Peregrine on the gas meter today and still 1 Waxwing in the area there, also 1 in  Peregrine Rd Littlehampton. 

In a biiter E/SE wind this morning a few diehards decided to put in a few hours seawatching. 18e 48w Red Throated Diver, 400w 25e Wigeon, 13e Gannet, 5e Teal, 4w Shelduck, 5 Brent Geese, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Snipe, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Waxwing near the gasmeter at Littlehampton train station.

Had a mooch about the golf course this morning in the cold weather, producing the following, 4 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 45 Grey Plover, 30 Sanderling, 30 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, 30 Redwing, 1 Woodcock, 4 Grey Partridge, 200 Skylark, 1 Goldcrest,1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk and 12e Wigeon

Very quite at the patch today with only 1 Firecrest and 1 Woodcock birds of note, offshore 1w Shelduck and 2e Red T Diver, with  a further 4e Diver sp, and several of Sanderling Dunlin and Grey Plover on the shoreline.

31 Waxwing in trees south of the footbridge by Angmering station mid morning, onto Marsh farm with 42 Teal 20 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 3 Pochard, 3 Water Rail, 1 Sparrowhawk and several of the following, Fieldfare, Redwing, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting and 1 Grey Heron.

A lucky observer getting out of his car had a Marsh Harrier coming in off the sea at Climping this morning, also today offshore 6E Red Throated Diver, 20 Med Gullin the area, 1E Goldeneye, several of both Great C Grebe, and Red B Mergansers, 60+ Sanderling, 1 Bar T Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 16 Grey Plover, Peregrine over the car park and a female Bullfinch.

2 Goldeneye,  Poole Place which promptly took flight and headed West.  A total of 55 Med Gulls were logged on the sea and along the shoreline.  On the sea were 5 Eider, 4 Mallard and 4 Teal, plus a Tufted Duck and 8 distant Red-throated Divers E and 2 Lapwings W. In Bailiffscourt woods there were few small birds around, but 3 Woodcocks were found, and nearby 2 Snipe (though surprisingly no Jack Snipe despite several suitable unfrozen spots). Also 1 Rock Pipit and 5 Song Thrushes.

3rd Dec. 2010
300 Brent Geese flew back and forth, flocks of Meadow Pipits and several hundred Skylarks were arriving from the sea or coasting, and flocks of duck and waders were moving W offshore (some too distant to ID). However, of those that were identifiable, I logged 58 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 32 Tufted, 45 Pochard, 1 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin, 24 Redshank and 1 Knot. A single Bar-tailed Godwit dropped in on the beach as did 3 Snipe, 5 Grey Plover and 60 Sanderling. A dumpy bunting landed on the beach was a LAPLAND BUNTING (which eventually flew off W then back E).  At 14.30 a flock of 10 WHOOPER SWANS coming in over the rock islands. They looked superb as they flew in NW, set against

Two Black Redstarts were showing well along the sea wall/beach at Climping car park this morning, and 4 Firecrests were located in the Atherington area.

A flock of 120 Brent Geese was in the fields, including a good number of juveniles and an odd adult with a notably pale grey mantle (so perhaps the one in similar plumage sometimes reported from Pagham Harbour?) At least 100 Goldfinches and 15 Siskin passed through, and other bits and pieces included 11 Grey Partridge, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine and 30 Meadow Pipits.

Pretty quiet at Climping mid morning with the best being 2 Firecrest,1 Chiffchaff, and a couple of Goldcrest. Siskin and Redpoll both heard still at Atherington and 1 Buzzard being mobbed by crows. Offshore 3w Shelduck, 4 Red B Mergs, and 100 Brent Geese on the sea before flying off west. A flock of about 30 Linnet and 1 Redshank in the setaside, and good numbers of Meadow Pipit on the beach

Golf Course

Nice sunny cold morning was spent walking around the golf course which was partly closed because of the flooding,  produced singles of the following, Short E Owl,  Dartford Warbler,  Kingfisher,  Fieldfare,  Water Rail, Stonechat, Lapwing, Jay, and Grey Heron. Other birds of note included 6  Brent Geese, 4 Grey Partridge, 3 Redpoll, 12 Siskin, 3 Golcrest and at least 1000 Wood Piegeons moving nw.

