Picture titles

Pallas's Gull - Oman 28th Feb 2024

29 December, 2013

Couple of shots of the Brunnich's Guillemot at Portland Marina.




14 December, 2013

107 Curlew in the field this morning off Climping Beach, sea watching proved chilly and not very rewarding a quick twenty mins produced 12 Common Scoter and 3 Great-crested Grebe.

13 December, 2013


Evidence of some of the recent Tree Planting

 
104 Curlew in the field north of Climping Beach this morning, also 1 Red-throated Diver close inshore and 3w Diver spa.7w 3e Gannet, 11w 3e Red-breasted Merganser, 4os  Great-crested Grebe and 1 Med Gull. 50 Linnetnorth of the mill cottages, 4 Buzzard and a single Goldcrest.

Grey Heron 10/12/13 River

10 December, 2013

An hour sea watch from the Car Park at 13:30 produced 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2os Red-throated Diver, 1w Diver sp,19 Great-crested Grebe, 9os Common Scoter, 12w Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Gannet, and 1 Rock Pipit on the beach.

06 December, 2013

 
Just an update on the Hippolais Warbler seen at at Climping Beach on the 27th August 2013  Photographs were sent to several individuals with the consensus coming back that that the bird was a Booted Warbler.

In the patch today
Great-crested Grebe 14
Common Scoter 18
Eider 4
Red-breasted merg 25 at least
Diver sp 4 2E 2W
Sanderling 25
Grey Plover 20
Buzzard 3
Grey Partridge 6
Mistle Thrush 2
Song Thrush 4
Kingfisher 1
Meadow Pipit 24

Marsh Farm this morning produced 50 Teal, 35 Gadwall, 12 Wigeon, 1 Shelduck, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Snipe, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redwing, 1 Stonechat, 2 Skylark, 2 Jay, 1 Yellowhammer, and 2 Grey Heron.

Climping Beach Wed 4th Dec
Common Scoter 50w -  25os
Red-breasted Merganser -  23w 10e 25 os
Great-crested Grebe -  45
Gannet 22w
Black-throated Diver 1w
Red-throated Diver 5w 1e
Eider 1 os
Brent Geese 3e 7w
Buzzard 2
Goldcrest 1

 An hour of sea watching from East Beach on Tues 3rd Dec produced the following;
40 Common Scoter, 5 Great-crested Grebe, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Diver, 6 Eider and 1 Razorbill. All were on the sea gradually moving east, also Sanderling 25, Oystercatcher 30 and Turnstone 45.
 

02 December, 2013

Records for Sat 30th Nov
 Sea watch;
1 Drake Velvet Scoter,
2 eider OS,
25+ Great Crested Grebe OS, 12 East, 7 West,
13 Common Scoter OS, 3 East, 7 West,
2 Red-breasted Merganser OS, 23 East, 7 West,
 
Bailiffs Court; 2 Goldcrest, 2 Buzzard, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker and 3 Stock dove.
Field in front of primary school; 2 Skylark, 15 Oystercatcher, 1 Med Gull and 15+ Common Gull.

27 November, 2013


Slav Grebe off Climping Beach

Apologies for the poor quality shot's

With the sea flat calm no wind and a sea fog, I didn't spend a great deal of time sea watching off Climping this morning, but did produce 1 Slavonian Grebe with 15 Great-crested Grebe. Bar-tailed Godwit at West Beach and just  2os Teal, a few Common Scoter, Red-breasted Mergansers,  and small flocks of Sanderling, moving east. Quick look around Bailiffscourt  turned up 1 Bullfinch and 2 Goldcrest.

26 November, 2013

A lovely cold bright sunny day produced 1 Firecrest at the mill, also 2 Bullfinch and 1e Redpoll. Nearby 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 15 Linnet, and 30 Pied Wagtail in the fields north of the Mill. 3 Stonechat at West Beach along with 12 Meadow Pipit. Offshore 4e Red-throated Diver, 21os Wigeon os, 18os Common Scoter, 12os Great-crested Grebe,  and 42os Brent Geese. 2w Dunlin , 2 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron,  20 Grey Plover, and 1 Redshank in the river.

