Friday, 3rd January: A heavy frost followed by another cold, sparkling and sunny winter's day, with a light NW breeze 2-3.
Climping Gap: I set out on a mission to find a Jack Snipe today, but failed on that score, with no Common Snipe either, perhaps suitable habitat was just too frozen. There were compensations however; a Dartford Warbler was in a set-aside field with a total of eight Stonechats, whilst a total of 25 Reed Buntings and three Yellowhammers were also present. A flock of at least 30 Pied Wagtails was feeding in a flooded arable field, but the most notable species was Skylark, with two different large flocks totalling at least 120 birds. On my way back there were a few Linnets, a Bullfinch was in the Kents farm area and a single Chiffchaff was also located.
Stonechat and Reed Buntings in the set-aside at Climping
Thursday, 2nd January: A complete and very welcome change today, with the overnight rain and wind having passed through, to leave a frosty clear morning in bright sunny conditions and a light NE breeze 2-3.
Lidsey WTW and area: An early afternoon visit on the patch on my way back home, having spent a fine morning on the Selsey Peninsula. The small reservoir area held just three Shoveler and 15 Gadwall, together with 40 Black-headed Gulls and a single Grey Wagtail around the water's edge. The nearby works held another Grey Wagtail, plus half a dozen Mallard on a flood and a flock of 25 Chaffinch and several Collared Doves, all feeding on a steamy pile of screenings, before retreating to the adjacent hedges every so often. A Cetti's Warbler was singing occasionally from the perimeter of the works and at least 12 Chiffchaffs were also present.
Rooks were very obvious, with 100+ feeding in the fields, but the highlight today was a total of at least 120 Redwings; they were feeding en masse in a maize stubble field, then frequently returning to the trees surrounding the fields before dropping back down to feed. A fine sight, the like of which I haven't seen locally for some time, so presumably the cold weather had prompted their arrival. A flock of up to 40 Pied Wagtails was also feeding in the field, whilst a local Buzzard was reluctant to fly from the area, as I approached.
Gadwalls with Black-headed Gulls at Lidsey and Common Buzzard
Wednesday, 1st January 2025: The predicted conditions duly arrived overnight, bringing in a stormy start to the New Year. This morning there was a full SW gale force 8, gusting to force 9, with leaden grey skies and constant light rain being driven through at speed by the wind, producing very rough seas and fairly awful visibility for much of the time; strong winds and heavier rain by afternoon!
Elmer Rocks: I managed to watch from a sheltered spot near the Kiosk (08:15-10:45hr) but visibility offshore was often very poor, as I started my new yearlist. It was a fairly dismal start I have to admit, but I did add Gannet (3W), Great Black-backed Gull (5), Brent Goose (5W), Sanderling (3), Turnstone (12) and Oystercatcher (2) amongst some other commoner species. Time to abandon as the rain increased, but at least I'm just about off the mark!
(above) adult Great Black-backed Gull, (below) Sanderlings, and (bottom) a rough sea and awful visibility offshore at Elmer Rocks this morning.
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