Weir Wood

Sunday 9th August - A late afternoon visit to Weir Wood where the 5 Wood Sandpipers were still showing nicely on the wet mud in front of the hide. Also 2 Common and 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank and a Common Tern. Just a Sparrowhawk and a Grey Wagtail at the dam end though an Osprey was seen after I'd left.

Peregrine and Sparrowhawk seen from the back garden.

July update

Thursday 30th July - A guided walk on the Selsey peninsular. First stop was Sidlesham Ferry where there were 3 Dunlin, 54 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers and a juv Med Gull. A careful search through the gulls on the Bracklesham Bay RSPB reserve turned up ca. 20 Yellow-legged Gulls (all adults), 4 Med Gulls (in a variety of plumages including an adult summer), a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper. Church Norton provided a welcome respite from the blustery SW wind (though clouds of dust were blowing across the harbour from the nearby fields) and also great views of 2 Peregrines, one of which caught a Wood Pigeon which it then started to pluck out on the mudflats. Over on the east side of the harbour the Breech Pool held 3 Tufted Duck ducklings (no sign of any adults), 11 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, two Common Terns and a few Sand Martins passing through. A Buzzard was perched on a fencepost at the back of the pool.

Tuesday 28th July - A pair of Buzzards over the Friston Forest Project area and a clouded yellow (my first site record). Also a Hobby over the edge of Lullington Heath.

Thursday 23rd July - Two Little Egrets and a pair of Mute Swans with 4 well grown cygnets at Widewater. A pair of Ringed Plovers on the beach.

At Pulborough Brooks in the evening: Ruff, Greenshank, 6 Green Sandpipers and 1 Common Sandpiper on the north brooks. Still one Nightjar churring rather half heartedly on Wiggonholt Common at dusk but not seen. At least 3 Tawny Owls calling but they too refused to show themselves. All rather frustrating.

Tuesday 21st July - Five Egyptian Geese and a pair of Black Swans on Benbow Pond between Petworth and Midhurst.

Thursday 16th July - A Peregrine and a Rock Pipit on the cliffs at Splash Point. My usual circuit round the Friston Forest Project Area turned up a young Tawny Owl which was heard calling in the SW corner and a singing male Greenfinch - my first site record! At Beachy Head the two Lizard Orchid spikes were almost over. Good numbers of Chalkhill Blues and a few Marbled Whites by Horseshoe Plantation.

Wednesday 15th July - A Peregrine over Buckingham Park, Shoreham. Also in the park recently 2 singing Stock Doves, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Jays.

Saturday 11th July - My first local Grey Wagtail of the 'autumn' over Buckingham Park, this evening. Also a singing Blackcap there.

Friday 10th July - A quick look at Arlington Reservoir from the north end of the dam produced a Little Egret, 3 Common Sandpipers, a 'purring' Turtle Dove and a Grey Wagtail. Another Turtle Dove seen as I was walking back across the fields to Arlington Church.

An evening walk at Pulborough Brooks turned up a male Pintail, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Greenshank and 2 Green Sandpipers on north brooks but there was no sign of Thursday's Temminck's Stint. Despite the rain, 2 Nightjars were heard churring on Wiggonholt Common at dusk and showed fairly briefly in flight. Also a Tawny Owl heard calling and a close view of a Roe Deer.

Saturday 4th July - Several Little Terns over the fenced enclosure at the end of Church Norton spit viewed from Pagham spit. Later a female Red-crested Pochard with Mallard on the Breech Pool at Pagham Harbour. Also 16 Teal.

Friday 3rd July - At least 3 churring Nightjars from about 21.45 along the eastern edge of Old Lodge NR - one perched on a branch giving good scope views. Also at least Woodcock roding over the NE corner of the reserve showing exceptionally well. Two singing male Tree Pipits near the car park.

June update

Tuesday 16th June - A pair of Common Terns at Arlington Reservoir and a Turtle Dove purring from the car park.