Also in the patch today 3 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Brent Goose and 1 Redshank at Climping.

Started the day on beach which was fairly slow with only 2 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull close inshore, 3w Gannet, 3 Great C Grebe, 2e Brent Geese and 1e Red B Merganser. Better luck inlnad with 1 Firecrest with Long T Tits at Atherington, 2 Brambling high in the trees down the street, and a flyover Redpoll. The best of the rest being 8 Goldcrest, 2 Great S Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 2 Grey Partridge.

A Merlin reported flying in off the sea at 0730 this morning was the 3rd record this autumn for this lucky observer.

Walk around the golf course course again this morning produced a bit of excitement in the form of a Lesser Whitethroat, also 1 Firecrest, 2 Peregrine on the tower, 8 Redpoll, 6 Goldcrest, 30 Siskin, 50+ Linnet, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Stonechat, 1 Buzzard, 1 Little Egret and 1 Grey Heron.

1 Black Redstart and 2 Blackcap with several Goldcrest reported on the 31/10/10

Walk around the farm in the rain this morning with a good selection of wildfowl on the big pool, with 24 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, also,1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Lapwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Goldcrest,1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and several each of Siskin, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.

In lovely bright cold morning talk a walk around the golf course and was lucky enough to flush a Short E Owl and a Dartford Warbler from the gorse.  Also 2 Blackcap 1st wood, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 12 Siskin moving east with small groups of Goldfinch, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk and still about 75 Linnet in the field north of the golf course.

West Beach

Quick walk around west beach this morning very quiet other then the following records, 1 Kingfisher, 1w Red T Diver, 2w Gannet, 1 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap 1 Treecreeper, and 150 Linnet.

Lovely blue sky but bit cold indicated to me that there would not be lot about, but totals included 12e Siskin with still plenty of small flocks of Goldfinch moving east. 20 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Mistle Thrush, 1 little Owl, 5 Grey Partridge, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 23e Swallow, 15w Brent Geese and 3 Great C Grebe offshore.

15/10 - 2 Peregrine on the gas tower, 11 Chiffchaff, 125 single flock of Linnet in field north of golf course, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk, 17e Swallow, and 5 Razorbill offshore.

A slow stream of mostly Goldfinces continued through the morning, only a couple of Siskin heard overhead. About 18 Chiffchaff still in the area with 2 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 4 Grey Partridge, 3 Buzzard and a couple of Swallow.

A stroll around the farm this morning produced nothing out of the ordinary in a brisk  ENE breeze but a good selection of birds. 50 Lapwing, 8 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Yellowhammer, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap 3 Jay, 1 Sparrowhawk and 15 Siskin.

9th Oct - 1 Short E  Owl flying low around the sand dunes this morning, also 1 Hobby there. Supporting cast included 2 Sparrowhawk, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting, 35+ Siskin, 2 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Jay and 1 Golden Plover.


8th Oct - 4 Mediterranean Gull close inshore 1 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 12 Chiffchaff,  4 Blackcap and a Peregrine on the gas tower early morning.

A bit of variety this morning at Climping, the best being a brief Ring Ouzel, and a nice White Wagtail in the horse compound. The most obvious feature was the eastward movement of Goldfinch flocks; a total of 1200 streamed through in the first 3 hours, and at least 170 Siskins did likewise (many in mixed flocks). Other visible migration included at least 25 Pied/alba Wagtails, 2 Redpolls, 25 Skylarks, 100 Linnets and 120 Meadow Pipits. The bushes held 15 Chiffchaffs and 5 Blackcaps, and other sightings included 2 Sandwich Terns, a Kingfisher, 9 Grey Partridge and a single Golden Plover which dropped in to settle in a field

30/09/10  Another afternoon stroll around the patch produced 10 Wheatear 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 12 Chiffchaff 6 Blackcap. Reports from earlier in the day produced a Short E Owl near the mill, 1 Little Owl, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, more in number of both Blackcap, Chiffchaff  and 1Reed Warbler.

