Red-breasted Goose

Wednesday 25th February - Conscious that any improvement in the weather would lead to the departure of the Red-breasted Goose with the Brents, I set off for East Head where the bird was showing well and calling frequently on the mudflats out from Snowhill Creek. Not too much else there apart from a Little Egret, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff at Snowhill Marsh, an Eider and the usual scattering of Mergansers in Chichester Channel looking out from Ella Nore, and a herd of 10 Roe Deer. The goose had been pushed off by the rising tide as I walked back so I decided to head inland for Lavington Common. The newly cleared area on the other side of the road was very quiet (just a Kestrel and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers) though uphill from the car park was more productive where a pair of Stonechats and a singing male Dartford Warbler gave good views. Next stop was Coates Common (nothing of note) and then Arundel where, after a short wait, 2 Hawfinches gave good views in the trees next to the car park and a Siskin flew over. A quick stop for the Goring Waxwings drew a blank.