Sunday 14th June - The strange sight (at least for here) of a Barnacle Goose and 11 Canada Geese heading NE over Phoenix Way, Southwick early evening.

Earlier in the day a walk out across Horse Eye Level from White Dyke Farm turned up a Hobby, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a singing Cetti's Warbler.

Friday 12th June - My second timed tetrad visit to TQ01W (Storrington) today added a handful of additional species taking my total for the two visits to 47. Highlights included singing male Grey Wagtails at two sites, a pair of Corn Buntings and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, one of which was very agitated. My guess is that there can't be many tetrads in the county that hold both breeding Grey Wagtail and Corn Bunting!

Thursday 11th June - My final visit of the spring to the Knepp Estate and, as always, some nice birds. Pick of the bunch were a Barn Owl that flew out of a nest-box, a Turtle Dove disturbed from a pheasant bin and a Cuckoo.

Sunday 7th June - A rare trip out of the county to The Brecks for Golden Oriole and Stone Curlew. We left Brighton at 05.00 in torrential rain and arrived at Lakenheath RSPB reserve three hours later having been delayed for 40 mins on the M11 due to an accident. Although it was cool and cloudy at least it was dry so we headed west along the river bank to the poplar plantations. A Common Tern flew past, a pair of Marsh Harriers were quartering the reedbeds and a Bittern showed very well in flight. At first it seemed that Golden Oriole was going to be 'a needle in a haystack' bird though our hopes were raised slightly when we saw a small group of birders in the distance with their scopes pointing in the general direction of the third plantation. At first they were not particularly forthcoming with information though after a short wait I found a male near the top of a tree which posed nicely in the scope. After a while it became apparent that they were looking at a nest; through the scope we could see that it contained a female and was constantly moving from side to side in the increasing wind. From here we headed back to the car park stopping at one of the hides where several Bearded Tits gave good views.

Our arrival at Weeting Heath coincided with the arrival of a coachload of 30 people from Stourbridge. With only two hides to choose from, things were always going to be uncomfortable especially as the Stone Curlews were not on view. A family party of stoats were doing their best to decimate the local rabbit population and eventually a Stone Curlew did show though the views were brief before it soon disappeared. It then started raining heavily so we had lunch in the car before returning to the west hide. This time our luck was in with both pairs of Stone Curlew giving good views and at one point interacting with each one. Sadly both had lost their chicks in the last few days - the reason for this are not known though perhaps the stoats had something to do with it!

Friday 5th June - An overcast and windy evening at Old Lodge failed to produce sight or sound of any Nightjars - all rather disappointing! Some compensation was provided by at least two roding Woodcock, several sightings of Redstarts (including a pair with fledged young) and brief views of Crossbill and Redpoll. Several groups of Fallow Deer as we walked round the nature trail.

Friday 4th June - Purring Turtle Doves at Arlington by the church (2) and the reservoir car park (1). Another seen in flight near Chilver Bridge Farm.

Red Kite

Tuesday 26th May - A Red Kite near Chanctonbury Ring - always a great bird to see but increasingly regular in Sussex these days.

Dotterel

Wednesday 6th May - The 3 Dotterel first found yesterday afternoon were still showing fairly well in a bare field on the N side of the South Downs Way between Chantry Hill and Kithurst Hill mid morning. Also 2 Buzzards, a pair of Red-legged Partridge, a singing Corn Bunting and 3 Brown Hares.

Survey work at Knepp earlier in the day turned up a few surprises including a pair of Mandarins along the stream in Alder Copse, a pair of Hobbies (the first I've seen on the estate) and a singing Wood Lark over a stubble field a couple of miles to the north of last year's site. Also Cuckoo, Nightingale, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Bullfinch etc.

