21st - 31st March 2024

Easter Sunday, 31st March: A cool, dry and fairly grey start with a fresh E/SE wind force 4, gradually becoming warmer and sunnier to give a pleasant afternoon.

Elmer Rocks: I was a little weary this morning (following the clocks changing to BST, plus a visit to a local hostelry last evening!) so delayed my start. On arrival the first birds up were 2 Wheatears and 8 Linnets on the beach - a good start - then offshore several flocks of Common Scoters went east and 4 Great Crested Grebes were on the sea. There were also several Gannets and 10 Sandwich Terns passing through, when I was joined by Bola, who had walked up from Climping and had been watching for longer than me, having earlier notched up 2 Little Gulls amongst other species. We then watched together for a while, producing an overall joint total of 274 Common Scoter for the morning, before we went our separate ways.

A newly-arrived Blackcap was singing from Poole Place and a Willow Warbler nearby was also new in, whilst the set-aside bushes and local woods produced a total of 4 singing Chiffchaffs.

 

Wheatear on Elmer beach near Poole Place

Elmer paddocks area: My visit to the local paddocks, via the very muddy footpath, was quite productive today and once again the Black Redstart - assuming it is the same bird - put in an unexpected appearance after being absent from some while. There was also a Wheatear in the paddocks, together with 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Linnets and a Green Woodpecker. A Sparrowhawk also flew over, whilst nesting Stock Doves were calling from the trees and 3 Chiffchaffs were singing.

Black Redstart (above), Green Woodpecker and Wheatear at Elmer horse paddocks

Saturday, 30th March: A dry and much more pleasant day than of late, with plenty of sunshine, some scattered white cloud in a blue sky and just a light Southerly breeze.

Elmer Rocks: A couple of hours early on this morning, spent checking the beach and adjacent area whilst keeping an eye on the sea, didn't produce too much, even though it felt like it should with the calm sea and light southerly breeze. Several Sandwich Terns moving east were about the best, whilst offshore there were 4 Great Crested Grebes....one pair displaying with their head shaking and posturing movements, and the presentation of seaweed! Red-breasted Mergansers were notable by their absence; I didn't see a single one and it seems the local birds have now all departed to head for their breeding grounds.

Along the back of the beach there were 4 Linnets, a pair of Greenfinches and at least 2 singing Chiffchaffs. A Skylark was again proclaiming territory with song and display flight over the set-aside area, whilst a Song Thrush was also singing, but it was soon time for me to move on.

Nearby, a Siskin has continued to visit garden feeders over the last few days. (D.Bole)

Lidsey WTW area: A pair of Grey Wagtails were within the WTW, and the perimeter hedges held at least 6 Chiffchaffs, mostly singing, and 2 Cetti's Warblers that were doing likewise, with a third Cetti's responding from a more distant area. The flooded meadows behind the works still maintain their high water levels; a good number of wildfowl are still present but numbers have fallen considerably since my last visit. A count produced to following approximate totals:-

Teal - circa 100, Shoveler - 6, Wigeon - 4, Pintail - 6, Gadwall 30 and Mallard 4. Three Little Grebes were also in the area.

Pair of Gadwall at Lidsey (drake leading, right)

Bilsham farm area: A short visit to see if there had been any improvement since yesterday - but the short answer was no! There were just 7 Tufted Ducks and 3 Mallard on the reservoir, whilst around the periphery vegetation were a Yellowhammer, at least 2 Chiffchaffs and a singing Blackcap.

Climping: The first Swallow for the patch and 2 Willow Warblers were amongst other species seen today (per B. Akinola)

Good Friday, 29th March: Still very wet and windy overnight, bringing in a fairly dismal early morning of intermittent rain and drizzle, driven on by a near gale force SSW wind gusting to force 7. Skies then clearing by late morning to give sunshine and scattered cloud, with the strong wind easing back a notch or two.

