2021 Sightings:
A few more images of birds of interest, which have been personal highlights.....
Barnacle Geese, Elmer Rocks (14th December). Although there are some feral populations around, truly wild Barnacles are scarce indeed here and only usually appear during severe winter weather. However, on this occasion an unprecedented movement of over 300 passed through heading west, and it seems likely this may have been due to an avian flu outbreak causing them to disperse from their normal wintering areas much further north.
Common Redstart (female), Elmer set-aside, (22nd August). An attractive annual migrant which can be seen in spring and especially early autumn, as with this bird. It decided to show itself and pose in the sunshine on a new area of set-aside designated by the local farmer (James Baird)..."create the habitat and they will come!"
Common Sandpipers, Elmer Rocks, (27th July). By late July return (autumn) migration is already underway for some species and such is the case here. I could hear them giving their distinctive high-pitched call well before I saw them - perhaps they were discussing their long journey ahead!
Goosanders, Elmer Rocks, (25th November). These two 'redheads' (female types) were present very close to shore and well inside the rock islands at high tide, where they were busily feeding, oblivious to the people on the beach close by.
Long-tailed Duck, Bilsham farm, (13th April). This female bird was present on the farm reservoir for several weeks; when it first arrived it's plumage was largely white, but it gradually moulted into the smart, darker summer plumage above. It left soon after to continue it's migration.
Whinchat, Elmer set-aside, (7th May). This smart male bird in it's summer finery is another species that turned up on the new set-aside area.
2020 Sightings:
Finally, a few more images, from Lockdown year.....
Ringed Plover with chick, at nest on Elmer beach, (4th June). A pair of this species attempts to nest on the beach most years, relying mainly on its remarkable camouflage to escape detection, but it is not always successful due to the sheer amount of human pressure and the ever-changing profile of the beach. To see the adults with a chick or two is an absolute delight, but how long it will continue here is a matter of concern, and 2023 was a negative year.
Red Kite, Ancton, (7th April). This species is becoming widespread in many areas now, but it is still relatively scarce in our little patch at the moment. This bird was one of several which arrived during a small spring influx in early April, when fortunately it flew over my garden!
Four Spoonbills flying east past Elmer Rocks, (25th March). Another well cropped record shot (well, it was never gonna be easy!) but you can at least make out what they are. This flock was tracked at several other sea-watching sites further east along the Sussex coast.
Three White-fronted Geese, with Brent Geese, Climping, (1st December). This came at a time when there was an influx of the species and other geese into the county.
Tree Pipit, Elmer set-aside, (18th August). Another species attracted to the set-aside in autumn. This can be a tricky species to locate, especially when your hearing isn't quite as good as it was and you can't pick out their distinctive very high-pitched call!
And finally...Wryneck, yet another species at the Elmer set-aside, (6th September). This enigmatic bird is always sought after and much appreciated by birders and casual visitors alike and is a joy to find. It drew in a number of admirers over its two-day stay and was a first for the M-o-S Parish bird list.
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