Tuesday 5th May - An evening walk round Pulborough Brooks turned into quite an eventful one with a police helicopter circling overhead looking for a man reported to be 'suicidal and full of drink'. It was hardly a surprise with all the noise that the reserve was quiet except for 2 male Shoveler, a male Pintail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler and Nuthatch. Even the Nightingales were stubbornly quiet though eventually three put on a fine vocal performance, one singing its head off despite 13 people standing only a few yards away! We then headed for the Rising Sun where the big screen confirmed that Arsenal were on their way out of the Champions League losing 3 - 1 to Man Utd.


Saturday 2nd May - My first Swift of the year over Phoenix Way and a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk over Upper Shoreham Road. A couple of circular walks later in the day, the first to see the Early Spider Orchids at Castle Hill and the second near Adversane taking in North Wood and the Wey and Arun Canal. No birds of note at Castle Hill, a pair of Lapwings and a Cuckoo by the Arun.

Friday 1st May - A sea fret over Friston Forest made walking the butterfly transect a waste of time though compensation was on hand in the form of a singing male Wood Warbler along the north edge of the Forest next to Lullington Heath. Always a nice bird to see especially as I didn't catch up with one in 2008.

Dotterel

The Dotterel found earlier in the day at Climping was still showing reasonably well early afternoon when we got there frequenting a large ploughed field behind the sea wall. Unfortunately it was probably the dullest plumaged Dotterel I've ever seen in spring but still a nice bird. Also 2 Wheatears there. Later at Pulborough Brooks a splendid Red Kite (untagged) flew past The Hanger at 16.40 disturbing all the ducks on the north brooks before departing east. Not much else to get excited about - a Nightingale singing in the hedge by the zig-zag path, a few Swallows and Sand Martins, and 2 male Shoveler on the north brooks.

This week

Friday 17th April - A Chiffchaff singing in Kingston Lane and a Stock Dove on the roof of Southwick Church.

Thursday 16th April - An hour or so spent seawatching at Splash Point was largely disappointing despite the seemingly promising conditions. The highlight was a dark phase Arctic Skua but otherwise not much - 2 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 10 Whimbrel, 2 adult summer Med Gulls and a trickle of Brent Geese, Common Scoter, Commic and Sandwich Terns. A Sparrowhawk was over the Friston Forest Project Area and a Nightingale was singing at Waltham Brooks after dark.

Wednesday 15th April - A misty start at Old Lodge but eventually the sun came out. There was no sign of the Little Bunting but compensation was provided by a Cuckoo, Wood Larks in song in 5 different areas of the reserve, at least 3 singing Tree Pipits, 3 singing male Redstarts (one of which posed nicely in the scope), a pair of Stonechats, Willow Warbler, and a Crossbill and several Redpolls that flew over calling. Also 3 Fallow Deer.

Tuesday 14th April - A beautiful spring morning at Knepp and far more birds in song than a week ago including my first Cuckoos of the year (2) and at least 4 Nightingales (one of which gave excellent prolonged views). Also a Barn Owl, several Whitethroats and Blackcaps, 4 Redpolls in an oak tree, a Bullfinch, a Reed Bunting and at least 3 (probably 5) Roe Deer.

Monday 13th April - A late start at Selsey Bill revealed that there was virtually nothing moving except 2 Mergansers, 1 Fulmar, 1 Gannet and 1 Sandwich Tern. Three Great Northern Divers and an adult summer Med Gull were on the sea, a Sparrowhawk flew out high to the south and a few Swallows were coming in. At East Beach there was a Wheatear on the shingle and 4 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff in the trees by the pond. A couple of visit to the RSPB reserve at Bracklesham Bay were well worthwhile turning up 45+ Shelduck, single pairs of Gadwall and Tufted Duck, a surprise in the form of a male Garganey, a pair of Grey Partridge, a Little Egret, single pairs of Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 3 Med Gulls, a Sand Martin and 2 Wheatears. A Buzzard flew N over Selsey pursued by the local gulls - shame it wasn't a Black Kite though we did see a Red Kite briefly near Goodwood on the way home.

