22nd - 24th September 2024

Tuesday, 24th September: A 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 September: A 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 September: A 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 & Elmer:  Last 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.