4th - 6th November 2024

Wednesday, 6th November: Another dry but cool, grey day with a light N/NE breeze 2-3 and high pressure still firmly dominating.

Bilsham Farm: The reservoir was again full of birds, with the long-staying Black-necked Grebe the best of the bunch, accompanied by eight Little Grebes, an influx of 12 Pochard, a single Tufted Duck, 18 Shoveler and an accurate count of 188 Coots. There were also hundreds of gulls: as ever the bulk was made up of Black-headed and Herring Gulls, the remainder consisting of several Great Black-backed, one Lesser Black-backed, 72+ Common and 25 Mediterranean Gulls.

The hedgerows and fences around the periphery held eight Meadow Pipits, two Chiffchaffs and a Yellowhammer, whilst the adjacent recently-ploughed fields held several Skylarks and at least 20 Pied Wagtails. Other species logged included Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and Long-tailed Tit.

Small influx of Pochards (with Coots) on the reservoir this morning

Shovelers and Black-necked Grebe

Some of the 188 (counted with a clicker!) Coots on the reservoir

Meadow Pipit (above) and Pied Wagtail around the reservoir

Tuesday, 5th November: A notably colder morning than of late, with murky conditions early on and high pressure with grey overcast skies still dominating in a light NE breeze. 

Elmer Rocks: There was little activity offshore, with just a single Brent Goose, two Razorbills and c.20 Mediterranean Gulls going east, whilst on the calm sea were 12 Great Crested Grebes and five Red-breasted Mergansers. As the tide began to rise 30 Ringed Plovers dropped on to the beach, together with 12 Sanderlings and 15 Turnstones. 

At the back of the beach a single Chiffchaff was in the bushes, the regular Kestrel was perched on boat-masts in the compound, three Pied Wagtails flew over and several Meadow Pipits and a Skylark were heard calling overhead. In the adjoining fields some ten Little Egrets were present and feeding amongst the gulls.

The regular Kestrel seems to be almost resident at the moment along the back of the beach: here it is perched on a boat mast and looking for its next meal.

Elmer & Ancton: A total of 15 Curlew (two flocks of six and nine) flighted in to the wet fields off Ancton Lane this morning, whilst other sightings in the area included a Grey Wagtail, three Redwings, two Goldcrests, 12 Long-tailed Tits and two Goldcrests, whilst two Siskins flew over calling. 

(On the down side, I failed to find any Black Redstarts, despite checking a number of favoured spots and despite them having been reported regularly from further along the coast). 

Curlews at Elmer/Ancton, flighting into the fields.

Monday, 4th November: High pressure still dominating, though generally cloudy and grey with a cool E/SE wind force 3-4. 

Climping Gap: I was committed yesterday and much of today, but was pleased to see good coverage was achieved by other observers this morning, which produced a nice variety of species including Short-eared Owl, Raven, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Redwing and Greylag Goose amongst others. 

Bilsham farm: The Black-necked Grebe was still present on the reservoir (per D.Boon)

Elmer Rocks: The brief time I had was little more than a short walk with nothing of any note....but I must at least mention the familiar and local feral Pigeons - technically the domesticated form of Rock Dove - which often frequent the beach area and gardens. They often seem to rummage amongst the beach and tideline debris with other species, before setting on nearby buildings. Usually overlooked by most people, they do have a certain charm!

(above) The local Feral Pigeons at Elmer beach - this colourful assortment do have a charm of their own! 

(below) View of Elmer Rocks - looking west

       

1st - 3rd November 2024

Saturday, 2nd November: A grey and quite gloomy day, with a cooler breeze than of late, although still mild overall. Just about remaining dry, bar a few spots of light drizzle here and there, with a moderate E/SE wind f 3-4.

Elmer Rocks:  A grey, early winter day but a few birds around to maintain the interest. Highlight for me was the first Great Northern Diver of the season, which flew in from the west, landed on the sea a short while, then flew back west and headed further out. Other birds offshore were; Gannet - 4E and 1W, Great Crested Grebe - 2, Brent Goose - 25W, Red-breasted Merganser - 5E and Razorbill - 1 .

Along the shoreline were 21 Sanderling, 50 Ringed Plovers and 15 Turnstone, all feeding for a short while on a receding beach as the tide rose. Meanwhile, a Chiffchaff, a Stonechat and a few Long-tailed Tits were in the hedges behind the beach, two Grey Wagtails and the same of Pied Wagtail flew over, and 30 Goldfinch and a few Siskins went east.

It was then that I realised that one of the hearing aids I was wearing was now missing. To cut a long story short, the next two hours was spent searching a shingle footpath and area of beach for the said item, without success. Another one to add to my increasing list of mishaps!

(top two) Ringed Plovers and Sanderlings on Elmer beach, and (bottom) Stonechat on telegraph wires behind the beach.

Friday, 1st November: Another fairly mild, dry and cloudy grey day, but pleasantly calm most of the morning with a just light NW breeze force 2, increasing 3-4 later.

Elmer Rocks: The first day of winter really although still meteorologically autumn and bang on cue the first Red-breasted Mergansers - a flock of five - appeared offshore, together with 12 Great Crested Grebes and a flock of eight Wigeon flying west. Along the shore and rock islands, a total of 75 Ringed Plovers were present, plus 15 Turnstones, 28 Oystercatchers and a single Redshank. There wasn't too much vis-mig going on, but there were at least three Redpolls flying over and a few Goldfinches, three Pied Wagtails and about the same of Meadow Pipits. Two Chiffchaffs were also present along the hedgerows.

Sunbeams and a flat calm sea at Elmer Rocks this morning

At this stage I decided to walk on to Climping/Atherington and the first surprise was just past Poole Place in the agricultural field (Cudlow's field). There have been a number of Little Egrets feeding there in recent days, but this morning an unprecedented 32 such birds were present, with numerous gulls feeding all around them. 

Some of the Little Egrets in the field close to Poole Place

Then an update message concerning a Short-eared Owl at Climping (thanks to Dan Booker) had me hurrying, but there was no sign on my arrival. However, persistence paid off and it was re-located in an adjacent field and then subsequently flying around, often mobbed by crows. My highlight of the morning by some distance! Other bits and pieces included four Chiffchaffs, some Long-tailed Tits, ten Pied Wagtails, 20+ Skylarks, three Reed Buntings and a few Meadow Pipits. Pheasants rarely ever get a mention, but they have become very much scarcer here since shooting was stopped several years ago, so worthy of note was a tight group of 12 which flushed from a field margin....probably a family party. Also of note were two Moorhens along the beach....probably wondering where their pool has gone under tons of shingle!

The changing face of Climping. This is actually the car park area! Work to this large shingle bank is still ongoing in an ever more demanding battle against coastal erosion.

Short-eared Owl at Climping