Saturday 11th April - A walk in the rain north from Mile Oak Farm towards the South Downs Way turned up my first Common Whitethroats (2) of the year and a Buzzard that flew out of a tree with a large nest in it.

LSWs

Wednesday 8th April - Very slow going at Friston Forest today in sunny but blustery conditions - just a pair of Buzzards and a couple of singing Blackcaps and a complete absence of any butterflies along the transect despite the sunshine. A Speckled Wood in the garden was my first this year.

Tuesday 7th April - A pair of Jays by Southwick Church early morning. Survey work at Knepp was a bit slow in the blustery conditions with Blackcap and Chiffchaff the only summer migrants recorded. Otherwise several Buzzards (inc a pair over Hartsgravel Wood), Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Bullfinch etc. At the Millpond there were 17 Cormorants (inc the pair on a nest), 8-9 nests in the heronry and a pair of Greylags.

Monday 6th April - A quick visit to the Ternery Pool at Rye Harbour produced masses of Mediterranean Gulls and Sandwich Terns but very little else.

Sunday 5th April - An early morning start at Wednesday's LSW sites drew a complete blank at one and a very brief view at the other. A pair of Mandarins was at the first site where a pair of Shelduck flew over. The second site held a pair of Teal (a possible breeding site?), ca. 10 Redpolls, a male Blackcap, Treecreeper and an adder that slid off into the undergrowth. Next stop was a nearby area of heathland where we were rewarded with a singing Wood Lark (though not seen), a song-flighting Dartford Warbler and lots of noisy Siskins. The highlight however was a superb sand lizard - a Sussex first for me. We then headed back to the first LSW site where a female showed very well, even doing its 'butterfly' display flight. Both calling and drumming were heard. Also a Grey Wagtail. Later, a couple of Buzzards flew high over the beer garden of the Rising Sun at Nutbourne and what looked suspiciously like a White Wagtail perched briefly on the roof. A male Orange-tip in the road outside was my first of the year.

This week

Thursday 2nd April - Survey work in the Friston Forest Project Area turned up a stunning Firecrest (my first site record), a Tawny Owl hooting at 12:35 and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The murky conditions were slow to clear but eventually I set out on the butterfly transect recording 4 species: Peacock (5), Brimstone (3 males), Comma (1) and Red Admiral (1).

Wednesday 1st April - There can be few more agreeable places to be in Sussex on a glorious spring morning than Burton Mill Pond and so it was to prove today as 13 SOS members met up with me for a walk round the nature trail. We noted 45 species – a respectable total for an inland site. Waterbirds included Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe on Burton Pond, Little Grebe in breeding plumage on Black Pond, and Shelduck, Gadwall and Teal on Chingford Pond. Several Buzzards were seen overhead as the day warmed up while in the wooded areas we saw or heard Stock Dove, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed, Coal and Marsh Tits, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Bullfinch. A Grey Wagtail was seen briefly at Chingford Pond and a male Reed Bunting perched at the top of a beech tree round the back of Burton Pond. Wildlife interest was not restricted to birds – several male Brimstones were on the wing in the spring sunshine while some interesting plants included Marsh Marigold, Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Wood Sorrel and the inconspicuous Townhall Clock.

At long last I managed to catch up with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker with a brief view of a male at one site (heard calling a couple of times) and a second bird calling repeatedly and drumming at a new site for about 10 minutes though not seen.

Tuesday 31st March - The Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming on its' favourite telegraph post, the Green Woodpecker was heard calling and a Stock Dove was prospecting Southwick Church.

