A walk around marsh farm this morning in the glorious sunshine produced, good numbers of Wildfowl on both pools, with Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard present. Also 2 squealing Water Rail, 3 Little and 1 Great-crested Grebe.  1 Kingfisher flashed across the main pool, 1 Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, and good numbers of both Redwing and Fieldfare.

Had a nice stroll around the farm this morning, glourious day without any unexpected birds. The pools held good numbers of wildfowl including Mallard,Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck, also 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great C Grebe, 2 Water Rail, 70+ Fieldfare in the area along with several Redwing. In the bushes there were 3 Bullfinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper. Good numbers of Skylark in the stubble field and several Yellowhammer.

Yesterday at Climping Beach, very slow offshore with only 1e Red-throated Diver, 2w Razorbill, 13w Brent Geese, 5 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Rock Pipit and 8 Grey Partridge to show for my efforts.

Monday 14th Nov

After spending the morning seeing virtually nothing, one lucky observer was  rewarded for his afternoon visit to Poole Place when 2 SPOONBILLS flew east overhead over Climping Beach before being lost to view.

First bird up was a late Sandwich Tern just offshore, but it soon drifted away and there was little sea movement thereafter. The Hoopoe showed well, as did the Snow Bunting in the same location as yesterday (W end of dunes). 'Vis mig' was poor with about 200 Goldfinches and 20 Siskins passing overhead but little else. The tit flock was eventually located but today seemed to consist of just 20 Long-tailed Tits, with a few Blue and Great Tits thrown in and 2 Goldcrests, the Short-eared Owl was also seen.

Combined totals for today include the HOOPOE, that was relocated but elusive behind the Black Horse Pub, and near the thatched cottages. One SNOW BUNTING showed well on and off at the far west end of the dunes, by the corner of the golf course, often on the small grass area. A male Black Redstart was at the far east end of the patch, and a Short-eared Owl still in the area. Two or more Chiffchaffs were noted and the Tit flock held a Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.

Seemed very quiet around the Golf Course this morning, still small flocks of Finches moving east and singles of Whinchat on the practise area, and Chiffchaff and Blackcap from 1st wood. Onto West Beach were I decided as it was that quiet just to do the small loop and head for home. A nice surprise firstly was Short-eared Owl flushed from the dunes on 3, 1 Peregrine north over the golf course and 2 SNOW BUNTING, seen 50yds west of the boardwalk, amongst the shingle. They eventually took flight east and lost to view, may still be in the area around the dunes. Good count of 45 Cormorant on the river mouth breakwater  and several Red-breasted Mergansers moving west, 2 Razorbill off Climping Beach.

The HOPOOE still present this morning, ranging from Atherington upto its favoured spot at Kent Farm. Good passage of Finches with 650 Goldfinch, 120 Siskin, 100 Linnets, 150, Chaffinches, and at least 10 Redpoll, totals were for one hour only between 8-9. Also today 3 Blackcap, 1 Swallow, 40 Skylark,  1 Stonechat, 1 Buzzard, 2 Golden Plover, 6 Stock Dove 200+ Wood Pigeon , and 2 Peregrine. Offshore 6 Gannet.

After spending most of the morning around Atherington looking for yesterdays HOOPOE without success, I decided to go back to my car at Kemp Farm and grab my camera to get some shots of the Short-eared Owl roosting in the hedge in the horse field. Driving towards Climping Primary School  I relocated the bird in the middle of the road then it flew into a roasdside tree.

Also today 1 late Whinchat bread lane, 1 Bullfinch, 1-2 Brambling, 1 Female Blackcap, 8 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, still small flocks of finches on the move, singles of Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and several Goldcrest in the area.

Appeared very quiet in the patch this morning with only singles of the following, Firecrest, Chiffchaff and Blackcap in longwood, Wheatear west beach, and Kingfisher bread lane. 2 Peregrine performing over the campsite made pleasant viewing, and finally 2 Stonechat on the eastern end of the  golf course.

Good variety in the patch today, with combined totals from several observers being 1 Merlin Baliffscourt, 1 Short-eared Owl flushed from the sand dunes at west beach. 1 Woodcock flushed from behind the mill and flew across the golf course. Good number of Song Thrush and Blackbirds in the area. 1 Fieldfare, 2 flyover Crossbill calling, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest,  4 Stonechat,1 Wheatear, and still good number of finches moving with at least 50 Redpoll. Also 5 Curlew and 5 Grey Partridge.

Sadly there was no sign of the Pallas's Warbler this morning, but there were plenty of compensations as it turned into a cracking day's birding at the Gap. Two Firecrests were in Long wood, and at least 2 Short-eared Owls performed well, eventually showing at close range along the beach. Six Crossbills were seen and heard as they flew east, and visible migration was the best of the autumn so far, with 3600+ Goldfinches passing through, flock after flock streaming east, together with 3-figure counts of Siskin, Redpoll, Pied/alba Wagtail, Linnet and Skylark. Other migrants included 10 Swallows, 2 Wheatears, 12 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings and several Blackcaps, and finally a Ring Ouzel at the back of Bailiffscourt

Congrats go to Richard Pulley for phoning me about a PALLAS'S WARBLER he found in the west end of Long Wood at 1610 this afternoon. Heard calling and associating with one of the three Firecrest in the wood Showed well but briefly a couple of times but not seen since 16:40. Also today a couple of both Chiffchaff and Blackcap, a total of 7-8 Firecrest in the Gap and about 8 Goldcrest.