Elmer Rocks: Inspired by early reports from Selsey Bill concerning movements of good seabirds (including shearwaters), I decided to head straight to my local sea-watching spot to see if I could get in on any of the action, arriving at 07:45hrs. It would be fair to say I failed dismally and I saw next to nothing...although the drizzly rain had started in earnest as soon as I arrived, reducing visibility, whilst the SSW wind made my usual sheltered spot rather uncomfortable. It was just one of those days when conditions were unfavourable here and although I managed to watch for nearly two hours my meagre list didn't get beyond a few Gannets, a couple of Common Scoter, a handful of distant Brent Geese, a Great Crested Grebe and a couple of unidentified wildfowl flocks. Somewhat deflated, it was time to go...!

Bilsham farm area: The strong wind here did nothing to improve my fortunes and the reservoir held just 6 Tufted Ducks and a pair of Great Crested Grebes. Around the area 2 Chiffchaffs were singing, as were 2 Cetti's Warblers, whilst a Reed Bunting and a Greenfinch put in a brief appearance and a few Skylarks were in the fields. The only highlight on an otherwise slow day was flushing a pair of Grey Partridges from a field edge beside the footpath.

Great Crested Grebes (above) and Grey Partridges at Bilsham farm

Thursday, 28th March: A wet and windy night and early morning, giving way to a cloudy but drier interlude, before the strong SW wind increased to near gale force accompanied by heavy showers, as Storm Nelson passed through.

Elmer Rocks (0745-0945hrs): As coastal areas took another battering, I took the window of weather opportunity this morning with a sea-watch before conditions deteriorated, and was pleased I'd made the effort. Although there wasn't a lot moving, the first Great Skua of the year was seen heading west...with what was presumably the same bird later reported off Selsey Bill. This species (sometimes known as 'Bonxie') apparently suffered badly during the avian flu outbreak and the population is believed to have significantly reduced.

Then at 0825hrs a surprise as two smallish ducks were seen heading west over the rough sea, at reasonable range, not too far out. I admit they took some sorting out, conditions were tricky and I have certainly had much better views, but the greyish forewings and thick white trailing edge to the secondaries, an impression of a contrasting darkish front against the paler underparts and a certain flight jizz surely excluded Teal and was just about enough to convince me they were in fact Garganey. My log below:-

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 2E, 5W

Brent Goose - 70E

Common Scoter - 5E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2 o/s

Garganey - 2W (pair)

Great Skua - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1E

Wednesday, 27th March: A better day than forecast, with less rain and more sunshine, although very breezy in a brisk south-south-westerly.......

I was committed elsewhere today, but have had time for some research and so I'm now pleased to formally and belatedly add another two new species to the patch list (though neither unfortunately were within the M-o-S parish boundaries!) The first record concerns not one but four different individuals of a rare British bird, the Black-winged Stilt, in early May 2023 in the Lidsey area. Sadly I didn't personally see them, but it was not immediately possible for the finder to release the news due to access difficulties and private land issues. See photos below.....(with thanks to D.Boon) 

Black-winged Stilts at Lidsey, May 2023 - a really noteworthy record (D. Boon)

The second record relates to a sighting at Barnham Brooks on 29th November 2023, when a Glossy Ibis dropped in amongst wildfowl and herons on the flooded fields, before subsequently moving on. Another quality record of a scarce/rare bird (thanks to D. Boon)

Glossy Ibis at Barnham Brooks on 29th Nov 2023 (D. Boon)

Tuesday, 26th March: The forecast of rain all day was well wide of the mark, with a not unpleasant and dry morning of some sunshine, cloud and a moderate but cool ESE wind force 3....and it was not until early afternoon before things went downhill and persistent rain set in. 