Survey work along the transects on the Knepp Estate produced all the usual suspects, the pick of the bunch being 4 Teal, 4 Sand Martins flying N, 4 Bullfinches together and a male Reed Bunting along the transect south of Countryman Lane. Although the Millpond is not part of my survey area, I stopped by to count the nests in the Heronry. This year the birds seem to have deserted the nests in the tree canopy and have moved to the end of the 'dog leg' where they are nesting much lower down and in some cases just above the water. I counted 9 occupied nests. Of greater significance were 11 Cormorants perched in the trees including a pair of Continental birds occupying an apparent nest. This is a potential new breeding site, the only other sites in Sussex being Castle Water and Lewes Brooks. Also a pair of Mandarins, a male Gadwall and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Monday 30th March - The usual early morning circuit with the dogs was enlivened by a Great Spotted Woodpecker knocking seven bells out of a telegraph post, a Green Woodpecker (scarce locally) on the spire of Southwick Church and a Jay.

Sunday 29th March - A 'walk in the woods' right up to the Surrey border failed to deliver LSW or Friday's Willow Tit - all rather disappointing. Three Marsh Tits heard singing and a pair of Buzzards were the only birds of note.

Three Buzzards together beside the A283 at Wiston.

Spoonbill & Willow Tit

Saturday 28th March - The Spoonbill found by Matt Eade on the scrape at Cuckmere Haven early morning was still present early afternoon in the fields on the west side of the river south of the Golden Galleon. In true Spoonbill fashion it spent most of the time asleep though at one stage went for a short walk revealing a yellow flag on the left leg and a green colour ring on the right. The combination of rings indicates that it is of Dutch origin. Also in the area 5 Shelduck, ca. 6 Little Egrets, 2 Curlew and a Green Woodpecker. A very heavy rain shower at Arlington Reservoir brought down 5+ Swallows and a Sand Martin though by the time we'd done the whole circuit they'd moved on. Not much else there - 5 Tufted Duck, Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpeckers, Mistle Trush, 3 Chiffchaffs (2 singing) and Nuthatch (h). No sign of the 'pole hunting' Long-eared Owl in a short search after dark - perhaps it's moved on?

Friday 27th March - Despite the less than ideal conditions, Bridget and I headed inland in search of LSWs. In the cold wind there was very little woodpecker activity - not surprisingly we failed with LSW though a major bonus was a male Willow Tit which was singing continuously (pee-oo pee-oo) from the canopy of an area of oak and hazel coppice. Like the West Dean birds it was very mobile continually flying from tree to tree though I did manage to get a good (if somewhat brief) view of it. Also in the area were at least 3 (possibly 6) Buzzards, a male Bullfinch and a male Reed Bunting. Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Yellowhammer were all heard.

Stock Doves

A pair of Stock Doves between Southwick Green and the church. Looks as if they are going to breed locally again.

Knepp

Tuesday 24th March - A few birds on my early morning circuit with the dogs - Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming into a telegraph pole and a pair of Jays.

Walked both the transects at Knepp for the first time this spring. A surprise was a pair of Grey Partridge (my first on the estate). Also several sightings of Buzzards plus a nice selection of common birds including Stock Dove, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sky Lark, 3 Redwings, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, a pair of Bullfinches, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Two Commas in the spring sunshine and a fine display of wild daffodils in the recently thinned Coate's Furzefield.

Blackcap

Monday 23rd March - A singing male Blackcap in the 'Yellow-browed Warbler' garden in Phoenix Crescent.

Sunday 22nd March - Harlequins 38 Sale 20. A Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on the way to the Stoop and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets after the game.

Saturday 21st March - A beautiful spring day but few birds around on Beeding Brooks where a circular walk turned up just a handful of Sky Larks and Meadow Pipits and 3 Reed Buntings (2 singing).

Friday 20th March - A singing Chiffchaff and 23 Mute Swans at Hove Lagoon and a female Peregrine sunning itself at the front of the nestbox on the power station chimney.