29/09/10  A bit of a late start at Climping after the rain, and things started slowly with just a few Chiffchaffs and 120 Meadow Pipits. Then I noticed the local crows having a go at a 'raptor' over Bailiffscourt - but a proper look showed it was in fact a Raven, a long overdue patch tick! The bird performed well for several minutes before moving off; then further bush-bashing proved unproductive, before too late I realised there was some movement taking place over the sea. Climping is often not the best sea-watching spot as stuff passing can be distant, however today most visible passage was taking place very close in. I managed to get in over 2 hours (until noon) when totals were: Wigeon 146W, Common Scoter 3E, Teal 3W, Curlew 3W, Whimbrel 1W, Brent Goose 300W, Arctic Skua 1E, Great Skua 1E, Black Tern 1, Commic Tern 2 and Sandwich Tern 4 . (Also a call from Paul Bowley saying he'd had a ringtail Hen Harrier here on Mon 27th).om

Quick stroll around the patch this afternoon very quite in the wind with still plenty of mainly Swallows moving. 30 Meadow Pipits still in the unploughed field with 1 Grey Heron. Offshore 70+ Brent Geese moving west close inshore, 3w Red B Mergansers, 2 Sandwich Tern and 2 Little Egret.

28/09/10 -  Good numbers of Chiffchaff still in the area 6 Blackcap and 2 Spotted Flycatcher around the hotel.

Late stroll around the farm this evening produced 2 Cett's Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 2-3 Buzzard, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Tufted Duck,  2 Teal, 30 Lapwing and several Yellowhammer.

An Osprey seen over west beach and flying low west was a nice suprise this morning, also today 70+ Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Garden Warbler, 35 Wheatear, 8 Whitethroat, 250+ Meadow Pipits in small flocks moving west, 3 Tree Pipits, 12 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Chiffchaff, and 1 Buzzard,


15/09/2010
1 Hobby seen chasing Meadow Pipits from bread lane was a terrific sight this morning, 30+ Yellow Wagtail, 37  Wheatear, 2-3 Whinchat, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap and 1 Jay. Offshore 4w Gannet and 1 Grey Heron.

Quick stroll around the farm this evening produced 2 Hobby, 1 Cetti's warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 40 Lapwing, 75 Canada Geese on the big pool, and 1 Buzzard.

Fewer birds than yesterday and numbers diminished as the morning wore on, but still a plenty to check. Day started with a Peregrine on the gas tower, 2-3 Sparrowhawk in the area, with good numbers of House Martin early morning. 1 Juv Cuckoo being chased around by the local corvids, passerine numbers still good with 45+ Wheatear, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 30 Whitethroat, 150+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 4 Grey Wagtail, 35 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 25 Blackcap, 2 Buzzard, 5w Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 1w Common Tern and 5 Grey Heron.

Alive with birds at Climping in the rain this morning with a steady stream of hirundine moving east. Highlights being 1 Hobby west,  1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipits, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 5 Whinchat, 2 Redstart, 1 Lesser Whitetroat, 100+ Yellow Wagtail, 8 Grey Partridge, 10 Willow Warbler, 15 Wheatear, good numbers of both Blackcap and Whitethroat. Noted about 8E Sandwich Tern and a Little Egret on the beach.

Climping Gap

Just a couple of hours around Atherington this morning, but the clear skies meant migrant numbers were as anticipated fairly low. Plenty of Swallows and Sand Martins were on the move, and 20 Yellow Wagtails plus 100 Linnets were in the fields, with 4 Spotted Flycatchers nearby at Bailiffscourt. The rest was all standard fare really; about 15 Common Whitethroats, the odd Lesser Whitethroat and a handful of Blackcaps etc, with a couple of Sandwich Terns offshore.

1 Green Sandpiper around the farm this evening, with 2 Buzzards 2 Sparrowhawk, 20 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 75 Lapwing, a couple of Yellow Wagtail calling overhead and good numbers of Swallows over the main pool.

