Tuesday, 31st December: A grey, mainly cloudy day, although still mild, with the odd shower and a fairly strong SW wind force 5-6 through the morning, increasing as the day moved on, before going downhill by late afternoon. A forecast of gales, heavy rain and stormy conditions through the night and into the following morning....not a great start predicted for the New Year!
Despite the weather, may I wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Hotham Park: Following my recent posting (on 29th Dec) regarding this location, I was pleased to be contacted by two birders who do visit the site regularly and submit records, with additional information also supplied, (with thanks to Chris S and Caroline T).
Elmer Rocks: Rough conditions today and with the weather due to deteriorate, a couple of hours spent looking at the sea (09:00-11:00hr) was the only realistic option. There was a bit on the move - mainly Brent Geese and Gannets - although there wasn't much variety, as my last visit of the year drew to a close....as below:
Gannet - 70W
Red-breasted Merganser - 4o/s, 6W
Brent Goose - 7E, 55W
Razorbill - 2o/s, 8W
Auk sp - 5W
Turnstone - 25
Mediterranean Gull - 2
Common Gull - 2
Brent Geese (top two), Gannet (below) and Turnstones (bottom) at Elmer Rocks this morning.
Monday, 30th December: A bit milder, though still generally grey and overcast with a few brief light drizzly interludes and a fairly light to moderate breeze W2-3.
Ancton & Elmer: A day to clear household jobs and some admin, before the rush of the birding New Year. However, whilst gardening at about 15:30hr I suddenly heard a familiar call. Looking around I saw two Ring-necked Parakeets flying west at fairly close range...presumably on their way to roost somewhere.
This was a welcome surprise for me, being a new bird for my M-o-S parish list. This species is of course very familiar to those of you originating from the London area, but it is still surprisingly scarce at the moment in this little corner of West Sussex.
Sunday, 29th December: More of the same, with another grey, gloomy and overcast day and a very light N/NW breeze with some fog, though less than in recent days.
Hotham Park (Bognor): Looking for a bit of a change this morning, I decided to visit this lovely park, of which I have fond childhood memories. The entire park sits comfortably within the 5Km patch boundary; I wasn't expecting too much, but the site holds a variety of mature trees and there had to be a chance of something, plus I haven't seen any birding reports from here in a very long time.
I was glad I visited in the end, for within a short time I found a number of birds of interest, with no less than four Firecrests, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit and some Long-tailed Tits. Best of all for me though was a Nuthatch - a hard bird indeed to get on the local patch year list. Other species included Grey Heron, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Goldfinch.
I feel sure I'll be making more visits; ok, it can get busy with walkers and families visiting, but pick your times and its a pleasant place to be - with the added bonus of a café and toilet facilities!
The interpretation board at the park, produced by Arun DC, gives a good deal of information (and they have a website).
I have been doing a brief bird count in Hotham Park for the Friends of Hotham Park, alternating monthly with David Asher, and the records have been entered on Birdtrack. The Friends are in the process of putting up a noticeboard which should include the monthly count. I have seen most the birds which you mentioned except Grey Heron and not recently a Firecrest although the bird count is a fairly brief walk around. I saw my first Nuthatch in the park a few months ago. Other birds of note are migrants including regular Blackcap and Chiffchaff in Spring. There is also a small rookery although the Rooks tend to disappear later in the year. Grey Wagtail is another unusual bird in the park which I have only seen once. The main problem for the smaller birds is the enormous number of Carrion Crows which can number more than 50 if they are being fed by visitors. Herring Gulls are on the increase too and there is a regular Lesser Blackbacked Gull which hangs around the cafe.
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