Short video clip of the Glaucous at Goring
31st January 2016 -
A check at Goring at high-tide was worthwhile as remarkably the 1st winter Glaucous Gull had returned, I last saw it here on the 15th, so where it has been for the last 2 weeks is anyones guess. Had great flight views as it passed me on the beach and ended up settled on the fields again, fantastic to see it back and glad some local birders connected after putting the news out
30th January 2016 -
2 Purple Sandpipers were at Shoreham Fort and a couple of Rock Pipits around. A drake Goosander had been at Widewater again this am but no sign when I checked in the afternoon. The Short-eared Owl failed to make an appearance at Shoreham airfield aswell
28th January 2016 -
At least 6 Bewick's Swans were seen today distantly on the meadows below Burpham church. A Little Owl was also seen near the entrance road to Warningcamp
26th January 2016 -
Stacks of Common Gulls on the fields at Goring Gap, 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls were on the eastern most fields. A few Sanderling scattered in with large number of roosting Dunlin. 32 Grey Plovers and a few Ringed Plovers were also in the roost. Little offshore, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers was about it!
25th January 2016 -
Managed to get out this morning and headed to Amberley in the hope of locating the Bewick Swans that had been in the area for a while now. I managed to find them....eventually 8 birds all adults, after scanning various vantage points, they were below Amberley village itself by the castle. I viewed these from the Sportsman pub in the village itself and they were well left from here. I would think that if you were to park in the village and walk out onto the brooks you will get closer views. All adults, numbers are really down in the valley this winter probably due to the milder temperatures. There has been no sign neither this winter of the regular Whooper Swans that normally reside Chichester GP's and Barnham Brooks each winter. Loads of wildfowl out on the brooks and a single Peregrine perched in a large Oak tree. At Goring, more birds on the fields again today, vast numbers of Dunlin and Common Gull and the odd Med Gull, worth checking out if you are passing
A Great-grey Shrike was seen again today, distantly from Hales viewpoint, Spoonbill and Black Brant in Pagham Harbour, 2 Purple Sandpipers at Shoreham. Short-eared Owls are still around and the 1st winter Little Gull is hanging on at Climping
21st January 2016 -
A high-tide sea-watch was quite productive today, probably been the busiest I have seen so far this winter, good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Great-crested Grebes were offshore, Red-throated Divers were moving east with 5 logged and a single Black-throated Diver which I first picked out on the sea fairly close in but soon took off and flew east. 2 Brent Geese east and 8 Common Scoter west, where were all these birds on a flat calm sea yesterday?
At Goring, again less gulls than recently but 263 Dunlin, 46 Ringed Plover, 10 Grey Plover and 3 Turnstone made up the wader roost, no Sanderling on here for a few days now
17th-20th January 2016 -
Not a lot seen locally as sorting the car out became a priority! Goring has held the odd Med Gull but on the whole a lot quieter there the last few days, pretty birdless on the sea with the odd Great-crested Grebe seen offshore. The cold snap and colder weather may move some birds around, the Glaucous was last seen on Friday as far as I am aware.
Sussex sightings elsewhere : The drake Goosander was back on Widewater and a Black Brant was at Pagham as were 2 Spoonbill. Spoonbill were also reported at Medmerry and Thorney Island. The Great-grey Shrike was seen again at Ashdown Forest and a Little Auk that was first seen in Brighton Marina at the weekend unfortunately died. 8 Bewick Swans are now at Ambereley and White-fronted Goose numbers are building at Pett.
