufted Ducks, 14 Gadwall and a single Shoveler. A few Chiffchaffs were in the hedges, including a couple that were briefly singing.

Shoveler (top left) and two Gadwall on Lidsey farm reservoir

Bilsham farm: On the reservoir were 130 Coots, six Little Grebes, 34 Tufted Ducks and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Best here though was a smart 1st-cycle (juv~1st w) Yellow-legged Gull. (Note: for any non-birders  reading, sorry, but this is a bit of a 'birder's bird' and is basically a young gull in a distinct juvenile plumage)

Juv-1st w (1st-cycle) Yellow-legged Gull in flight, at Bilsham farm


Tuesday, 17th SeptemberA dry, bright and sunny morning with a chilly edge, due to the fresh NE wind force 3-4, increasing to force 5 later and with some cloud developing.

Elmer Rocks: Limited birding time for me today, so a visit to the local beach was in order. There were a total of 12 Gannets passing through W this morning, some lingering to fish before moving on, whilst six Sandwich Terns offshore were also lingering, moving back and forth. A few ducks were also seen moving, consisting of 14 E Teal and 1E, 3W Pintail - a few others being just too far out to identify. A handful of Oystercatchers on the beach were joined by a larger flock which noisily dropped in, to give a total of 38 birds which then roosted on the rock islands. A single Sanderling, 12 Ringed Plovers and 10 Turnstones were also present.

Two Blackcaps were feeding in some blackberry bushes, but once again, good numbers of Chiffchaffs were around, and my small circuit along the hedgerows and set-aside behind the beach produced a total of c.30; doubtless a wider search would have produced a good deal more. The was some visible migration, with several hundred hirundines on the move - mainly House Martins but plenty of Swallows too - and perhaps a dozen Meadow Pipits, two Pied Wagtails and a Yellow Wagtail amongst the commoner species. 

(top two) Sandwich Terns at Elmer Rocks (note the moulting wings in the flying bird) and (bottom) Chiffchaff in the hedgerow - one of many today.




Monday, 16th SeptemberAnother fine, sunny and fairly warm day, after a cool start, with a light NE breeze force 2.

Climping: There was no sign of the Wryneck this morning, much to the chagrin of several visiting birders. There were however some compensations, with two Firecrests and a Lesser Whitethroat around the Bailiffscourt overflow carpark, a Hobby that flew across the fields towards the campsite area, then later at least two Spotted Flycatchers, again at Bailiffscourt. There wasn't so much visible migration going on today, but other species logged were as below:-
Little Egret - 10
Grey Heron - 2
Sandwich Tern - 2W
Buzzard - 3
Kestrel - 1
Green Woodpecker - 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
House Martin - at least 50, no count
Swallow - at least 100, no count
Skylark - 8
Wheatear - 1
Meadow Pipit - 10
Grey Wagtail - 1E
Blackcap - 4
Chiffchaff - 15
Linnet - 60

Firecrests at Climping this morning


At least two Spotted Flycatchers at Climping (Bailiffscourt) this morning


Bilsham farm: It was more of the same really, except for an adult Yellow-legged Gull which stood out from the crowd of 300+ Herring Gulls resting around the reservoir edges, before the former suddenly took flight and headed off west. On the water were six Little Grebes, 34 Tufted Ducks and 130 Coots, with a small number of Swallows and House Martins above. A Yellowhammer and a small number of Chiffchaffs were in the bushes.

Friday, September 13, 2024

13th - 15th September 2024

Sunday, 15th SeptemberA lovely, pleasantly warm morning of prolonged sunshine after a cool start, with scattered cloud and a very light SSW breeze 1-2.

Elmer Rocks: A flat calm sea and calm conditions, but very little moving offshore, whilst migrant numbers in the bushes were also much reduced. A couple of Sandwich Terns drifted E and later five Wigeon flew W, but apart from c.20 Mediterranean Gulls moving back and forth there were few seabirds of interest. A number of waders were roosting on the rocks at high tide, consisting of 31 Oystercatchers, 34 Ringed Plovers and 10 Turnstones, with, unusually, four Little Egrets roosting there amongst them
There was a bit of visible migration going on, with two Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and two Grey Wagtails passing through, together with several Meadow Pipits. In the bushes were two Blackcaps and at least 12 Chiffchaffs. Also, a noisy Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling frequently and moving around between a number of different trees. It was however the hirundines that were the most conspicuous birds today, with hundreds, if not into the thousands, present over the sea and the land; the majority were Swallows but there were good numbers of House Martins too.

