Notes & abbreviations

Abbreviations:  

Directions: Cardinal compass points are shown as N,S,E &W etc. and are often used to indicate a direction of flight, especially during sea-watching, e.g. 2E, 3W and 1N, and also wind direction, e.g. SW gale.

General: The following may be used in the text, for the sake of brevity - 
o/s = offshore/on sea, as appropriate

sp = species (as in diver sp or auk sp, when a bird cannot be fully identified to species)

WTW = Water Treatment Works (=sewage works)

WWT = Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust  (e.g. Arundel WWT)

Plumage: Whilst not wishing to appear over-scientific to the uninitiated on this subject, inevitably this can be an important feature. The following may sometimes be used:

ad = adult

fem = female

m = male

juv = juvenile

1st w = first winter 

1st s = first summer....and so on

Colour coding: The text that appears in the sightings reports is colour-coded for ease of reference, as follows:-

Sites in the Parish of Middleton-on-Sea, including Ancton and Elmer, are coloured blue,

Sites to the east, in the Climping Gap area and beyond, are coloured mauve

Sites to the north including Bilsham, Yapton and Barnham, are coloured green

Sites to the west, Including Felpham, Shripney and Lidsey, are coloured violet