2nd - 3rd August 2025

Sunday, 3rd August: Mainly grey and cloudy, though dry and fairly mild, with a moderate to fresh W/SW breeze force 4-5.

Elmer Rocks: A total of 18 recently returned Sanderlings were along the beach, whilst a Garden Warbler and an influx of Willow Warblers were found in the trees and hedgerows behind, with a mixed flock of hirundines above. Log as follows:

Little Egret - 5

Oystercatcher - 6

Turnstone - 8

Sanderling - 18

Buzzard - 2 (with nearby juvenile calling incessantly)

Mediterranean Gull - c.150 (80+ on beach, 70+ overhead, going W)

Common Gull - 3

Sandwich Tern - 12W

Green Woodpecker - 4

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2

Sand Martin - 10

House Martin - 20

Swallow - 20+

Garden Warbler - 1

Whitethroat - 8+

Willow Warbler - 25 (including 10+ in one bush)

Greenfinch - 8 (including pair feeding 3 fledged young)

Goldfinch - 25

Long-tailed Tit - 6

Jay - 3

Sanderlings along the beach and (lower) Little Egret on the rocks

 Mediterranean Gull on the rocks at Elmer - this moulting bird is yellow-ringed 2TL7 (so presumably of German origin)...ringing details are awaited.

Saturday, 2nd August: A fairly cloud and overcast morning with a few sunny periods breaking through, in a moderate W/NW breeze 3-4, though still feeling quite humid and warm.

Climping Gap: Another circuit around the Atherington area, where there were a few of the commoner migrants about but overall it was disappointingly quiet. My log below:
Little Egret - 5

Green Woodpecker - 2

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 4

Buzzard - 2

Skylark - 8

Swallow - c.40

Song Thrush - 2

Long-tailed Tit - 12

Reed Warbler - 7

Whitethroat - 12

Lesser Whitethroat - 1

Willow Warbler - 6

Greenfinch - 6

Goldfinch - 20

Yellowhammer - 2

Willow Warbler at Bailiffscourt, Climping

Bilsham farm: It was again quiet at the reservoir too, with the meagre highlight being a Pochard amongst the six Tufted Ducks, several Mallards, five Little Grebes and 26 Coots. Over the water were about eight each of Sand Martin and House Martin, plus c.10 Swallows. Along the adjacent hedgerows were two Willow Warblers, a Whitethroat, a few Long-tailed Tits, a couple of Linnets and a Yellowhammer.

At Bilsham reservoir area this morning: Willow Warbler (above), male Linnet (centre) and moulting Pochard (bottom - right hand bird)