Elmer Rocks (0715-1030hrs): Situated inside the bay of Sussex, it can be frustrating here at times when conditions offshore are good for sea passage and lots of birds are obviously moving past headlands, whilst at the patch a majority are just too far out to be identified, or even seen! Such was the case today, but even so a variety of species was logged, as below:-

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 2E

Great Crested Grebe - 2 o/s

Brent Goose - 14E

Common Scoter - 54E

Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 8 o/s

Oystercatcher - 42 on rock islands

Sanderling - 10 on beach/rocks

Ringed Plover - 2

Turnstone - 45W

Sandwich Tern - 10E

Kestrel - 1 back of beach

Chiffchaff - 2 singing

Linnet - 4

Part of the sizeable flock of 42 Oystercatchers still present and roosting on the rock islands at high tide

Sandwich Terns moving east this morning

Monday, 25th March: After a largely clear night, the dawn saw a grey, cloudy start with light rain at times in a fresh and rather chilly SSE wind 4-5, before becoming dry with cloud and some hazy brightness. 

Elmer Rocks (0745-1045hrs): I spent most of the time sea-watching this morning, from a suitably sheltered spot, which produced another good morning of departing Brent Geese, at all ranges from very distant to quite close, but also the highlight  of a Long-tailed Duck going east, plus a few Sandwich Terns. The full log follows;-

Diver sp - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 5E

Little Egret - 1E

Brent Goose - 360E

Common Scoter - 8E

Red-breasted Merganser - 4 o/s

Long-tailed Duck - 1E (may have dropped onto sea near Poole Place)

Oystercatcher - 42 roosting on rock islands

Turnstone - 20

Sandwich Tern - 5E

Linnet - 2

Migrating Brent Geese offshore from Elmer Rocks....another good movement today, with flocks passing at all ranges from very distant to quite close, as above.

Saturday, 23rd March: A cool, dry and sunny start in a brisk WNW wind force 6, with cloud increasing to give blustery showers by afternoon, mixed with sunny intervals.

Elmer Rocks: Not promising conditions for migration on the south coast this morning and so it proved to be. There were just 20 Oystercatchers, a single Grey Plover and a few Turnstones on the rock islands and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers on the choppy sea when I arrived....but absolutely nothing moving offshore barring a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls. Three quarters of an hour later it was still the same so I decided to move on, then noticed 5 large birds some distance away heading east and close in. My high hopes were soon dashed though when it became clear they were only Cormorants; albeit showing much white, with some or all quite likely to be of the continental race sinensis..

You know it's a quiet day when Cormorants feature as the highlight! This flock of birds got me going a bit when first seen at distance, but as they neared Elmer Rocks their identity became apparent and all or some sinensis race birds seem likely.

Unfortunately, I later learned that I'd arrived at the beach just a few minutes too late and missed the birds of the day - a pair of Garganey - which flew west past Climping at 0740hrs (B.Akinola) and were later seen passing Selsey Bill (A.House).

Lidsey WTW area: The works held a Grey Wagtail but little else and in the perimeter bushes were several singing Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler, whilst a pair of Common Buzzards was displaying and calling overhead. All the activity however was in the flooded fields behind, where I was surprised to see so many wildfowl still lingering...a total of 600 birds minimum, although nothing scarce was located amongst them. Out came the trusty clicker which gave a fairly accurate count of 445 Teal, plus 6 Pintail and estimates of 80 Gadwall, 30 Shoveler and 40 Wigeon. There were also 6 Lapwing, 14 Little Egrets and 6 Grey Herons.

Bilsham Farm area: Much quieter than yesterday; the 21 Tufted Ducks and 3 Mallard were still present but no hirundines, or much else, around the reservoir area. Some of the fields are still well flooded - with nice muddy margins - but there was little to show for it, the best being several Pied Wagtails, a Meadow Pipit and a pair of Reed Buntings, before a Buzzard dropped in to snatch a few worms. There will be better days!

Male Reed Bunting feeding in wet field at Bilsham.

Friday, 22nd March: A fairly cool, cloudy and grey day, with a moderate W/ NW breeze force 4, but remaining dry most of the morning before showers eventually set in shortly before noon.