24 November, 2013

Highlight of the day a splendid female Lapland Bunting. Took a different route around the patch today by going down to the dunes on West beach first thing. Just got to start of dunes (8.20am) when I noted two birds overhead, one was obviously a meadow pipit the other was calling and clearly not a meadow pipit. Both landed some twenty feet away from me on the shingle. Clear straight away that one was a Lapland bunting. Gave excellent views before flying onto the French around the earth digging machine on the beach. Again gave excellent views before eventually flying off north east. Looked for it for two hours but no luck, reed buntings and meadow pipits in the area.
Snow bunting reported from same spot last week; was shown photographs of the bird by another local birder.

Peregrine 2
Stonechat 4
Brent geese 100
Sanderling 68
Med Gull 2
Grey Plover 5
Rock Pipit 1
Reed Bunting 4
Common Scoter 4
Great-crested Grebe 1

22 November, 2013


As ever with the patch just when it looked a bit dull a few things turned up. Three groups of Brent geese on the fields 160+ but chased away by the local buzzard! Then three groups of common scoter, all started on the sea but eventually flew east, some excellent views. Further details below;

Peregrine 1
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Teal 1
Shelduck 3
Common scoter 103
Brent geese 160+
Med gull 3
Little egret 1
Oystercatcher 38
Turnstone 40
Dunlin 1
Sanderling 38
Grey plover 6
Great crested grebe 8
Cormorant 64
Diver sp 2E
Auk sp 1E
Gannet 1
Stonechat 3
Chiffchaffs 1
Records for 21/11
Mid afternoon, I took a quick stroll around Marsh Farm as I haven't covered it for a while, good assortment on the big pool with 37 Gadwall, 40 Teal, 24 Wigeon, and 1 Little Grebe In and around the Fram  2 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellowhammer, 50 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, and 2 Buzzard.

Seawatching from the patch this morning was fairly productive but a lot of the birds too distant, 4w Red-throated Diver, 1e Diver sp, 9w Eider, 1w Auk sp, 13e 2w Gannet, 17 Med Gull, 3 Great-crested Grebe, 75e 7w Common Scoter, 33w Brent Geese, c100w Teal,  5w Tufted Duck, 130w Oystercatcher, 45 Grey Plover, 23 Sanderling, 60 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, and 1 Little Egret.

19 November, 2013

Bar-tailed Godwit West Beach

Turnstone
Grey Partidge just a few left in the patch
Very quiet offshore this morning with 8 Great-crested Grebe, 5w Brent Geese, 4e Common Scoter, 1 Med |Gull and 12 Red-breasted Mergansers. Not a lot better inland but a least 4 Firecrest present in and around Bailiffscourt, 5 Goldcrest and 2 Buzzard.

Sightings for Mon 18/11
3 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1e Golden Plover, 18 Lapwing, 20 Sanderling, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 28 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Grey Partridge and a Sparrowhawk.

12 November, 2013

Sea watch from Climping car park this morning produced plenty of Brent Geese moving with 36e 292w.  Also 3e Eider, 15w Wigeon, 8e 8w Common Scoter, 1w Red-throated Diver, 10w Red-breasted Merganser, 18w Dunlin, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1w 1e Med Gull and 1w Curlew. In and around the bushes small numbers of Redpoll heard moving east and a couple of Siskin, 1-2 Bullfinch, 3 Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Kestrel, and a Sparrowhawk.

Records for Sun 10/11

Combined totals today could only muster a late Willow Warbler, also 1 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 11 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 12 Linnet, 3 Siskin,  1 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Water Rail, 3 Buzzard, 7 Grey Partridge, 10 Grey Plover, 1e Med Gull, 1e Little Egret, 2 Redshank ,3 Grey Heron, 1w Brent Goose, and 300 Wood Pigeon.