Last few days

Thursday 19th March - Warm and sunny again after a cold and frosty start. An early morning vigil from 6 a.m. produced lots of woodpecker activity with 2 pairs of Great Spotted and a pair of Green in the same tree but sadly no sight or sound of Lesser Spotted. Lavington Plantation was much better with a pair of Wood Larks, a big mob of noisy Siskins, 3 Lesser Redpolls, a pair of Crossbills that gave great views in the bright sunshine and several Yellowhammers. Across the road was very quiet, despite the warm and still conditions, though we did eventually manage brief views of a Dartford Warbler which gave a couple of bursts of song. Also a pair of Kestrels and a pair of Mistle Thrushes. The Dartfords were more obliging at our next stop with a pair accompanying a pair of Stonechats on Heyshott Common and a singing male on Ambersham Common. Also a pair of Buzzards and a Marsh Tit. The Egyptian Goose family in nearby Petworth Park had reduced to 5 goslings (previously 8). Also Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebes (2 paired up), several Stock Doves, Mistle Thrush and a Brambling that flew by calling. At Pulborough Brooks yesterday's Garganey had been seen earlier from Winpenny hide before flying towards The Hanger. North Brooks seemed the logical place for them to be but all we could find were 2 Little Egrets and the same 21 Black-tailed Godwits as yesterday. Winpenny hide produced 4 Little Ringed Plovers together and 4 Dunlin while the field opposite held 4 White Wagtails feeding round the cow pats. Nuthatch and Redpoll were in the trees by the car park.

Exceptional views of a Long-eared Owl 'pole hunting' after dark but please don't ask where...



Wednesday 18th March - News of 3 Garganey at Pulborough Brooks (part of an influx into Sussex today) seemed like a good excuse for a walk round the reserve on a beauliful still evening. The Garganey did not co-operate though I did see 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 21 Black-tailed Godwits and a Swallow on the North Brooks and 2 Little Egrets from Winpenny hide. The Swallow was my earliest ever in the UK.

Tuesday 17th March - The morning started well with brilliant views of a Barn Owl that flew through the pub car park. Although a reliable site for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in recent springs we had to be content with distant drumming and all the usual woodland birds including 4 Treecreepers. A pair of Mandarins flew past us calling and a loose flock of ca. 20 Fieldfares was up in the tree tops.

We then moved on to Burton Mill Pond where LSW again failed to show though our walk round the nature trail did turn up 3 Gadwall on Chingford Pond, a pair of Buzzards, a Great Crested Grebe with a large fish, Kingfisher and an obliging pair of Grey Wagtails at Burton Pond, 3 Redpolls and, best of all, a delightful pair of Wood Larks on the heathland area showing down to a few yards. A number of brimstones (all males) were on the wing in the warm and sunny weather.

Thorney

Monday 16th March - A pristine Comma in the garden.

Sunday 15th March - A quick look at the mill stream at Arundel turned up 3 Mandarins (2 males), single pairs of Gadwall and Tufted Duck, and a Kingfisher. The Hawfinches nearby continue to oblige with good views of at least 3 birds, also a Sparrowhawk overhead (ignored by a Hawfinch), a Stock Dove and a couple of Nuthatches. The guided walk round the perimeter of Thorney Island in the warm spring sunshine was another success, the highlights being a Barnacle Goose with the Brents, a Whimbrel and 3 summer plumaged adult Med Gulls in Emsworth Channel, Bearded Tit and Cetti's Warbler heard calling at the Little Deep, 2 Greenshank at the west end of the Great Deep, 75 Sanderling and a brief Corn Bunting at Pilsey and a Short-eared Owl over the saltmarsh at Longmere Point. Despite a lot of human disturbance, the roosting waders - Oystercatchers, Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwits (one summer plumaged bird) and Redshank - put on a good show either side of high tide as did several hundred Brent Geese. Birds of prey were largely absent - just 2 Buzzards and a Kestrel.

Spring is here!

Saturday 14th March - A dull and overcast start to the day resulted in a fall of Wheatears all the way along the coast. At Widewater there were 6 splendid males on the beach beside the cycle track. Also the long-staying Black Redstart, a White Wagtail, 4 Little Grebes and a Little Egret. A Ringed Plover and 11 Turnstone on the beach.