Elmer Rocks: My visit lasted little more than an hour this morning, as there seemed to be nothing at all moving offshore. Then a flock of 35 Sanderlings, with one Dunlin amongst them, flew west close in, whilst the only birds offshore seemed to be 4 Red-breasted Mergansers. However, a check along the beach soon revealed that Wheatears were again arriving and I logged a total of 7 during my visit. A couple of Meadow Pipits arrived from the sea heading N, whilst 2 Chiffchaffs were singing from the bushes and the now-resident Skylark was singing above the set-aside.

As I worked my way back along the beach and getting ready to leave, I noticed a single bird all alone and resting on top of one of the rock islands offshore, on the high tide. Expecting it to be yet another Wheatear, I was somewhat surprised to note it was in fact a small wader, sitting motionless. Ringed Plover perhaps, I thought....but no, it was rather longer-bodied, slighter and longer-billed than that species...and wasn't that a hint of an eye-ring in the scope? In short, it was a Little Ringed Plover; unusual location and behaviour I know - but 'LRP' it was, presumably just resting before moving on. It is always surprising just how many species seem to use the rock islands in this way.

Wheatear on Elmer beach

Bilsham Farm area:  The reservoir held 21 Tufted Ducks, 3 Mallard and a pair of Great Crested Grebes, but the highlight was the appearance of the first Sand Martins of the year; just a couple at first but eventually building to a total of at least 10, this species often being one of the first to arrive in spring. Nearby a singing Blackcap was heard, then 2 singing Chiffchaffs and a Yellowhammer, before the deep 'cronking' call of a Raven announced the presence of a pair which slowly flew over, high up.

Sand Martins over Bilsham farm

Barnham Brooks: A few highlights reported here by other observers included an unusual multiple arrival of between 6 to 8 Little Ringed Plovers, more Sand Martins, a Willow Warbler (an early date), a Grey Plover, a Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier, (D. Boon & C. Seaton)

Thursday, 21st March: A lovely morning early on, with pleasant sunshine and just a light NE breeze, but soon becoming duller and a little cooler as the cloud increased and the wind backed to SW 3-4; then followed by a thick sea mist rolling in!

Elmer Rocks: It was quite hazy at first, somewhat hampering visibility offshore, though there seemed to be very little on the move, the best being the first migrant Sandwich Tern heading east. Two Great Crested Grebes and 11 Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore, some of the latter now getting very restless and chasing each other about. Waders roosting, mainly on the rock islands, were 20 Oystercatchers, 15 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plovers and 30 Turnstones - with another flock of 50 of the latter flying west.

It was however a good spring morning, with the first notable 'fall' (arrival) of Wheatears....I logged a total of 12, some actually arriving from the sea and landing on the offshore rock islands to rest awhile, before making their final leap to the shoreline. Other birds in the area included at least 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Greenfinch, a pair of Long-tailed Tits with nest building material, a Skylark singing above the set-aside and a Snipe which flew up from that area.

A male (above) and female (below) Wheatear on Elmer beach

This newly-arrived male (above) perched offshore on the rock islands to rest awhile, whilst the bird below had just reached the shore.

11th - 20th March 2024

Wednesday, 20th March: The spring equinox brought a welcome bit of pleasant spring weather this morning, with some warm sunshine after a grey start, and just a light NE breeze 2-3, becoming more SSE and variable later.

Elmer Rocks: Unforeseen commitments again resulted in a bit of a late start and I didn't arrive on site until about 10:00hrs. There was very little to report on the migrant front and my log produced more of the same, as below;-

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 2 o/s

Brent Goose - 3E and 5 on beach/fields

Common Scoter - 12W

Red-breasted Merganser - 16 o/s

Mediterranean Gull - 6E

Meadow Pipit - 1N from sea

Flock of Common Scoter heading west offshore

The Grey Seal was also offshore, occasionally bobbing his head up behind the rock islands, but once again it was the Dolphins (Bottle-nosed) who stole the show, with a pod of about 10 or so about half a mile out, or perhaps a little more, lingering awhile before drifting away slowly east. There were at least two large individuals - presumably males - together with a variety of smaller ones, some leaping clear of the water. As readers will have now discovered, photography is not my strong point, nor do I have any high quality equipment, but I zoomed up my bridge camera, tried to get something in the viewfinder and clicked away. The below is the best I could do....!!