06 November, 2013


Well it had been a poor day, by the time I got to Atherington the bird of the day had been a gold crest! As I got to the sea front I noted that the tide was very, very high, suddenly a large skua flew west along the tideline no more than twenty feet away from me. It showed all the features of a pomarine skua, the double white patch under the wing showing very well. Amazing! It then came back! It attacked three herring gulls and eventually sauntered off towards the south west.
Other than that not much around.

05 November, 2013

Very quiet in the woods in the blustery conditions, offshore 70w Brent Geese, 2 Med Gull c200 Turnstone early afternoon at West Beach and a Redshank in the River .
Med Gull

Redshank

04 November, 2013

A good variety in the patch this morning, in what turned out to be a glorious day, the highlight being a  Merlin, east over bread lane at 10:00 Totals for the day are, 1 Buzzard, 1 Firecrest, 3 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Stonechat, 1 Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 5 Goldcrest,   50 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 30 Pied Wagtail, 130 Goldfinch, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 7 Grey Partridge, 1 Redshank, 20w Sanderling, 6w Brent Geese, and  5 Med Gull.

Meadow Pipit

Wheatear

Grey Wagtail

02 November, 2013

Very quiet in and around West Beach mid morning, with 2 Stonechat, 12 Meadow Pipit, 1w Med Gull, 4w Brent Geese.  At Longwood behind the Mill Cottages, 2-3 Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Grey Partridge in the fields plus 2 Goldcrest First Wood.

28 October, 2013

A Pallas's Warbler at Atherington Pools this morning, seen intermittently and still present at 15:00 at least per Birdguides.

27 October, 2013

In the very blustery conditions this morning, no sign of the Yellow-Browed Warbler at Atherington, although the Firecrest was still present. A single Firecrest at the Mill with 4 Chiffchaff, in the area, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Siskin over 20 Goldfinch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Skylark, 1Song Thrush 1 Jay, and 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Great-crested Grebe and a single Med Gull offshore.

26 October, 2013

Yellow-Browed Warbler at Atherington this morning  associating with Long-tailed Tit flock at 09:40. At least 6 Firecrest in the area 3 Longwood, 1Ath Pools, and 2 First wood. 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2w Swallow 1 Blackcap, and 2 Little Egret were the only records of note in very windy conditions.

22 October, 2013

Records for Sunday 20th - Out late after a heavy night sea watching from the car park produced 350w Gannet, 1w Diver spa, 2w Shelduck, 1w Razorbill, 2w Brent Geese, 10w Pintail, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 4 Great-crested Grebe offshore.

18 October, 2013

No sign of any Yellow-Browed Warblers, but lots of Birds on the move this morning mainly moving in an easterly direction with 5 Crossbill flying north west from the bottom of Longwood. 1 Brambling over, also 30 Siskin, 200 Goldfinch, 6 Redwing, c100 Meadow Pipit in fields north of the horse field, 65 Swallow, 13 House Martin, 2 Firecrest First Wood, 7 Chiffchaff, 20 Skylark, 6 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Buzzard,1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine on the tower 1 Little Egret, Water Rail heard from the reedbed and 7 Grey Partridge. Offshore 1e Razorbill, 2w Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Great-crested Grebe and small number of Gannet drifting both east and west.

17 October, 2013

The run of Yellow-Browed Warbler in the patch continued with 2 seen at Atherington Pools this morning up and until 10:30 at least. Combined totals include 3 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Swallow, 8 Siskin, 3 Redpoll,  4 Stonechat, c170 Meadow Pipit , 17 Pied Waghtail, 22 Skylark, 2 Sparrowhawk, 65 Turnstone 20w Brent Geese and a couple of Gannets moving offshore

16 October, 2013

Yellow-Browed Warbler seen and heard briefly at the Mill today also 2 Firecrest, 1 First Wood 1 Mill and Tawny Owl present. 2 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Siskin, 3 Skylark,  3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 6 Swallow, 3 Grey Heron, 7 Grey Partridge, and a Song Thrush was the rest of todays totals.