Climping this morning produced 6 Med Gull, 20 Yellow Wagtail, and good numbers of Swallows moving east with at least 30 Sand Martin. At least 2 Redsarts in the area along with 11 Wheatear, 15 Whitethroat and several of both Blackcap and Chiffchaff present. 4 Sanderling on the beach and 6 Sandwich Tern feeding along the shore line.

A Peregrine on the Gas Tower at 1030 this morning, Singles of both Green and Common Sandpiper around the farm with 1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk. Several of both Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff, with 15 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, and 2 Sand Martin. Onto the patch where the Hoopoe wast still present,  also 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Fem/imm Merlin, 70 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Whitethroats, 20 Willow warblers and 90 Linnets

The Hoopoe still present at 0930 but elusive this morning, also 1 Whinchat, 2 Redstart, 1 Swift, several Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret and 5 Curlew.

HOOPOE which flushed from near the bungalows, settled briefly for a record shot, then flew towards the horse paddock and out of sight. Also in the area, Redstart - 9, Yellow Wagtail - 80W, Chiffchaff - 12, Willow Warbler - 45, Reed Warbler - 6, Sedge Warbler - 2, Lesser Whitethroat - 7, Whitethroat - 25, Wheatear - 24, Blackcap - 10, Garden Warbler - 4, Tree Pipit - 2, Grey Wagtail - 3 and Sand Martin - 70.

An Osprey reported flying west about 1 mile out this morning at West Beach, 08.20 ish. Lucky to spot it (seawatching of sorts at the time). Also a few Wheatear and Whitethroat.

8 Mediterranean Gull flew out to sea from Bread Lane field this morning, also1 Redstart and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Bailiffscourt, and 1 Common Sandpiper on the River. Generally very quiet in the area with still small numbers of each of the common warblers around and lots of Juv Goldfinch present.

Very quiet at the Farm this afternoon with still 2-3 Green Sanpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, and 1 Little Grebe.

After being domestically committed for over a week, it was a relief to be out birding again this morning, so I decided on a trip down to the local patch. A Little Ringed Plover flying W and calling along the shingle beach was a surprise, but otherwise it was all fairly average; 20 Gannets W, 4 Sandwich Terns and a juv Med Gull offshore, 6 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, and about 6 each of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

4 Green Sandpiper, 1-2 Common Sandpiper,  3 Buzzard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail, and several of both Reed  and Willow Warbler.

Marsh Farm:  3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and several Reed Warblers around the pools.

Climping: 2 Redstart, around Baliffscourt, late morning also 1 Buzzard, several Blackcap and Whitethroat in the area with 3 Wheatear on the beach.

Climping Gap

2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Little Ringed Plover, nr A259 bridge between 0800 & 1100 this morning, also 15 Wheatear, 4 Garden Warbler, 1 Redsart, 20 Willow Warbler and a Peregrine.

3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover 1 Common Sandpiper, several of both Swallows and House Martin, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, and Whitethroat in good numbers and 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, and 1 Grey Heron make up the days totals.

1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, and 2 Common Sandpiper still present this morning, also 1 Buzzard, 2 Grey Heron, and  good numbers of  Yellowhammer, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Reed Warbler, with several small flocks of Swallow moving.

Still present today are 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper, also 3-4 Bullfinch, several of both Blackcap and Willow Warbler, and a flyover calling Whimbrel.

Quick walk around the farm late morning produced 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron and plenty of Willow Warbler.

2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Grey Heron, with good numbers of both Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. Also several Blackcap Reed and Sedge Warbler in the area.

Marsh Farm

Had a stroll around the farm this morning, still quite a few of the common warblers in song with at least 1 Cetti's. Plenty of Juvenile birds flying around, with at least a dozen Mistle Thrush. Best birds of the morning being 1 adult Hobby, 1 Juv Cuckoo, and 1 Common Sandpiper. Couple flyover Common Tern, plenty of Swift and Swallow still hawking for insects and 1 Buzzard being mobbed by corvids.

An hour from 0800 this morning produced a poultry return of only 8e 5w Gannet, 2e Fulmar, 8e Common Scoter, and 2 Sandwich Tern feeding offshore.

