26th - 28th August 2024

Wednesday, 28th August: Dry and reasonably warm, with sunshine and cloud through the day and a moderate SSE wind 3-4.

Climping Gap: I walked a circuit this morning that took in a number of likely spots for migrants, but found it amazingly quiet for the time of year, considering that it is around the peak time for a number of warblers and other species to appear. I logged four Willow Warblers, at least two Blackcaps and one probable Whitethroat, but there was precious little else in the bushes, whilst c.45 Swallows were heading east.

I met up with local birder Richard Grimmett who told me he'd managed a find two Wheatears and a Whinchat on the back of the golf course, but no Willow Warblers! We had a good moan about the lack of birds present, as a Redshank flew in to the shingly set-aside (what's left of it!), but thereafter I left him to it and decided to try elsewhere.

Shripney area: The hedgerows and bushes here were notably quiet too, with just two Willow Warblers the best I could do. The weedy fields held c.70 Goldfinches, up to 10 Greenfinches and just a few Linnets.

A Common Sandpiper was on the reservoir, together with seven Tufted Ducks and eight Little Grebes, whilst ten Swallows also appeared for a while. Then, just as I was about to leave, two calling Green Sandpipers heralded their appearance, dropping in for a few minutes, before departing again.

Two Green Sandpipers at Shripney; they only stayed for a few minutes.

Tuesday, 27th August: A generally fine, sunny and dry day, with some scattered cloud and a moderate Southerly breeze, force 3-4, feeling pleasantly warm in sheltered areas.

I was pleased to receive an e-mail recently from a Middleton lady who visits the blog site regularly and made complimentary comments; I am grateful for such remarks which makes the effort of compiling it worthwhile and is indeed one of the reasons I started the blog. If readers have any constructive criticism, I can handle that too!

On the downside though, she recently witnessed a Gannet in distress on the beach and it transpired the bird had a fish-hook in its mouth and a length of discarded fishing line, with a weight on the end, wrapped around it’s wing. Fortunately the bird was rescued by a wildlife volunteer before it perished and was taken into care – though it’s recovery is far from certain. I’m sure that most anglers are aware of such dangers and behave responsibly, but this is a timely reminder of what can happen by the actions of a small minority who discard their line carelessly. In fairness, Gannets plunge dive to fish for food, usually in deeper water, so it is possible the problem occurred further out to sea, perhaps even around charter fishing boats.

Elmer Rocks: Another day with masses of gulls feeding offshore at various ranges, although Mediterranean Gulls didn't seem quite so numerous this time. There was little actually passing through offshore and I only stayed for an hour and a half. On the shore and rock islands were two Little Egrets, 26 Oystercatchers, 30 Ringed Plovers and six Turnstones, whilst around the hedgerows behind the beach were a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, three Willow Warblers and a single Whitethroat.

Oystercatchers and Little Egret on the beach at Elmer Rocks

Bilsham farm: The reservoir held 15 Tufted Ducks, a Pochard and three Little Grebes, whilst Coot numbers have increased again to a respectable 76. A flock of about eight Swallows and six Sand Martins appeared for a short while before moving on, but around the fields and hedgerows it was extremely quiet; two Willow Warblers were located - one even singing briefly - but just where have all the Whitethroats gone this year? 

Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August: After some early showers, a mainly bright and breezy day, with sunshine, scattered cloud and a fresh W/SW wind force 4-5.

Elmer Rocks: There were hundreds of gulls offshore again and plenty of Mediterranean Gulls about, but just one Sandwich Tern was seen in an hour or so this morning. Five Gannets also moved through distantly, but bird of the morning was a hunting Peregrine, which shot through at speed, over the sea and quite high up, heading west. It was otherwise quiet, but a Wheatear and a Willow Warbler were in fields behind the beach, and a young Buzzard was calling constantly from a nesting area, before I moved on.

Elmer Rocks: Not the best images of a Peregrine you'll ever see, but by the time I had my camera to hand it was well on its way!

Climping Gap: It was hard going for me this morning as I covered a couple of different areas at this site, initially for little reward. Migrants seemed hard to find, but gradually I added a few birds, including another Peregrine, then I met up with a couple of other local birders (D & M Booker) who had done rather better than me. Eventually things improved and the below list gives details of our joint sightings:- 

Peregrine - 1

Skylark - 6

Green Woodpecker - 3

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2

Buzzard - 2

Kestrel - 1

Whinchat - 4

Redstart - 3  (of which I saw none!)

Wheatear - c.9

Greenfinch - 20+

Reed Bunting - 3

Linnet - c.100

Goldfinch - c.40

Whitethroat - 4

Lesser Whitethroat - 1

Blackcap - 2

Willow Warbler - 7

Spotted Flycatcher - 1

Jay - 2