15 October, 2013

1 Yellow-Browed Warbler, seen form the corner of Climping Car Park by the metal gate at 16:15 per Bird Guides, also 15 Chiffchaff, 8e Swallow, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Stonechat, with small numbers of Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches, and Linnets moving overhead.

13 October, 2013

Combined totals for today before the rain set in include, no Ouzels but plenty of Blackbirds and some Song Thrushes, 20 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, and singles of Kingfisher,  Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Stonechat, Wheatear, Little Owl and 3 Swallows. The patch seems to playing games with us at the moment, must be something good in the offing?
 

12 October, 2013

Out again mid afternoon covering the fields north of the golf course, can't compete with Seaford or Hastings but 1 Ring Ouzel by the old train carriages, a Tawny Owl calling from First Wood, a Peregrine hunting over the fields, also 1 Stonechat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Little Egret and 3 Grey Heron.
Very quiet in the patch this morning with no sign of the recent Yellow-Browed Warbler.  Most of the chiffchaffs seem to have departed with only 9 recorded. 7 Grey Partridge in the horse paddock, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 3 Swallow 2 Blackcap and 25 Meadow Pipit were the only highlights.

11 October, 2013

The Yellow-Browed Warbler still present around Atherington Pools this morning and then early afternoon from the street high in sycamores. Calling and seen more often, but generally still elusive.
2 Raven flew east over Climping street and then seen again over Bailiffscourt, 1Wheatear on the beach, a Stonechat in the horse field and 14 Chiffchaff in the area.

10 October, 2013

The Yellow-Browed Warbler seen and heard several times this morning at Atherington Pools and in tree tops opposite the entrance to Bailiffscourt, but still proving generally elusive. 1 Redstart and 1 Wheatear in the area today and c100 Redwing moving west.

09 October, 2013

The Yellow-Browed Warbler seen and heard a few times this morning although remained generally elusive. 1 Yellowhammer at the Fort and 1 Rock Pipit with 12 Meadow Pipit feeding on sea weed at West Beach. 9 Wheatear,  8 Stonechat, 30 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting, 1w Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk and small parties of Swallow in the area.

08 October, 2013

 
 Firecrest Long Wood

Stonechat West Beach

No sign of the Yellow-Browed Warbler at Long Wood this morning although 2 Firecrest  present, but one seen high in treetops opposite the entrance to Bailiffscourt. Looked for my a number of birders but not seen since about 11:30. 1 Hobby seen late afternoon over the car park, good number of Chiifchaff present today with at least over 50 in the area, 4 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear along West Beach. 2 Whitethroat, 5 Reed Bunting, 15 Blackcap, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Siskin, 15 Skylark, c100 Linnet, 1 Little Owl and 3e 1w Sandwich Tern.

Late report of a Merlin seen on Friday and Monday 7th in fields north of the golf course.

07 October, 2013

A Yellow-Browed Warbler seen at the start of Long Wood, behind the mill cottages this morning but not seen since 09:20. Also today 1 Firecrest also in long wood, 2 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 4 Siskin, 46 Blackcap, 32 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Jay and 3 Curlew.

Sightings for Sat 5th Oct - Late afternoon visit to Climping produced singles of Redstart, Whitethroat, Little Owl, Reed Warbler, and Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail and several of both Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

Marsh Farm Sat Morning
50 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard only, 26 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Bullfinch c200 Linnet, c75 Pied Wagtail, 4 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk,  4 Yellowhammer, 2 Jay, and c200 Black-headed Gull.

Spotted Fly Bailiffscourt

Wheatear Atherington

Stonechat Campsite
 

02 October, 2013

Took a stroll around black ditch this afternoon with 2 Whinchat, 2 Spot Fly, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Red-Legged Partridge, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 32 Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, and several of Yellowhammer, Blackcap, and Chiffchaff.