16th January 2016 -
Decided to head out first light and visit various sites across West Sussex, starting at the Black Rabbit at Arundel. I soon spotted a owl hunting across the fields and in the increasing light realised it was a Short-eared Owl...good start as a Tawny Owl called away in the background. Red Kite and Buzzard were soon seen heading up the valley and various other common and expected species were noted. No Barn Owl though, maybe the Short-eared Owl had taken it's hunting area? Firecrest were easily found at Swanbourne and 3 female Bullfinch were nice to see. Good number of Mandarin Duck were on the lake and Mill stream, Grey Wagtail, Nuthach and Treecreeper were by the bridge. Moved onto the Selsey peninsula and started at the ferry pool which held nothing special, whilst church Norton was quite productive at low tide, 2 Peregrine were in the harbour, a Bar-tailed Godwit was on the beach and a drake Goldeneye and 5 Slavonian Grebes were viewable distantly on the sea. The first time this year for me it has been possibly to scan a flat calm sea! A Eider was off Selsey bill and a couple of Great - northern Divers were close in but little moving offshore. Fishbourne creek was full of birds, no sign of any Spotted Redshanks, but a single Greenshank showed well. A single Chiffchaff and Stonechat were welcome additions as was a flock of 30+ Yellowhammer near the church. Spent a fair bit of time were 3 Hawfich were added with excellent scope views in the winter sun, Brambling and Marsh Tit were seen well and in good numbers. Was going to visit another site but on leaving West Dean I hit a nasty pot-hole and now face a nice repair bill for new wheel and tyre! Got to say love winter birding in West Sussex. 96 species seen throughout the day
15th January 2016 -
The Glaucous Gull dropped into the gull roost again this morning, best views I have had of this bird so far and great to get some flight shots. 1 Med Gull in the area aswell sporting a green ring but not close enough to get the details...a new bird though all the same
The 1st winter Gluacous Gull was re-found back on the fields at Goring Gap this lunchtime, put news out and see others connected in the afternoon, wonder where it went to yesterday?
13th January 2016 -
A couple of checks at Goring this morning failed to produce yesterday's Glaucous Gull but heard it had returned yesterday afternoon so may still be in the area. Wide water produced a showy Kingfisher and 3 Red-breasted Merganser's.
Sussex sightings elsewhere - only new bird reported was a Great grey Shrike at Pulborough Brooks. 16 Purple Sandpipers at Newhaven was an impressive count
12th January 2016 -
After doing a quick sea-watch which produced very little - I decided to check if anything interesting had turned up at Goring. A adult Med Gull was soon picked up and in the distance, a nicely sized gull roost was ready for me to search through....Bingo! A Glaucous Gull was straight out on the other side of the flood as I lifted my bins! Scrambled for the camera to fire off a few record shots and got the news out as appeared fairly settled. A few local birders started to arrive a although very pale, the bird had a dark iris making it an advanced 1st winter in my opinion(quite probably th ebird Bola had seen yesterday as reported below). Dave Potter managed to get some cracking photo's (check out his blog http://friendsofgroynenumber4.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/glaucous-gull-at-goring-gap.html). Also recorded at least 7 Med Gulls in the area all adults except one 2nd winter which was my highest count of this species so far this year
Elsewhere in Sussex - Glossy Ibis and 25 White-fronted Geese at Pett Levels, Blacke-necked Grebe on the Long Pool at Rye Harbour, Little Gulls were still around at Arlington reservoir and Climping holding good numbers, Short-eared Owls still at Pulborough and Shoreham airport. Great-northern Diver still at Weir wood with 3 still of Selsey Bill and the Great grey Shrike seen again at Ashdown Forest (various sources)
11th January 2016 -
As mentioned/predicted yesterday, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull was seen heading east from the mouth of the River Arun by Bola Akinola today, still several Little Gulls in the area too. Hopefully the Glaucous will settle along the coast and will check the gull roost at Goring tomorrow. Hawfinch's have been seen again in Arundel Park today so could be worth a check if in the area. I saw some here in 2009. Going back to 2009, 7 years to this day we twitched a drake King Eider on the sea off Pett Levels ! Great day! 3 Spoonbills, presumably the Pagham birds from last week were at Medmerry today
10th January 2016 -
Had a quick look around the Shoreham Harbour area today, upto 3 Purple Sandpipers on the jetty and a solitary Rock Pipit was found easily here, a good check through the gulls found nothing unusual. The drake Goosander was asleep on the western lagoon at Widewater hanging out with 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, not close enough for photo's whilst I was there. Heavy downpours and strong south westerlies made any birding difficult on the coast today...need a change in the weather!