One of several Firecrest in Long Wood this afternoon

Out after the rain and was rewarded with at least 4 Firecrest in the patch this morning, with one at first wood and 3 behind the Mill Cottages. Good numbers Goldcrest with at least 10 in the area, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 female Blackcap, and 2 Peregrine sitting in the field north of the the Mill.

Late afternoon walk through first wood produced 1-2 Firecrest, my first of the autumn, singles of the following, Treecreeper, Blackcap, Little Egret and Sparrowhawk.

Good numbers of finches moving this morning mainly Siskin and Goldfinch, several Redpoll and 2 Brambling, although little else of interest. 1 female Bullfinch in the Atherington car park,  Merlin seen flying south from Climping beach.  Yesterday a Coal Tit was seen in the Atherington area.

It certainly felt like winter at Climping first this morning, but as the sunshine warmed thingsa a little it was apparent that just a few migrants were still around. A Male Brambling in a hedgerow showed nicely but briefly, 6 Swallows passed through as did a dozen Redpolls, 75 Siskins, and 130 Goldfinch, but otherwise only 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Reed Buntings and a single Wheatear were noted. A Little Owl being mobbed by Blackbirds was also located and 29 Brent Geese passed west offshore.

Saturday 15th Oct
Good numbers of finches moving east this morning, with better numbers than the previous days, with 75 Redpoll, 85 Pied/alba Wagtail, 300 Siskin, 2050 Goldfinch, 30 Skylark, 40 Linnet, 60 Meadow Pipit, 14 Swallow, 10 Blckcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 5 Common Buzzard, 3 Green Woodpecker, 21w Wigeon and 1w Med Gull

At Climping Gap today a late WRYNECK  found on the vegetated shingle in fron of the dunes at West Beach at 1030. The morning being again dominated by easterly finch movement produced  1120 Goldfinch, 180 Siskin, 80 Redpoll, 60 Linnets, and  61 Pied/alba Wagtail. Back up birds included a Woodlark, 2 Fieldfare, 5 Wheatear, 3 Stonechat, 3 Blackcap. Offshore small numbers of Brent Geese and Wigeon moving west.

With the wind dropping and a hint of sun, anticipation of something promising at Climping beach this morning alas no, but  good numbers of Brent Geese today with a total of 447w, also 49w Wigeon, 4e Sandwich Tern, 4w Mediterranean Gull with two on the sea, 2w Red-breasted Mergansers, and 2 Shags. Good numbers of finches moving east in the still wind, with 320 Goldfinch, 150 Linnet, 18 Redpoll and at least1-2 Brambling heard over head, and  Goldcrest and Chiffchaffs more notable today.

Tuesday 11th Oct
With wind conditions looking promising results today were very disapointing, with 1e Artic Skua, 1e Red Throated Diver, 21w Brent Geese, 1w Commic Tern, 2w Common Scoter, and several distant Gannets, made too feel worse later about the report of the Sabine's Gull seen at selsey and worthing.

Combined totals for this morning seawatch from Climping beach are as follows 4w 1e Great Skua, 60w 26e Gannet, 75w Brent Geese, 4 Great C Grebe, 20w Common Scoter, 2w Red-breasted Merganser, 2w 2e Mediterranean Gull, 3w Wigeon ,and 2 Curlew. Also 2 Crossbill flew west, 1 Rock Pipit,  with Siskin and Redpoll again present.

Unable to get out until late afternoon, I paid a visit to Marsh Farm.  At about 1620 walking down to the train lines, my attention was drawn to a single bird flying east, I immediately identified a GLOSSY IBIS flying towards ford railway station. The bird turned on it self and then was lost to view at this point.  Also on the main pool 60 Mute Swan, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 50 Lapwing, around the bushes 1-2 Bullfinch, several Chiffchaff, and Yellowhammer, 2 Sparrowhawk and 1 Buzzard.

Good to get first firecrest of autumn on the patch, also kingfisher on golf course along with just one wheatear. Chiffchaffs still in good numbers with 40 recorded. Small groups of swallows, martins and a few sand martins noted. No big finch movements but roaming groups of linnet got near 100 mark. Five blackcaps and similar number of goldcrests and grey partridges were also seen. Skylark and meadow pipit numbers increasing. Further signs of the seasons changing were 20 brent geese flying west. Usual two peregrines ended a grey but mild morning.



