26th - 27th August 2025

Wednesday, 27th August: A change to more unsettled conditions now, with heavy cloud and showers at times, periods of sunshine and quite fresh to blustery SW winds force 4-6, with the risk of thunder later.

Lidsey WTW area: After hoping it would rain for a such a long while now, when it came it caught me out and I got a good old soaking from a heavy and prolonged shower! However, the Wood Sandpiper was still present at the sewage works, but with contractors using heavy machinery at the entrance to the works near the favoured sludge pool, the bird soon flew off and out of view. At a small reservoir nearby were eight Gadwall, 15 Mallard, three Tufted Ducks and ten Little Grebes. In the bushes, small birds were remarkably few, but did include two Chiffchaffs, a Whitethroat or two, a Blackcap and a few Long-tailed Tits.

The Wood Sandpiper at Lidsey WTW area this morning

Bilsham farm: There were two Green Woodpeckers and eight Greenfinch around the donkey compound, plus a couple of unidentified Chiff/Willows chasing about, but again it was quiet for migrants here. At the reservoir there were still three Common Sandpipers, whilst on the water were 12 Little Grebes, two drake Pochard, 11 Tufted Ducks and 28 Coots.

(above) Green Woodpecker near the donkey paddock and (below) Tufted Ducks and two drake Pochard (with Coot centre foreground) on the reservoir.

Tuesday, 26th August: Grey and rather cloudy to start, with literally just a few drops of rain in a brief shower, then gradually brightening through the day to become moderately warm, bright and sunny, but with a fresh W/SW wind, gusting to force 5-6 later.

Lidsey WTW: I was joined by my long-standing birding friend (Bernie Forbes) for a look around some of the patch this morning. We started by following up on some information received and were delighted to find a splendid Wood Sandpiper just inside the sewage works, on a small area of rather murky flood water which was just viewable through the fence from the public footpath which runs alongside the works. A Pied Wagtail and a dozen Mallard were also present in this area, with a small number of Swallows overhead.

The Wood Sandpiper at Lidsey WTW this morning

Climping - Atherington: It proved to be disappointingly quiet this morning, with rather few migrants in the trees and hedgerows. We logged about three Blackcaps, the same of Whitethroats and Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff or two, and a small group of Long-tailed Tits, before stumbling across a Coal Tit, a decidedly scarce species in this locality. Nearby, a visit to a newly-installed but private wildlife pond produced a Grey Wagtail taking advantage of this new habitat. A small gathering of Swallows and House Martins were also feeding in the vicinity and a Kestrel was also present. There was little else on offer that we could find however, so we then opted to leave the local patch and head for Pagham Harbour for a change of habitat.

(above) Coal Tit at Atherington and (below) Grey Wagtail on a new (but private) wildlife pond