Monday, 9th September: A fairly cool and overcast morning, but remaining dry in a brisk NW breeze force 5.
I was avidly following the birding news today, concerning the long-staying Red-backed Shrike at Climping, whilst returning from a long-weekend holiday. Fortunately the bird was still reported to be present by late afternoon, in the same general area as it was found, behind the cafe/toilet block at West beach, adjacent to the Arun river mouth.
On arriving home at around 5 pm it was time to dump the cases and without delay head to the site....where I'm pleased to say that after a very short while the Shrike appeared at it's favourite spot, the bushes and scrub behind the above buildings. It was actively feeding, catching insects and flying to nearby bushes before returning. So, job done, a cracking bird and a good addition to the patch year list for me.
The Red-backed Shrike at Climping this afternoon
Saturday, 7th September:
Brief highlights from other observers. Plenty of action at Climping this morning...the highlight being a Red-backed Shrike just inside the patch boundary at the Arun River mouth by the West beach cafe/toilet block. Other good birds include Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Tree Pipit, (thanks to the Climping regular birders for info).
Normal service for this blog resumes in a couple of days.........
Thursday, 5th September: An autumnal grey day of heavy cloud with persistent rain, heavier by late morning and with a brisk NE wind force 5-6.
The miserable weather scuppered my birding plans for the day; a pity as I won't be birding again locally for several days, thus reports here may be much reduced for just a short while...
Wednesday, 4th September: A fairly cool, cloudy and grey start with just a light W/NW breeze, soon giving way to a warm and sunny morning, before thick cloud returned by afternoon to give occasional showers, with the threat of heavier rain later.
Elmer Rocks - Atherington: There was a good bit of variety again this morning, although nothing unexpected was located, except a juvenile Shag roosting on the rock islands - certainly not a regular species here - and a Greenshank flushed from the beach by early morning walkers. A personal highlight for me was actually hearing a fly-over Tree Pipit (or perhaps two) and plenty of Yellow Wagtails - by remembering to wear my hearing aids, set to maximum! Totals for my circuit were as follows:-
Gannet - 2
Shag - 1 (juv)
Cormorant - 12W (one flock)
Little Egret - 2
Mediterranean Gull - c.50
Sandwich Tern - 16+ (moving back and forth offshore & roosting on groynes)
Oystercatcher - 52 (mainly on rock islands)
Ringed Plover - 6
Turnstone - 6
Greenshank - 1 flew W from beach
Kestrel - 1
Buzzard - 3 (2 adults, 1 noisy juvenile)
Swallow - several 100's (no count)
Sand Martin - c.100 (no count)
Grey Wagtail - 1NE
Pied Wagtail - 1NE
Yellow Wagtail - c.25E
Tree Pipit - 1+ over E
Wheatear - 8
Whinchat - 2
Chiffchaff - 5
Willow Warbler - 6
Blackcap - 8
Whitethroat - 2
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Shag (juvenile) at Elmer Rocks
Sandwich Tern and Blackcap (female), Atherington
Wheatears, Elmer and Atherington
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