Ringed Plovers at Elmer Rocks

Don't really wish to be unkind, but just got to add this one. Picture the scene; lovely peaceful and calm morning with glassy sea, I'm looking at the horizon when one of those noisy 'sea motorbikes' (jet skis) appears....peace shattered with irritating noise, visual disruption and birds scattered. Each to his own, but one such machine can spoil things for many. Fast forward a short while and a Lifeboat zooms past, then a short time later the Lifeboat returns, with a now-silent machine and its crestfallen rider aboard being towed at a snail's pace, as it sedately sets course for Littlehampton. Sometimes you just gotta laugh!!


Climping: The Wryneck found yesterday was still present this morning in the same general area, attracting a number of visiting birders.



Saturday, 14th SeptemberAnother clear night with a chilly start, then a lovely bright and sunny autumn day with lighter and variable winds, becoming SW 2-3.

Climping: I decided to check out some of the favoured migrant areas this morning, hoping to perhaps find something scarce like a Wryneck, but I hadn't gone too far when I bumped into local birders Dan and Michael Booker who had had the same idea! There were a number of migrants about, including a good number of Chiffchaffs and three Whinchats, but nothing unusual. After a while Michael went to check another area, whilst Dan and I checked an area of shingly set-aside, speculating that it looked great for our target bird, but we drew a blank, so I moved on a short distance to the beach....mistake! 

Within a couple of minutes I got the call...would you believe it, but sure enough Dan had just found a Wryneck - along the ditch that runs behind the set-aside. I arrived soon after, when it had flown to a hedge where it was partly visible, but before long I had managed to see it. Thereafter it moved around a bit and was quite elusive for a while, before it began to settle and show more consistently. Job done!

(above) My first view of the partly-obscured Wryneck (centre of pic) and below, as it started to move around. (You will doubtless see better photos elsewhere of this bird - but if you want to see properly what the species looks like, have a look at Highlights 2020 for one photo'd at Elmer).

My other sightings here this morning were as follows:-
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2
Jay - 3
Sandwich Tern - 2
Stonechat - 6
Whinchat - 3
Wheatear - 3
Meadow Pipit - 10
Skylark - 3
Yellow Wagtail - 3
Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 4
Reed Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - c.40
Sand Martin - 2
Swallow - c.300 (no count)
House Martin - (perhaps 40, no count)
(note these are just my own sightings, not joint totals from other observers, which will be higher).

Bilsham farm: On the reservoir were three Teal, two Pochard, 34 Tufted Ducks, 120 Coots, six Little Grebes and a Great Crested Grebe. Around the area were
c. 40 Swallows and 10 House Martins, plus c.10 Chiffchaffs.

Bilsham Farm: (above) You know it's autumn when the Swallows gather on the wires (top two) and (bottom) joined by a House Martin (centre bird).









Friday, 13th SeptemberA clear night with just a light N wind gave a few touches of frost this morning, and a reminder it is now autumn, before the sunshine came through to give a fairly warm and pleasant day, with a little scattered cloud and the wind backing W/NW 3-4.

Shripney area: I was birding off the patch this morning, but managed a short visit here on my way back. There was not a great deal to be seen, but there were a few highlights, notably a flock of c.15 Yellow Wagtails in a field of horses, the birds flying around at times and calling - some even settling on the power cables and pylons. A Yellowhammer was along the hedgerows, as were around eight Chiffchaffs, whilst above were a Kestrel and a group of three or four Buzzards, probably a family party.
On the adjacent reservoir a Common Sandpiper was feeding around the edges, and five Tufted Ducks and six Little Grebes were on the water.

Common Buzzard at Shripney; one of a small group which was presumably a family party.

Ring-necked Parakeet: This bright green, rather exotic-looking bird may be (well) known to some readers, especially if you are from the South London/Home Counties area, where it is a common sight and occurs in good numbers. Although a feral bird, presumably originating from escapes, it's population is now self-supporting and as such it forms part of the official British birdlist.

I tell you this because in this area of Sussex it is still decidedly uncommon and even sought-after by some birders. I have now received info that one of these birds has taken to visiting bird feeders and gardens in Elmer, and very recently, video was taken confirming its identity beyond doubt. Do please keep your eyes open and if you see it please let me know....I'd very much like to see it too!

1st - 3rd October 2024

Thursday, 3rd October :  A rather cool, dry and cloudy start, but soon improving to become pleasant and mainly sunny, though with a fresh E/...