Wednesday, 21st February: Yet more heavy rain today, accompanied by gale force winds and generally squally conditions.....
Although we don't usually plug commercial products on the blog, this excellent new book on where to birdwatch in Sussex & Surrey merits a mention, not least due to the involvement of several of the regulars with advice & proof-reading and the inclusion of a very helpful section on our local patch...available from independent booksellers & online and soon to be stocked in the local RSPB visitor centres (Eds)
Selsey Bill: There wasn't much doing in the dismal conditions, though five Eider went east, and a Sanderling, two Fulmars and a Great Northern Diver went west. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)
(0745-0845hrs) (SSW, F5-6)
Great Northern Diver - 1WRed-throated Diver - 1E
Fulmar - 2W
Gannet - 4W
Eider - 5E
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E
Sanderling - 1W
Turnstone - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Common Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 10os
Fulmar (above), Sandwich Tern & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: At least 70 Shovelers were around the pool, but otherwise there were just four Gadwall, c20 Teal and c30 Wigeon present. (AH)
Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: Around 300 Brent Geese were spread around the harbour at high tide this morning, but there were very few other birds about, beyond c30 Wigeon, and handful of Teal and Shelducks, c40 Redshanks and the odd Curlew and Oystercatcher.
The sheltered hedges were quiet, too, with just a Goldcrest, a handful of Long-ailed tits and a pair of Jays seen. (AH)
Wigeon (above) & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)
Tuesday, 20th February: Another heavily overcast morning, and quite cool in the freshening south-westerly breeze.......
Selsey Bill: A total of 35 Brent Geese east was a hint at migration, but otherwise it was just the usual species, including two Slavonian Grebes and five Great Northern Divers on the sea. Full log below. (SH/SR/AH)
(0700-0830hrs) (SW, F3)
Great Northern Diver - 1E, 1W, 5os
Red-throated Diver - 2W
Slavonian Grebe - 2os
Great crested Grebe - 2W, 1os
Gannet - 1W
Shag - 1E
Brent Goose - 35E
Common Scoter - 10W
Red-breasted Merganser - 3W
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Sandwich Tern - 5os
auk sp - 1E
Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: It was just ducks again this morning, namely six Gadwall, four Shelducks, c40 Teal, c20 Mallards, c60 Shovelers and c150 Wigeon. (AH)
Wigeon at the Ferry (AH)
Long Pool: There wasn't much to report this morning, with just a Reed Bunting and half a dozen Linnets along the hedges, and four Tufted Ducks and calling Water Rail and Little Grebes on the pool, plus a couple of pairs of Lapwings in the adjacent fields.. (AH)
Linnet along the Long Pool (AH)
Church Norton: A sub-adult Marsh Harrier came in to roost in the first several late this afternoon, whilst a Water Rail was calling from there and c300 Brent geese flew into the harbour from the Park Farm area. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - There wasn't too much to report today, though five Fieldfares were in the hedges and a Marsh Harrier and a Kestrel went over. (S&SaH)
Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake complex - A look round this morning found a total of c40 Pochard, c80 Tufted Ducks and a dozen Great Crested Grebes spread around the various lakes, with a pair of displaying Egyptian Geese on Ivy Lakes and four Shovelers, a dozen Gadwall and a pair of little Grebes on New Lake the other other things noted beyond a few Mallards, Moorhens and Coots.
There were plenty of Long-tailed Tits around the bushes, but a Cetti's Warbler and a couple of Goldcrests, plus a few Goldfinches and Chaffinches, was about it for the hedges. (AH)
Pochards (above), Gadwall, Egyptian Geese, Great Crested Grebe & Long-tailed Tit at Chichester GPs (AH)
Monday, 19th February: A fairly grey, if mild, morning in a blustery north-westerly breeze.......
Selsey Bill: It was another quiet morning, with just a few Brent Geese east and a Fulmar and a few Pintail west. Full log below. (SR/IP/AW)
(0730-0900hrs) (WNW, F4-5)
Fulmar - 1W
Brent Goose - 20E
Pintail - 9E
Common Scoter - 10W
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Sandwich Tern - 1os
Fulmar (above), Common Scoters, Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AW)
Ferry Pool: There were just c60 Shovelers, six Gadwall, six Shelducks and c30 Teal on the pool and c150 Wigeon on the field. (AH)
East side: A quick look along the side of the harbour early his morning produced a Whimbrel, c60 Knot, c40 Grey Plovers, c500 Dunlin and plenty of Redshanks, whilst the numerous wildfowl included c150 Pintail, c300 Wigeon, c50 Teal and at least 800 Brent Geese. (AH)
Whimbrel (above) & Pintail along the East side (AH)
North Wall: A Spotted Redshank was along White’s Creek this morning, together with 42 Redshank and the usual mix of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail.
A Weasel with prey was moving along the rocks, and a few Reed Buntings, a Chiffchaff, a Linnet and a Chaffinch were along the bushes, whilst in and around the flooded fields there were 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Lapwing, 38 Curlews, 200 Wigeon, 100 Teal, a Little Egret, two Shelducks, four Shovelers, two Gadwall and two Little Grebes.
Also, further back, two Marsh Harriers were over the reeds, and at Owl Copse, 15 Grey Herons were moving between the trees and the adjacent field. (LP/TRH)
At dusk this evening, a Little Owl was seen and heard calling, whilst there were also a Kingfisher, a Barn Owl and two Marsh Harries about. (KJ)
Spotted Redshank (above), Spotted Redshank and Redshank, Reed Bunting, Shoveler, Wigeon & Grey Herons at the North Wall (LP)
West Itchenor: Up to 2000 Brent Geese were feeding on the arable fields east of the Northshore boatyard this afternoon. (PH).
Chalder and Marsh Farms, Sidlesham: Half a dozen Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were along Church Farm Lane this morning, but a couple of Reed Buntings and a few Chaffinches and Stock Doves in Chalder Lane were about the only things seen. (AH)
Stonechats at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)
No comments:
Post a Comment