Offshore from the car park this morning not very active with only 12w Brent Geese, 2w Pintail, 1w Med Gull, 3w Sandwich Tern, 1w 2e Gannet, and 2w Little Egret. In and around the bushes 36 Chiffchaff, 11 Whitethroat, 21 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Whinchat, singles of Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Yellow Wagtail, and Wheatear, 6 Grey Partridge, 4 Jay 15 Pied Wagatil, 40 Greenfinch and c300 Meadow Pipit in fields at the bottom of long wood.

01 October, 2013

Disappointing in the patch this morning with 2 Wheatear, singles of Grey and Yellow Wagtail, 40 Blackcap, 22 Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk,  and 7 Skylark. Still good numbers of Swallow and Meadow Pipit moving east, 15 Pied Wagtail on the golf course and 25 Linnet in the vegetated shingle West Beach.

Yesterday a Firecrest in 1st wood back of the golf course.

29 September, 2013

Saturday an incomplete tour but the following noted;

Kingfisher 2
Chiffchaffs 10
Blackcap 8
Skylark 6
Peregrine 2
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Song thrush 2
Reed Bunting 4
Yellow Wag 18
Grey Wag 2
Grey Partridge 8
Pied Wag 30
Meadow Pipit 200+
Linnet 150+
Swallow 100s!
House Martin 40+
Carrion Crow 105

Sunday, not much going on on the land so spent 45 mins sea watching, turned out to be rather good with the highlight being;

Great Skua (juv) 1E
Brent Geese 140 E 7 W
SandTtern 1
Gannet 20+ mainly W
Oystercatcher 24
Turnstone 1
Sanderling 1
Common Scoter 3E
Swallows 300+
House martins 50+
Yellow Wags 14 E
Pied Wags 50 E
Skylark 12E
Little Egret 3
Peregrine 1
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Blackcap 5
Chiffchaffs 10
Whitethroat 3

28 September, 2013

Records for Friday 27th  - A quick trip around the patch produced;

Chiffchaff 40
Linnet 200
Meadow Pipit 200
Pied Wag 50
Greenfinch 20
Blackcap 10
Yellow Wag 12
Brent Geese 8
Buzzard 2
Whitethroat 8
Kestrel 2
Peregrine 2

26 September, 2013

Sea-watch from the car park this morning produced 1e Juv Little Gull, 114w 4e Brent Geese, 7e 2w Teal, 9w Wigeon, 3e Sandwich Tern, 9 Med Gull, and 3 Little Egret. Large numbers again of Swallow moving east throughout the morning and lesser numbers of House Martin and Meadow Pipits. Very quiet elsewhere with just 20 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Buzzard, 2 Jay and a Little Owl.

25 September, 2013

Bird of the day was a Turtle Dove, seen at the back of the golf course and then flew west,  also 1 Spot Fly and 1 Whinchat there. Good numbers of Blackcap and Chiffchaff seen in the bushes around the patch, also 4 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser  Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Siskin, 3 Yellow Wagtail 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Stonechat, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, and c100 Meadow Pipit. Offshore 41w Wigeon, 28w Brent Geese, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit with 15 Grey Plover, 3 Little Egret, 3e Sandwich Tern and 1w Med Gull.

23 September, 2013

A stroll around the  golf course this evening produced 2 Spot Fly, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 1e Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Kingfisher,  and 5 Med Gull.
 
Spotted Flycatcher Golf Course
Good variety in the patch this morning with 4 Whinchat in fields north of the golf course,  along with 2 Redstart, 3 Spot Fly, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Wheatear, 10 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 60 Linnet, c300 Meadow Pipit, nearby.  Also today 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, c500 Swallow through this morning with small numbers of House Martin and 3e Sandwich Tern offshore.

Whinchat


Redstart

22 September, 2013

Late visit to the patch produced 3 Avocet east at 10:42 and 2e 2w Sandwich Tern. Large numbers of Swallow moving east late morning, at least a couple of thousand . The Little Owl Showed well at Bailiffscourt, also 1 Spot Fly and 1 Willow Warbler in the area, 1 Reed Warbler, 17 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat, 10 Chiifchaff and a single Buzzrad was the best of the rest.