Marsh Farm

2-3 Cetti's Warbler still around the farm this morning also 1 Cuckoo heard, 1 Little Grebe, and  Only 1 Gadwall and 1 Tufted Duck on the big pool, with several of both Swifts and Swallows in the area. The only suprise this morning was  2 Common Terns feeding on the pool for about ten minutes then drifted off west. Good numbers of Reed Warbler and fewer Sedge still singing, 1 Red L Partridge 3 Buzzard, and 1 Sparrowhawk  bring up the days totals.

The three commoner species of Tern feeding close inshore this morning,  also1w Fulmar, some distant Common Scoter and Gannet moving but that was about it.Very slow in the patch at the moment but 3 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Soppted Fly at the Mill being the only other new birds of note.

10th May 2010

Late hour seawatch at Climping Beach from 1930 logged now after looking at the SOS website 12 Manx Shearwater flying low over east over the sea. Several Gannets moving mainly east offshore with at least 8 Little Tern fishing close in, and several Sandwich Tern. Also 5 Great C Grebe.

1 Spotted Flycatcher in Baliffscourt this afternoon, also good numbers of Swift moving east, 3 Wheatear in the horse field, 1 Reed Warbler, several Blackcap and a Peregrine on the gas tower at 1630.

At Marsh Farm this morning 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and a Cuckoo were the highlights along with several of each Reed, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat.

Three new birds of the spring this morning with a Nightngale calling from the back of 1st wood, a Turtle Dove flew across the golf course and Cuckoo in the area. No sign of the Red-necked Grebe this morning.

1st May 2009

Summer Plmmaged Red-necked Grebe offshore form Climping car park this morning

7 Common Sandpipers and 2 Whimbrel  from the river this afternoon.

Good selection of birds this morning and about time too. Sea watching from Climping Beach this  morning produced the highlight with 4 Long-Tailed Duck from the car park, also 1e Diver Sp, 14w 4e Gannet, 38e 8w Whimbrel,  2w Fulmar, 5e Brent Geese, 6e Sandwich Tern, 5e Commic Tern, 2w Mediterranean Gull, 2e Shelduck, 12 Red B Mergansers and 4 Great C Grebe. Inland 1 Red Kite drifted over pool place, 1 Whinchat, 5 Redstart, 20+ Whitethroat, 18 Wheatear, 5 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Buzzard, 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron,

Couple of hours down the patch late morning produced, 3 Whitethroat, 2 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, and 1 Jay, offshore 10e Whimbrel,1 Curlew, 28 Brent Geese on the sea, and  1 Great C Grebe.

Marsh Farm 17th April 2010

Hopefull of a good day but rather disappointed with the days totals of, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 13 Swallow, 6 Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Jay, 1 Buzzard, 2 Snipe, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, and 4 Grey Heron.

 A Raven  seen calling over Baliffscourt this morning being mobbed by gulls was a good record for the patch, also Med Gull – 2 E, R/b Merganser – 5 offshore, Great Crested Grebe – 7 offshore, Sandwich Tern – 4 E, Whimbrel – 1 E, Gannet – 2 E & 5 W, Shelduck – 2 W, Swallow – 3 N, Common Whitethroat – 1 (Golf course) Chiffchaff – 5, Blackcap – 5.

Quick walk around the golf course this morning produced 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, and 6 Mediterranean Gull calling flying west.

Had a stroll around the patch late afternoon, with a male Redstart and Little Owl in Baliffscourt, and 1 Wheatear in the horse field. Also 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Buzzard, 10 Sanderling and 1 Great C Grebe. Also Peregrine on the gas meter this afternoon.

Marsh Farm 13th April 2010

2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 10 Swallow, 5 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Common Tern, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Manderin, 2 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron and 1 Little Egret.

Marsh Farm

Had a good walk around the farm this morning and was rewarded with 2 Red Kites drifting high and west at 1100 this morning.  With 3 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, on the big pool. 3-4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch, 10 Yellowhammer, 7 Reed Bunting, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Swallow, 2 Jay, 2 Grey Partridge, 6 Buzzard, 2 Little Egret and 1 Grey Heron.