Sussex sightings elsewhere - Nothing new reported across the counties today. Glossy Ibis was still at Pett and a Little Gull at Rye Harbour. With several white-winged gulls around the country and colder north-westerlies later in the week, only a matter of time before a Glauc or Iceland arrives for the winter..will Littlehampton's Kumliens return?
9th January 2016 -
Sussex sightings elsewhere : The drake Goosander returned to Widewater lagoon after going missing yesterday, Glossy Ibis still at Pett Levels on roadside pools. Great grey Shrike still at Ashdown Forest, Great-northern Diver at Weir Wood still. Little Gulls still widely reported, one off Rustington most likely one of the Littlehampton west beach birds. Black-throated Diver off Splash point (per SOS website). Purple Sandpipers remain at traditional sites at Newhaven east pier and off Shoreham Harbour
8th January 2016 -
The high tide roost this morning at goring held 3 adult Med Gulls, 2 Brent Geese attempted to land on the fields but gave up and headed back out to sea to continue their journey. The sheer numbers of Common Gulls arriving in the roost must of exceeded 500 birds, I gave up counting as they kept arriving!
Sussex sightings elsewhere : The Glossy Ibis remains at Pett Levels and a Great White Egret reported at Rye Harbour. The Short eared Owls were still at Rodmell and Pulborough and Great Grey Shrikes at Ashdown Forest. A Jack Snipe was seen again at Newhaven and Siberian Chiffchaff still at Coldwaltham. Little Gulls still being reported from various sites. 2 Hawfinch's were also seen at Pulborough (per Jon Winder)
7th January 2016 -
A quick look at the sea at Worthing had nothing of note moving, the saturated fields at Goring Gap are getting some impressive wader counts best birds being 4 Med Gulls (3 ad winter 1 2nd winter)
Sussex sightings elsewhere : A Siberian Chiffchaff was a new find today at Steyning Sewage woks (access road flooded-willies advised per Jake Gearty) Great-northern Diver at Chichester marina and still at Weir wood. Chichester marina hosted a Black Brant from salterns way (per selsey blog). 7 Little Gulls at Littlehampton west beach golf course (per Bola Akinola). 3 Spoonbills still at Pagham Harbour (Bart Ives) 6 Bewicks Swans at Amberley and a stunning drake Goosander at Widewater lagoon (various sources)
6th January 2016 -
A brief morning visit to Arundel WWT produced my first Redpolls of the year with upto four birds seen, mainly flying over the car park and visitor centre. 2 Kingfishers were see, 1 fly-past on the reedbed loop and another perched viewed from the scrape hide. Reed Bunting, Bullfinch showed well and several Cetti's Warbler were heard around the site. Snipe were also on view from the scrape hide.
Female Reed Bunting - making use of the feeders at Arundel WWT
This poor Chaffinch's feet do not seem to be faring too well ? Bumblefoot?
Sussex sightings elsewhere : A dry pleasant day saw an increase in reports today, the years first Iceland Gull was found at Newhaven, 2 Jack Snipe were also at tidemills(per sos website). 3 Spoonbills at Pagham Harbour, Little Gull at Pulborough (per Gary Trew) and 4 at littlehampton west beach (per Bola Akinola). The Great-northern Diver is still at Weir wood reservoir, Siberian Chiffchaff's at Coldwaltham. White-fronted Geese at Scotney and Short-eared Owls at Pulborough, Pagham, Rodmell and West Rise marsh (various sources)5th January 2016 -
A quick morning sea-watch off Worthing did not produce much, upto 10 Red-brested Mergansers were on the sea and a single Gannet and Brent Goose west were the highlights. At Goring, 4 adult Mediterranean Gulls were in the fields at the western end. Good number of Dunlin 400+ today and 60 Ringed Plover.