19 September, 2013

Records for Yesterday 18/09/2013 - include 35 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 25 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Wheatear, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Skylark, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, c80 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 2 Song Thrush 8 Sandwich Tern and a single Common Scoter offshore.

17 September, 2013

Variety in the patch today in the form of 2 Spot Fly, 30 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail,  8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat,  9 Wheatear, 20 Meadow Pipit, 100 Linnet, 1 Jay, 4 Green Woodpecker,  singles of  Kingfisher,  Kestrel,  Sparrowhawk, Peregrine,  Buzzard, Little Egret,  9e Sandwich Tern, 1e Common Tern, 42 Cormorant on the river entrance, small numbers of Swallow and smaller numbers of House Martin and Sand Martin.

Yesterday singles of  Little Owl, Spot Fly Bailiffscourt, and Reed Warbler. Still good numbers of Chiffchaff in the patch 7 Blackcap and 5 Wheatear.

16 September, 2013

Not a lot going on at Climping this morning 1 Spot Fly, 1 Little Owl Bailiffscourt, 5 Little Egret roosting at Atherington Pools, 4 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat  1 Reed Warbler, 25 Chiffchaff and 30 House Martin.

Sunday 15th Sept - Busy period offshore for an hour or so when the wind picked up produced 7w Black Tern  2w 11:55 3w 12:00 and 2w 12:05 1w Avocet 11:45 1w Auk sp, 2w Sandwich Tern, 13e 2w Med Gull, 3w 1e Gannet, 3w Curlew, 7w Sanderling, and 5e Dunlin. Around the bushes 3 Spot Fly, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 30 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and several Meadow Pipits on the move.

10 September, 2013

Still good numbers of common migrants this morning with 26 Willow Warbler, 16 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler and several of both Linnet and Meadow Pipit in the vegetated shingle at West Beach. A flock of 30 Sand Martin flew high east at Atherington and later a mixed flock of mainly House Martin flew west
hawking over the sand dunes.

Bailiffscourt  produced singles of Redstart, Spot Fly, Little Owl and Buzzard, also 2 Jay there. The best of the rest being 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Grey Partridge, 8 Med Gull, 2 Little Egret and 5e Sandwich Tern.

Willow Warbler

Whinchat West Beach

Wheatear West Beach

Spotted Flycatcher Bailiffscourt

Blue Hawker




Records for Sun 8th Sept
Peregrine 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Grey Heron 2
Green Woodpecker 3
Chiffchaff 6
Willow Warbler 7
Whitethroat 28
Blackcaps 20
Reed Warbler 10
Sedge Warbler 2
Lesser Whitethroat. 1
Garden Warbler 1
Spotted Flycatcher 2
Reed Buntings 8
Little Owl 1
Sand Martins 30
Swallow 20
Wheatear 2
Redstart 2
Shelduck 3W
Oystercatchers 45W
Med gull 10

07 September, 2013

Very quiet in the blustery conditions at Climping this morning. 2 Spotted Fly at the Mill, 1 Common Sandpiper on the river, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 9 Grey Partridge, 13 Med Gull and small numbers of Whitethroat. Offshore 9w 4e Gannet.

06 September, 2013

Records for the Thurs 5th Sept - 5 Whinchat, 2 Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Blackcap, 3 chiffchaff 1 Sparrowhawk and still good numbers of Common Whitethroat in the patch.

02 September, 2013

Very quiet in the patch today, with no sign of yesterdays Wood Warbler, combined numbers for a well worked patch this morning are 1 Hobby, 2 Redstart, 1 Little Owl, 22 Willow Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 13 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawk and c30 Med Gull.
Sunday 1st Sept - A Wood Warbler in an elderberry bush at the entrance to Bailiffscourt at 0915, but not since, also 2 Spotted Fly and a Garden Warbler there.