Last few days

Quiet again locally, the only birds of note being the pair of Peregrines at the power station, a pair of Mergansers on Southwick Canal and 8 Purple Sandpipers on the inner west arm of Shoreham Harbour at high tide (my highest count there this winter). The Peregrines were seen mating on the chimney ring next to the nestbox.

Wednesday 11th March - A 'round the block' walk with the dogs at first light turned up a Heron over the rooftops, 4 Redwings flying N and a singing Goldcrest in Kingston Lane. Heading inland, a walk through the woods produced all the usual woodland birds (Buzzard, Stock Dove, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrest, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper etc) and also Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers drumming in two areas. Although one sounded fairly close, we were unable to track it down, much to everyone's frustration. Three Greylag Geese and a Grey Wagtail flew over calling and 2 Red-legged Partridge scurried across a field before flying off. Our next stop was the heathland restoration area at Wiggonholt Common where we saw ca. 20 Redwings, a singing Mistle Thrush, 2+ Siskins and, best of all, a party of 9 Crossbills (including several fine males) perched at the top of an oak tree. Pulborough Brooks was a little disappointing, the highlight being a female adder basking beside the trail in the warm spring sunshine. A couple of Little Egrets, 2 Pintail, 2 Sky Larks, a party of Redwings, Mistle Thrush, a singing Nuthatch and a flock of ca. 20 Linnets were the only birds of note. A quick stop where we'd heard one of the LSWs drumming earlier drew a blank though 3 Roe Deer that slipped away into the woods were some consolation. On to Arundel where at least 2 Hawfinches gave some excellent views despite a lorry arriving and dumping a large mound of sand in the car park and various noisy tractors trundling past. A Peregrine flew overhead heading north.

Sunday 8th March - A quick look at Church Norton in the afternoon turned up two flocks of Knot on the beach totalling perhaps 200 birds and 16 Med Gulls, mainly adults in full summer plumage. The tide was way out so there was no sign of any divers, grebes or sea duck.

Woodcock

Friday 6th March - Flushed a Woodcock during survey work at Offham Marshes today. Also Stock Dove and Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers there. Despite seemingly promising conditions for an early Wheatear, Newhaven Tidemills was devoid of birds except for 2 Kestrels and 3 Stonechats.

Weekend

Sunday 1st March - Gareth and I got up early and visited two sites for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We drew a blank at both possibly due to the dull and overcast conditions. At the first site we saw Nuthatch and Treecreeper and heard 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming. Also 2 Roe Deer. At the second site a flock of 50 Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers together and a Nuthatch. In the afternoon, Bridget and I took the dogs for a walk on the Downs. It was very quiet apart from a Short-eared Owl in the same area where I saw 2 last Sunday.

Saturday 28th February - A quick look at Beeding Brooks turned up a Little Egret, a Peregrine perched high on one of the pylons and 2 Chiffchaffs (one singing weakly) in the hedge by the sewage works. In the afternoon Bridget and I walked up to the Chattri memorial and then back to the car via Lower Standean. An area I hadn't been to before with a few birds - a pair of Buzzards, 3 Stock Doves, ca. 20 Yellowhammers (at the Chattri) and 7 Linnets.

Long-eared Owl

Friday 27th February - Having failed in all my previous attempts to see LEOs this year, Gareth and I finally caught up with one today. An after dark spotlighting trip up on to the Downs was rewarded with close views of a LEO hunting over a rough grassy slope next to the road which Gareth was able to pick up in the spotlight.

Earlier in the day I made my late TTV to TQ01W (Storrington). Although not the most exciting tetrad in the county, I took my species total for the two visits to a creditable 48. The highlights today were 2 Red-legged Partridges, Buzzard, Kestrel, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sky Lark, Marsh Tit, 2 Treecreepers and 3 Nuthatches. A quick look round the Rackham area afterwards was more memorable for butterflies (7 male Brimstones and a Peacock) though I did see Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and a single Siskin.