Very quiet offshore this morning with only 33e Brent Geese, 1w 2e Sandwich Tern, 2e Shelduck, and 6 Great C Grebe, also 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff,  2 Swallow, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Little Owl, 2 Jay 1 Goldcrest and 2 Sedge Warbler around the golf course.

Sea watch from 0800-0930 produced 24e Common Scoter, 1w Gannet, 2e 4w Sandwich Tern, 1w Mediterranean Gull, and 2e Fulmar, also 2 Grey Partridge, 4 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.

Quick walk around the Farm late morning produced 1 Peregrine, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 5 Swallow, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Little Egret and 1 Grey Heron.

Few more signs of spring this morning with at least 4 Cetti's Warbler calling from each corner of the main pool, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 12 Swallow 1 Sand Martin, 1Water Rail, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull flew calling south east, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 4 Buzzard, 1 Jay, 12 Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting and 6 Cormorant.

Walked around the Farm this morning until the rain brought an abrupt end to proceedings, but still produced, 12 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, at least 3 Cetti's Warbler in the area, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 12 Snipe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, and several Linnets.


1 Black Redstart at Atherington this evening.

1 Firecrest first wood, 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Snipe, 1 Red L Partridge, and 1 Sparrowhawk about the bushes.

Very quiet offshore this morning but quite a few expectant walking birders around making up the days totals, with at least 9 Firecrest still in the area, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 4 Grey Partridge, 50 Sanderling, and 4 Reed Bunting.

Firday 26th March

A total of 137 of Brent Geese flying east this morning, also 5w 2e Gannet, 3w Fulmar, 1w Sandwich Tern, 8w Common Scoter, 50w Sanderling, 11 Curlew, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Stonechat and 1 Reed Bunting.

Sea very slow this morning with only a couple of Fulmars heading west and 6 Brent Geese sitting on the sea, also  several of both Red B Mergansers and Great C Grebe. But the highlight of the morning being a flock of 8 Garganey and 2 Teal being spooked by a Peregrine, they briefly settled on the sea before moving off east. Supporting cast included 25 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Grey Partridge and 1 Reed Bunting.

Climping Beach

Very slow offshore late morning with only 1w Sandwich Tern, 115e Brent Geese, 2n Mediterranean Gull, 7e Common Scoter, 1w Wigeon, 30 Sanderling 3 Grey Plover, 30 Red B Mergansers, and 1 Great C Grebe.

Good numbers of Firecrest present this morning with at least 9 in the area. 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 1 Kingfisher  and  1 Grey Heron being the only other birds of note.

Marsh Farm

Lovely walk around the farm this morning with 1-2 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 3-6 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 18 Redwing, 1 Mediterranean Gull, several of both Reed Bunting and Yellowhammers, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Pochard, 7 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon and 3 Grey Heron.

At Climping 4 Firecrest and 4 Wheatear.

Horrible grey day but yet a few migrants about, winds also looked favourable but didn't produce the birds. 7 Wheatears, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Firecrest, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Lapwing, 1w Gannet, 1e Sandwich Tern, 2e Shelduck, 18e Brent Geese several Curlew still in Cudlow Field, and plenty of Red B Mergansers offshore.

At least 3 Firecrest at Atherington this morning as well as 1-2 in long wood, also at last at least 5 Wheatear around the patch this morning, along with 1 White Wagtail, 40 Curlew, 20 Grey Plover, 1 Bar T Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 45e Brent Geese, 2 Lapwing, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull and several of both Great C Grebe and Red B Mergansers offshore.

2 Firecrest longwood, 1 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting, 36 Curlew, 1 Bar T Godwit, 40 Grey Plover, 1 Little Egret and a Sparrowhawk was all I could muster today.

1 Firecrest still at Atherington late morning. 32 Curlew in cudlow field with 2 Lapwing, 3 Buzzards circling high over poole place, and single flock of 120+ Brent Geese moving east.