Other birds of note were;
Reed warbler 3
Willow warbler 8
Whitethroat 14
Reed buntings 9
Wheatear 8
Blackcap 3
Redstart 3
Whinchat 4
Spotted fly 3
Yellow wagtail 4
Garden warbler 1
Little owl 1
Sparrow hawk 2
Buzzard 1
Swallow 20
Great spotted woodpecker 1
Green woodpecker 1

31 August, 2013

Very slow going this morning with 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Spotted Fly, 1 Garden Warbler, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Wheatear, 10 Whitethroat,  3 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 9 Sand martin and c60 Med Gull around poole place.

30 August, 2013

Combined totals for today include 1 Hobby flying west over the mill,  2 Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whinchat, 17 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler, 9 Yellow Wagtail,  7 Reed Bunting, 24 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 75 Linnet,  2 Buzzard, 14 Sanderling 1 Little Egret, and 3 Grey Heron.

Yesterday c100 Med Gull in ploughed field and 1 Tree Pipit flew over.

28 August, 2013


No sign of the possible SYKES'S this morning and through the night after several pictures scrutinised, most observers seem to think the bird was a BOOTED WARBLER either way a new bird for the patch.

Brief look in first and longwood produced, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Redstart, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, and a Little-ringed Plover amongst the the various waders on the beach, and a brief view obtained of a possible WRYNECK on the west end of golf course footpath.
27th Aug 2013 - With good numbers of commoner migrants on site,
4 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 3 Spotted Fly, 3 Garden Warbler, 12  Blackcap, 38 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 28 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler, c200 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Little Owl, 1 Buzzard, 3 Jay, 1 Reed Bunting, 40 Greenfinch, 40 Goldfinch, 100 Linnet, 2 Peregrine, 2 Common Sandpiper, and 2w  Ruff.

Inevitably there had to be something of scarcity value in the patch. But me being the extreme optimistic that I am could not have for tailed the events that unfolded.  I received a text from a friend at 11:28 that a possible SYKES'S WARBLER had been seen in the tamerisk on Climping Beach. At work, unable to leave and wouldn't be home until 06:00, I had to endure the wait and hoped the bird would stay . Knowing the scarce vegetation on the beach, and the many dog walkers that use it, I was not that hopeful. With constant updates that the bird was still showing,  although elusive at times it was still present when I arrived at 06:35. Flight views obtained it eventually settled in the bottom of a tamerisk bush giving good views, if only briefly.


26 August, 2013

Good coverage in the patch this morning with 1 Little-ringed Plover, 3 Tree Pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Garden Warbler, 30 Yellow Wagtail, 30 Willow Warbler, 7 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 8 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kingfisher and several Sand Martin.

25 August, 2013

Combined totals for today include 5 Whinchat in the area, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in Bailiffscourt, 14 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 30 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 15 Willow Warbler, 17 Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk, large number of mixed flock of mainly House Martins moving east,  6 Little Egret, 40 Med Gull, 8w Teal 10w Common Tern, and 29w 5e Gannet.

Spotted Flycatcher Bailiffscourt

24 August, 2013

Out before the rain this morning but did get caught when it came down, and did it come down. Covered half the field north behind the golf course and produced 1 Peregrine, 8 Yellow Wagatil moving west, 1 Whinchat, 5 Reed Bunting, c40 Linnet and a couple of Whitethroat.
Swallow Athertington

One of several Yellow Wagtail

In the horse field

off Bread Lane

Friday 23rd Aug - 1 Whinchat on the beach off the car park, 1 Redstart and 1 Lesser Whitethroat  in the horse paddock,  38 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Wheatear, 10 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, c60 Swallow, 16 Med Gull, 10 Sand Martin and small numbers of both Gannet and Sandwich Tern offshore.