Sussex sightings elsewhere : Spoonbill still in Pagham Harhour and a Goosander (per Bart Ives), Dartford Warbler and Short-eared Owl at Pulborough Brooks. 6-7 Purple Sandpipers at Shoreham Fort (per Paul Loader)
4th January 2016
Sussex sightings elsewhere : Another poor day weatherwise and probably first day back to reality for many probably reflects on the lack of reports today, Little Gulls were still being seen with up to possibly 6 off selsey bill and another at St Leonard's on sea. Great northern divers were still at selsey (2) and weir wood reservoir (per Alastair Gray). A Spoonbill was present in Pagham harbour (per Alan Kitson & Miou Helps SoS website) The Glossy Ibis was still at Pett Levels and Bewick's Swans were still reported in the Arun valley
3rd January 2016 -
A single drake Eider moving east was the first bird I clapped eyes on this morning and a couple of Red-breasted Mergansers milling around offshore other than that it was pretty quiet and strong winds and heavy rain stopped play
Sussex sightings elsewhere : 5 Little Gulls just W of Shoreham harbour late morning (per Dave Smith) 7 more seen at Pulborough beyond the south brooks (per Jon Winder) whilst another 8 were in Pagham Harbour, 4 more at selsey and 1 at Chichester marina(Selsey blog)
2nd January 2016 -
Started early and headed to Arundel in the hope of seeing/hearing some owls. Very strong winds did not help alas no show of any owls so decided to have a quick look around Swanbourne Lake. Firecrest's were heard as soon as I entered the park with 2 birds seen and a small flock of Siskin flew over calling. 7 Mandarin Duck flew in with Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck all present on the lake. A little further down Mill Road a Kingfisher was seen and a Cetti's Warbler sang. I popped down to Shoreham Harbour in the afternoon as there was a break in the weather and managed to glimpse 2 Purple Sandpipers and a Rock Pipit before a heavy downpour meant I hastily retreated to the car. At Widewater, several Little Grebes and a male Kestrel were seen and decided to check the sea once the rain had stopped which soon produced a sighting of a 1st winter Little Gull followed shortly after by an adult following the tideline. I then noticed a further 9 birds further out all moving purposely west which included 8 adult birds and a 1st winter. At Shoreham airport, a Short-eared Owl was seen being mobbed by 2 crows along the approach road at the southern end. Excellent hours birding with some totally un-expected birds!
Sussex Sightings elsewhere - A Little Auk seen off Splash Point had to be bird of the day, Pett Level still hosted the Glossy Ibis with 5 White-fronted Geese also at this site. Little Gulls were also reported at Newhaven, Church Norton, Selsey Bill and Shoreham Harbour. Church Norton also had a Velvet Scoter and Merlin reported whilst a possible female Scaup was at Chichester gravel pits. Selsey Bill also had a single Arctic and Great Skuas. 6 Bewicks' Swans were still viewable from North Stoke nr Amberley. Pulborough Brooks had sightings of the wintering Dartford Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Ruff. 4 Purple Sandpipers are still present at Shoreham (per Harry Ramm)
Adult Little Gull - Widewater
1st winter Little Gull - Widewater
1st January 2016 -
Managed to get a couple of hours down at Goring Gap where the fields here are hosting large flocks of waders and gulls at high tide. Most birding was done from the car due to the blustery and wet conditions
Mediterranean Gull x 3 adults
Common Gull 300 +
Greater Black-backed Gull x 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull x 1
Grey Plover x 25
Dunlin x c300
Ringed Plover x 48
Sanderling x 30 (1 individual was sporting coloured flags on legs)
Turnstone x 10
Starling x 36
Skylark x 4
Pied Wagtail x 2
Meadow Pipit x 1
A selection of photo's taken in poor light and rain at Goring on new years day
Black-headed Gull thinks spring is coming!
Sussex sightings elsewhere - The Glossy Ibis was still at Pett Level along with 5 White-fronted Geese whilst a Tundra Bean Goose and Black-necked Grebe were at the Sussex end of Scotney (all per Jake Everitt). Siberian Chiffchaffs still at Coldwaltham sewage works. Selsey sea-watchers were rewarded with sightings of Arctic and Great Skua's along with Slavonian Grebe and 3 Great-northern Divers(per Selsey Blog). Another Great-northern Diver was at weirwood reservoir