Lovely day on the beach this morning but no sign of any wheatears, 1 Bar T Godwit still in cudlow field along with 5 Grey Partridge, 24 Curlew and 1 Lapwing. offshore 1e Common Scoter, 30+ Red B Mergansers and 6 Great C Grebe. 2 Stonechat 1 Goldcrest and 2 more Grey Partridge made up the days totals.

2 Black Throated Diver on the sea at climping beach this morning, along with several of both Red B Mergansers and Great C Grebe. 1 Bar T Godwit, 4 Lapwing in cudlow field,  along with 22 Curlew. 25 Grey Plover in field south of long wood, and 1 Dunlin on the beach. Elsewhere 1 Firecrest at Atherington, 2 Buzzard Baliffscourt and 1 Jay.

West Beach

Still very quiet at Climping this morning the best birds being 1 Chiffchaff at the mill, 1 Peregrine flying around the gas tower, 24 Grey Plover and 5 Curlew in the fields, and a couple of Linnets in off the sea. Still a few Mergs and Great C Grebes offshore, and 1 Redshank on the river.

Yesterday there was a Firecrest Reed Bunting and a Treecreeper at Atherington and a lone Common Scoter offshore, also 1 Brent Goose still in the fields from bread lane.

Quick look at the patch this morning, with not a lot moving offshore 17e Brent Geese, and a few Great C Grebe, 27w Sanderling,  6 Grey Partridge in the setaside, 1 Firecrest still about the pools, 1 Stonechat, and 1 Little Egret around the horse field.

West Beach

Checking out the river mouth  in the hope of something different, did not materialise but lots of birds aound with 160+ Turnstone, 60 Oystercatcher, 40 Grey Plover, 8 Sanderling.Out of the cold wind and  into First Wood produced  2 Reed Bunting, 1 Firecrest, 3 Bullfinch and a Fieldfare.

Climping Gap

Today at the patch 2 Firecrest at the back of Baliffscourt, 2 Redwing, 1w Mediterranean Gull, 19w Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 1 Buzzard, 1 Reed Bunting and 5 Grey Partridge.

Late morning at Climping in a cold north westerly wind suprised to find hundreds and hundreds of Auks moving west. Some of the closer birds were Razorbill but most were to distant. 50w Gannet, several Diver sp moving along with good numbers of Red B Mergansers, and 12 Great C Grebe offshore. 1 Firecrest still at Atherington, 2 Buzzards, 1 Jack Snipe, 5 Grey Partridge and a Stonechat, made up the day count.

Started off at Marsh Farm this morning which held 50 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 7 Teal, and 8 Tufted Duck, also present were several of both Redwing and Fieldfare, as well  as Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer, also 1 Snipe and 1 Buzzard.

Onto Climping were 2 Firecrest seen at Baliffscourt, 3 Med Gull close offshore, several Red B Mergs, 4 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Bullfinch, 3 Redwing and 5 Grey Partridge

River

Had a walk up the river to Ford this afternoon in a  bright but cold day. 3 Bullfinch, 2 male behind the prison, 1 Chiffchaff behind the sewage works, 12 Teal on the pool, also 22 Redshank 5 lapwing, 1 Buzzard, 15 Redwing 6 Fieldfare, 1 Reed Bunting and 5 Grey Heron.

Had a quick look at the patch this morning looking very grey and quiet but did manage to see a few local birds. 1w 1e Mediterranean Gull, several Red B Mergansers offshore, 2e Shelduck, and 9 Brent Geese. 1 Stonechat on the beach, 1 Firecrest with the Long T Tit flock at Atherington, the Kingfisher still present by the pool, and 1 Sparrowhawk. Also Peregrine today roosting on the gas tower.

Marsh Farm

Nice to get around the flooded Farm in some nice weather at last, with a Cetti's Warbler heard from the bridge, 45 wigeon took flight from the flooded fields with several Teal. 13 Pochard on the big pool with one  Tufted Duck and 2 Gadwall. 4 Buzzard in the area,3 Grey Heron and plenty of Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. Small flocks of  both Fieldfare and Redwing roaming the bushes.