22 August, 2013

Out in the rain this morning hopeful of  some goodies, highlights being a Hobby flying west from Bailiffscourt,  2 Redstart from the horse paddock and a Spotted Flycatcher there. Good numbers of Swallow moving mainly east through the morning and 38 Sand Martin. In and around the hedges 13 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Garden Warbler, 14 Wheatear, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 32 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Partridge, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Med Gull, 1 Buzzard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Redshank and 2 Peregrine on the gas tower.


Records for the 20th 25 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Reed Warbler, 15 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 18 Wheatear, 20 Swallow, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting, 30 Linnet, 3e Sandwich Tern and 2 Little Owl.

19 August, 2013

Sightings today in the patch include 30 Willow Warbler, 8 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, small numbers of Sand Martin and a Kingfisher.

17 August, 2013


Offshore at Climping Beach this morning c30e Common Scoter, 1w Fulmar, 1w Whimbrel, small numbers of Gannet moving east and west and 1e Swift. On the tideline 41 Ringed Plover with 2 Dunlin 7 Sanderling and 1 Little Egret, In the fields 1 Whinchat top field north of the golf course, 6 Wheatear, 9w Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler, 12 Whitethroat, and 4 Willow Warbler 1 Grey Partridge, Grey Heron and a Sparrowhawk.




Whinchat
 


Wheatear

Friday 16/8 -  1 Little Owl, 2 Grey Partridge, 20 Sand Martin moving west at Bailiffscourt, and several of both Whitethroat and Willow Warbler.

14 August, 2013


Wheatear
Combined totals for today include 2 Wheatear, 12 Willow Warbler, 20 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Grey Partridge, 1w Whimbrel, 2e Common Tern, 3 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk and 15 Med Gull in fields with Black-headed Gull.

10 August, 2013

Big improvement on the quality today with 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Whinchat, 20 Whitethroat, 15 Willow Warbler, 15 Sand Martin, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Little Owl, and a Sparrowhawk.

Yesterday produced 88w 29e  Gannet, 1w Fulmar, 5 Little Egret and 9 Med Gull.

08 August, 2013

Kestrel Climping Aug 2013
Quieter in the patch over the last couple of days with small numbers of Willow Warbler with about 15 still in the area. 10 Reed Warbler, with small numbers of Blackcap and Chiffchaff present. Whitethroat continue to be present in good numbers in varying plumages. 2 Peregrine on the gas tower this morning and a Sparrowhawk  over the last couple of days having a go at the growing number of  finches. 20 Sand Martin drifted east yesterday morning from bread lane and just a few Swift this morning. Very quiet offshore with small numbers of Dunlin and Sanderling on the incoming tide, 3 Little Egret and a couple of both Common and Sandwich Tern.

06 August, 2013

Had a stroll around Black Ditch this evening, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Sandpiper and 1 Buzzard being the highlights.

Quick visit to Marsh Farm this afternoon produced 4 Little and a single Great-crested Grebe, 2 Bullfinch, several Blackcap and Willow Warbler, and good numbers of Reed Warbler.

Combined totals for the morning include at least 30 Willow Warbler in the area, c100 Swift drifting from Climping School towards the golf course and 6 Wheatear there, also good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler, 5 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, and 1 Grey Heron Very quiet offshore with small numbers of Common and Sandwich Tern and a couple of distant Gannet.



14 July, 2013

At Climping beach early morning on a flat calm sea several Gannet lingering offshore, 1 Med Gull at Poole Place and 1 moving west, 4e Dunlin, 3 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern and 10 Sandwich Tern.

29 June, 2013

Quick visit to the patch this morning produced c.70 Swift moving west over Atherington Cottages, offshore low numbers of both Gannet and Sandwich Tern, 5 Little Egret on the tideline and a Common Sandpiper.

Common Sandpiper
Little Egret

28 June, 2013

Took a quick visit to Marsh Farm Thursday morning, still plenty of Reed Warbler, singing along with several Blackcap, 2 Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe on the pools, 3 Buzzard in the area and 25 Sand Martin moving through west.
 
Buzzard

Reed Warbler