The Dolphins at play off Elmer Rocks....not very brilliant images I know, but at least it gives the general idea.

Elmer fields/woods: Rook is a very common species, rarely featured, and will be familiar to most people, but actually within the coastal M-o-S Parish boundary it is not that common at all really. So, in 2021, I was interested when I found that a pair had nested in the tall trees facing the back of the set-aside field. It wasn't long before a whole gang of local Carrion Crows (some breed nearby) began to hassle them and it wasn't long either before this pioneer pair of a new colony seemed to have been driven off. Then, next year, to my surprise at least two Rook pairs had a go at nesting in the same area and seemed to have been successful for at least a while, despite their unfriendly neighbours, Then last year, in early March 2023, I discovered that up to 5 pairs of Rooks were present in the same site, a proper colony now, with occupied nests and more Rooks to defend against marauding Crows.

The only thing is, I don't actually know if any of the pairs mentioned have actually raised young, for it becomes impossible to monitor nests once the leaves and vegetation have grown to obscure all views.

So, what of this year, I hear you ask! Well, I hadn't seen any Rook activity until very recently, but today can confirm there is one pair with a nest - already seen fighting off the local Crows - so time will tell how things go. Odds against, I'm thinking....

Rooks with their nest at Elmer woods

Elmer & Ancton: A late afternoon visit held a surprise when the Black Redstart appeared yet again in the same place, in the horse paddocks behind the Lane End caravan site, having been absent some while. It favours the back of the paddocks, along the muddy public footpath accessible from Sunnymead Close. The two Green Woodpeckers were as ever visiting to feed, whilst a pair of Long-tailed Tits and a Greenfinch were both seen carrying nesting material into the bushes.

Monday, 18th March: A fairly pleasant day of cloud and hazy sun early on, then becoming duller with some intermittent drizzly showers, in a moderate SW breeze force 3-4.

Elmer & Ancton: I start with some belated news from early February this year... a local resident on the Elmer Sands estate was visited by a Water Rail for a period of a fortnight or so, when this normally shy and retiring bird took to visiting a garden and even feeding underneath a bird feeder. Although this might seem an unusual occurrence for a reed-bed specialist, it would presumably have taken up temporary residence in a nearby rife or ditch, for the species is well capable of migratory movements. (My thanks to Mrs V. Kirby for the info and accompanying photo).

Water Rail feeding in an Elmer garden (Mrs V Kirby)

This morning, there were up to 3 Siskins visiting the feeders in a local garden in Elmer, together with a few Goldfinches and a Greenfinch. (I am most grateful to D. Bole for the info and the opportunity to visit his garden to see them). Nearby, a Coal Tit was singing to establish its territory.

Siskins feeding in an Elmer garden

These two occurrences of birds in local gardens highlight the potential of such gardens, situated on the coast and right 'in the firing line' of birds arriving or departing on migration. There will be more....so if you do encounter one, please do let me know as soon as possible, and if you are able to take a photo, so much the better.

Please also bear in mind that some apparently common birds are in fact a lot less common or downright scarce in our little patch. A good example of this is Nuthatch, which is regular just inland a few miles but certainly not here! I've never seen one within the parish boundary. Bullfinch is another; yes it does occur but very occasionally and can be mighty tricky to locate. So if you do find one I'd love to hear from you!

Elmer Rocks: A flock of 30 Brent Geese went east, high up, this morning, followed by a single straggler, but there was nothing much else on the move, Offshore, there were 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Great Crested Grebes and at least a dozen Common Scoters, whilst 25 Turnstones were along the beach and rocks. Two Chiffchaffs were singing around the set-aside area, as was a Skylark and 2 Greenfinches.

Bilsham farm/Barnham Brooks: A short visit late morning found at least 4 singing Chiffchaffs and 3 Skylarks, but little else to suggest migration. On the reservoir were 15 Tufted Ducks and 4 Mallard, whilst a scan of the flooded fields produced just a herd of 41 Mute Swans and a distant gathering of gulls which included c.120 Common Gulls. 

