The sea was pretty choppy so was difficult to pick anything up on the sea, but with patience, Great-northern Divers were seen occasionally with at least 9 Slavonian Grebes drifted by very quickly! first picked up 2 birds, followed a little later by a group of 5 birds together, then another 2, all east to west. Good numbers of Gannets were feeding offshore, with the odd Kittiwake seen as small parties of auks, mainly Razorbills moved back and forth many too distant to confidently identify. A couple of adult winter Mediterranean Gulls fed closely on the tideline and 3 Red-throated Divers moved through west. There was enough happening to keep interest going throughout which was pleasing.
I moved onto Church Norton, very rare these days to arrive and to be the only car in the car park! Maybe I was the only nutter brave enough to head out but again, plenty of birds to go through and a delightful male Marsh Harrier was picked up looking towards the North wall, putting up hundreds of birds including a nice flock of Golden Plover. This bird has been seen on and off in the harbour the last few days and here's hoping he hangs around. A Peregrine was seen on it's usual island, Red-breasted Merganser's and a single drake Goldeneye were seen out in the channel. Plenty of the usual waders were present, about 20 Black-tailed Godwits were hunkered on one of the islands, shame there was not many gulls to sort through.
Next stop was Fishbourne creek, parking at Dell Quay and followed the footpath towards Fishbourne. Again, plenty of birds to sort through, very bitter and exposed here but was rewarded with the wintering Whimbrel which showed well, a distant Spotted Redshank was roosting with Common Redshanks and at least 7 Goldeneyes were in the channel. At least 12 Yellowhammer and 2 Rock Pipits added to the variety and had a good look through the c200 Brent Geese failed to produce a Black Brant (there has been one in the area).
Moving in-land and a drive and opportunity to warm up before exploring West Dean woods. I was very surprised to find very few people around here probably resulting in the 2 Little Owls sitting out in the open and seen as soon as I pulled up in the car. A rather large finch flock was sorted through and soon found Brambling in amongst the Chaffinch here, very difficult to count as the finch's were constantly moving down to feed in the next field but included a stunning male bird. I also managed to find Hawfinch pretty easily, with at least 3 seen and probably more birds picked up by their call and generally being very vocal. Marsh Tit seemed to be everywhere here today and a visit here would not be complete without a good view of Red Kite. Heading back to Worthing, I decided to have another look at the returning Kumlien's Gull at Littlehampton, being low tide the bird was easily picked up on the west side of the river opposite the entrance to the golf club. By now the light had gone but still managed a couple of record shots, pretty much the first time the camera came out of the bag today! Good day all round without racking up too many miles.
Kumlien's Gull - Littlehampton/River Arun (N.Bond)