1 Black Brant with 700+ Brent Geese close inshore then flew into the fields, also 1 Woodcock  and 1 Grey Heron at Baliffscourt, and a Stonechat at the beach.

This morning at Climping in a dull grey damp day offshore, 6 Diver Sp 5e 1w,  2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Great C Grebe, and several Red b Mergs. In the fields 12 Brent Geese, 14 Lapwing, 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 25 Grey Plover, 1 Peregrine, 5 Feildfare, and still hundreds of Skylark around. 1 Kingfisher at Ath Pools and several Sanderling on the beach.

With the snow slowly thawing and not quite as cold as the last couple of days, i ventured  out onto the golf course. At least 5 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe and 12 Common Snipe, were flushed.  Also  1 Grey Heron and  still hundreds of Skylarks in the surrounding fields, and still good numbers of Fieldfare moving west and smaller numbers of Redwing. 18 Brent Geese in the field near bread lane and  1 Stonechat on the beach. Offshore 1e Red T Diver, 220 Wigeon off Climping beach, and several Red B Mergansers Feeding on the outgoing tide there were several Sanderling and 1 Reshank.

Still at least 2000 Sylark in the area today but could onle see 2 Woodlark. 3 Woodcock with one in off the sea. Still plenty of  flocks of mainly Fieldfare moving and smaller number of Redwing. A flock of 30 Linnet flew east along Climping Beach, and offshore a a flock  220 Wigeon were close inshore. Another flock of about 80 Wigeon flew west. Also 1e Gannet and 1w Red Throated Diver, 45 Brent Geese 2e shelduck and several small groups of Red B Mergansers on the sea. 12 Bewick Swans in the field north of the golf course, 6 adult, 2 showing yellow tags around their neck. Supporting cast being 1 Golden Plover, 15 Grey Plover,  6 Curlew, 20 Sanderling, 1 Buzzard and Grey Partridge heard from Ballifscourt, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Heron, and 5 Snipe.

Started out at Atherington at 0930 checking the flocks of Sylark that were in  the fields and must have had a least more than 1000 in the patch. Continued to see and hear 20 Woodlark, great views obtained but seen in some strange locations, seeing them on the beach in snow did not look right. Scanning the feilds from bread lane picked up 10 Bewick Swan 4 adult 6 Juvenile at the bottom of long wood.. Continued strolling around and got a call from Owen about a Great White Egret, flying east picked it up at climping car park. The best of the rest being 200+ Lapwing, 270 Feildfare, 75 Redwing, 30 Linnet, 30 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting,  5 Snipe 2 Jack Snipe, 15w 4e Brent Geese, 2 Golden Plover, 30 Grey Plover, Sanderling and several Red Breasted Mergansers offshore.

Knowing the Golf club would be shut I  ventured out into the snow. With blizzard like conditions blowing snow into my bino's did well to see the following. 3 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, on West Beach,  a total of 75 Redwing, 46 Fieldfare, moving west and some lingering on the golf course,  along with  7 flushed  Snipe, and 6 Golden Plover heading south east, and  a Water Rail calling from the reedbed. Also good numbers of Meadow Pipit feeding and many small flocks of flyover Skylarks.

13 Red B Mergansers offshore this morning but other than that the sea was dead. 1 Redshank on the beach with several Turnstones, 2 Jack Snipe out of the setaside this morning along with a Common Snipe. 1 Mediteranean Gull, flying over bread lane and 3 Grey Plover in the field.  The best of the rest being 1 Great S Wood, 15 Meadow Pipit,  1 Treecreeper and a Firecrest.

Happy New Year - 1st Jan 2010

1 Jack Snipe in the setaside this morning also 3 Stonechat, 1 Kingfisher, 50 Grey Plover and 12 Sanderling in the area.

Climping Gap - 30/12/09

3 Diver sp offshore this morning in a very grey day, also 1 Med Gull close inshore on the sea, 1 Great C Grebe, 1w Gannet, 5e 12w Red B Mergs, on land 1 Kingfisher at Atherington pools, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Stonechat.