It was great to see the banks and ditches well covered with flowering Primroses - another sure sign that Spring is here.

Primroses at Bilsham farm

Sunday, 17th March: A wet morning with heavy rain for several hours, before easing to become cool, damp and very misty, in a moderate breeze, W/SW 4....the mist finally clearing early afternoon with some brighter spells.

Elmer Rocks: An awful morning which limited the birding opportunities and I didn't venture out until the rain stopped around 1100hrs....only to be confronted with thick  mist rolling in off the sea and very poor visibility all around and almost zero views offshore. There was very little to be seen and my meagre list consisted of a flock of 15 Turnstones flying west over the beach, a Sparrowhawk going east over the set-aside, a single Stonechat in the set-aside and 2 Linnets on the telegraph wires above the long hedge near Poole Place.... one of those mornings best forgotten!

(above) A gloomy and misty view looking west along Elmer beach from Poole Place, and (below) two Linnets on the telegraph wires

Saturday, 16th March: A cool start, giving way to a pleasant morning with a light NW breeze and sunshine, but clouding over later as the wind veered SSW 4-5.

Two reports from other observers during my absence from birding today.....

Elmer & Ancton: The first Siskin of the year was seen today - on a garden bird feeder - and I'm grateful to the finder (D.Bole) for the information and a photo. (A number of these birds were reported elsewhere today, so there has obviously been a movement of them....do keep your eyes open for this lovely little finch).

Male Siskin at Elmer on a bird feeder (D.Bole)

Climping/Littlehampton: The Little Ringed Plover was again present on the flooded field just south of Ferry Road. Also worthy of mention in the area were a Red Kite, 7 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, a Firecrest and 3 Chiffchaffs. (B.Akinola)

Friday, 15th March: Another rather grey day with a few sunny periods and sporadic drizzly showers, and staying windy with a fresh WSW force 5-6.

Things didn't start well today when my plans to visit another area were thwarted by the joys of the A259 and Comet Corner; suffice to say it was again gridlock all around and I eventually abandoned and headed back home, wondering what on earth it will be like once additional traffic joins in from all the new over-developments in the area. I'd best stop there before I go into one on what I think of the current governmental policy!

So, I decided a walk around the Elmer & Ancton area might be best to calm me down, and I checked out the Lane End horse paddocks, which were very quiet today. The regular Green Woodpecker, a singing Greenfinch, 2 Pied Wagtails, a Chiffchaff and a Buzzard were the best I co do.

Lidsey WTW & area: There were up to half a dozen Chiffchaffs (most singing) and a single Cetti's Warbler in the hedgerows around the works, plus 6 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe nearby. The majority of the birds though were in the totally flooded fields behind the WTW, where around 400 ducks were present, consisting very approximately of 200 Teal, 70 Gadwall, 80 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 10 Mallard and 10 Pintail.

Pintails (above) and Wigeon still on the Lidsey floods behind the WTW

Barnham Brooks: The first thing to say is that the area is extensively flooded and the main footpath through the area is impassible in places without big wellies! There wasn't too much to see when I visited; plenty of the commoner gulls (including a number of Common Gulls) were on the floods, whilst 20+ Lapwings were spread around the site and I didn't try and count the Grey Herons in the small nesting area. Perhaps 6 Skylarks were around (some singing) as were a couple of Greenfinches, but overall it was disappointing and I didn't linger.

Climping/Littlehampton: A Little Ringed Plover was again present on the flooded field just south of Ferry Road (B Akinola). It seems probable this is the same bird that was first found on 9th March, although as far as I'm aware there have been no reports since so it's possibly another.

Thursday, 14th March: A dry and cloudy morning with some sunny breaks and a fresh W/SW breeze force 4-5, then backing due S force 5 by afternoon, with occasional brief showers.

Elmer Rocks: The clear highlight was finding the first Wheatear of the year on the patch, on the rocks near Poole Place. All birders look forward to their first Wheatear as a harbinger of spring (probably more so than the first Swallow!) and the species is usually fairly obliging to observers - but not this one! It showed for just a short time before just disappearing, presumably heading northwards.

Offshore, a total of 39 Brent Geese flew east, whilst 6 Mediterranean Gulls did likewise and a further 2 went west. The lingering flock of c.30 Common Scoter was still present, though some way out on the low tide, accompanied by 12+ Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

There was little else of note on the birding front, but a small pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins went east at some distance, often accompanied by the tell-tale sign of a flock of attentive gulls above them.

Wheatear (male) (strictly speaking Northern Wheatear, as there are many other Wheatear species worldwide) at Elmer Rocks and (below) 2 Mediterranean Gulls heading west

Barnham Brooks: A Marsh Harrier and at least 3 Chiffchaffs were present today. (D.Boon)

Wednesday, 13th March: A mainly dry, grey and cloudy morning with just a few hints of sunshine, and although mild, feeling decidedly chilly in the brisk wind, W/SW force 5-6.

Elmer Rocks: An early message from a birding friend further along the coast alerted me to a good movement of Brent Geese going on. I hurried down to my local spot for a sea-watch and sure enough managed to see several hundred birds - mostly high up, quite distant and in fairly large flocks - passing through eastwards on migration. Oddly, a total of 17 Brent, much closer in, decided to fly westwards - who knows where they were off to! Unfortunately though, the movement above was fairly short-lived and tailed off before mid-morning, when the reality that little else was moving soon became apparent.

Eight Mediterranean Gulls flew east, as did a single Red-throated Diver, whilst a Great Crested Grebe and up to 10 Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore on the choppy sea. Small birds were at a premium, with nothing other than a few Goldfinches and a Greenfinch of  any note.

Bilsham farm area: A short visit found little to report, the best being 16 Tufted Ducks, a Sparrowhawk and a couple of Skylarks....all very disappointing.Things will doubtless improve as the month goes on......

Monday, 11th March: A grey, overcast and rather murky morning, clearing slowly and remaining dry, but with a chilly NW breeze force 4.

Elmer Rocks: Visibility offshore was not great at first, but it slowly lifted, allowing a bit of visible migration as a few inbound migrants got the chance to arrive safely. A Chiffchaff was observed flying in from the sea, passing almost overhead before diving into cover in bushes near Poole Place, whilst a newly arrived Stonechat sat just offshore on one of the rock islands at high tide for some while, before eventually heading inland. A Grey Wagtail and a few Meadow Pipits increased the tally and the full log is below:-

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 2o/s

Great Crested Grebe - 4 o/s

Brent Goose - 15E, 17W

Red-breasted Merganser - 20 o/s (some displaying)

Oystercatcher - 58 roosting on rocks at high tide

Grey Plover - 10, as above

Dunlin - 1

Sanderling - 15

Turnstone - 45

Meadow Pipit - 12N from sea

Grey Wagtail - 1N

Stonechat - 1 on rocks, flew N inland

Chiffchaff - 2 (one in N from sea)

Elmer & Ancton: I'd just arrived home when the calls of agitated gulls and crows alerted me to some activity outside....a peek out revealed a Red Kite flying over northwards with a possee of birds chasing it. Struggling to find my camera, with no chance to adjust settings I only managed a couple of silhouette record shots.....

I checked out the horse paddocks and woods nearby, but could find no sign of the Black Redstart today....so perhaps it has finally departed, There were however still 50+ Fieldfares in the tree-tops, plus a Chiffchaff, and 2 Green Woodpeckers were again in the paddocks.

Red Kite north over Ancton - not the greatest shots but you get the idea!  Although becoming increasingly widespread, this species is still not common on the patch, though it now occurs annually. March sees some movement of these birds and it is just as likely this one arrived from the sea, perhaps originating from the Continent.

Fieldfare (lower bird) with Starling at Ancton paddocks