Friday 7th  Sept

Climping Gap: Siskin – 35 W , Chiffchaff – 20, Swallow – 40 W, House Martin – 3 W, Wheatear – 13,  Pied/alba Wagtail – 17 W, Yellow Wagtail – 1 W, Skylark – 11 W, Blackcap – 8, Goldfinch – 120 W, Chaffinch – 15 W, Linnet – 100 W, Goldcrest – 2, Stonechat – 4, Gannet – 2 W, Med Gull – 1 W, Brent Goose – 1 W, Grey Partridge – 14

Also lots of Blackbirds - 15 in one hedge in Bailiffscourt but not even a sniff of an ouzel

Very quiet in the patch at Climping Gap today. In two hours the sea produced nothing more than a single Eider E, a Golden Plover W along the shoreline, 32 Gannets, a few each of Med Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Common Scoter and auk sp, and 60 Swallows out SW and 2 Sand Martins. The bushes were useless except for about 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps and singles of Wheatear and Stonechat

 The Indian summer continues, with plenty of finch flocks on the move early on, but otherwise little to cause any excitement:- Siskin – 325 E, Redpoll – 10 E, Pied Wagtail – 85 E, Goldfinch – 490 E, Meadow Pipit – 120 E, Linnet – 25 E, Skylark – 15 E, Chiffchaff – 30, Blackcap – 15, Stonechat – 2, Wheatear – 2, Goldcrest - 4, Yellow Wagtail - 1, Med Gull – 1 W, also 2 Peregrines, a Tawny Owl and a Hobby.

Spent a couple of hours on the the golf course this morning, usual suspects sighted I'm afraid with nothing different for a couple of days now.  With 1 Redstart and 3 Whinchat behind the reedbed, 4 Stonechat practise area, 6 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, several Meadow Pipits and Linnets on the fairways, and good numbers of finches moving east. Also 1 Lesser  and 2 Whitetroat in the area.

Anticipating something good this morning on the golf course only to find an early society out at 0720 putting an end to my excitement. Still a good selection of species this morning with 1-2 Redstart, 2 Spotted Fly, 2 Whinchat, 30 Blackcap, 20 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed arbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, good numbers of finches moving east with several small group of Siskin, and  a few Redpoll.  1 Kingfisher flew from  the beach towards the mill path, 1 Tawny Owl calling from 1st wood, Peregrine over the north field, and  good numbers of House martin over the western end of the golf course.  Also today 2 Little Egret, 1 Med Gull west with several Sandwich Tern close inshore, and good numbers of Meadow Pipit in fields west of the mill path.

   Monday 26th Sept

At Climping this morning a small movement of Gannets, 18 Brent Geese, and several of Sandwich and Common Tern, plus ca.1000 Swallows streaming out SW all morning. Bird of the day though was a dark juv Pomarine Skua which came in from way out to follow the coastline W; it's flight action, diagnostic double white underprimary flash and lack of any warmer brown plumage tones finally clinching its ID. On land a Lesser Whitethroat and a few Siskins amongst the commoner migrants.

Wed 21st Sept

Headed over to Newhaven as haven't seen SABINE'S GULL for several years now, and had an anxious wait for half an hour when it was located sitting on the sea in the sun some 50 metres out. Not the best of pictures, but spent an hour watching this delightful bird. Also juv Kittiwake present for a comparison.

Headed upto the Burgh from Burpham as the reported PALLID HARRIER was showing well mid morning, had to wait a few hours and after stringing a pale Buzzard got some cracking views late afternoon. Also 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine 1 Turtle Dove and several Buzzards.

Very quiet in the windy conditions on the patch this  morning, although birds of the day were two RAVEN calling moving west over the horse paddock at Climping at 0840. Still plenty of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the sheltered spots singles of Grey Wagtail and Wheatear, couple of Whitethroat, 1-2 Buzzard , 1 Little Owl and good numbers of House Martin over the camp site.

Bright and breezy this morning decided to sart on the golf course and was rewarded with my first SHORT-EARED OWL of the autumn, flushed from the long grass behind the fort, it  gave prolonged views and managed to capture some reasonable shot's. Also today 5 Grey Wagtail, 7-8 Stonechat, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 25 Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 14 Blackcap,  3 Goldcrest and 6 Wheatear. Good numbers of finches and Meadow Pipits moving west.

Friday 16th Sept

Climping Gap: A different feel to things today with a fresh easterly blowing, but still a lovely morning. The number of visible migrants was much reduced, especially Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, the best being just a single Redstart at Bailiffscourt and a couple each of Siskin, Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail. The sea proved to be a bit better, with 75 Med Gulls along the beach and 4 Brent Geese W – the first of the autumn. Having checked out the bushes, I returned to watch the sea for the last half hour, and at 1155 am, I picked up a distant flock of 6 small duck heading west over Littlehampton pier, and as so often happens the birds turned directly in towards the bay and followed the coastline. I presumed they were Teal, but as they got nearer and nearer something was wrong with the jizz as they looked a shade on the large side, a bit longer bodied and plainer than I’d expected. They continued west hugging the shoreline, passing me about 50 metres out, and I then saw there was no little white flash to the tail-sides nor any yellow undertail-colouring, but there was a broad white trailing edge to the secondaries, with a small dark greyish panel in front then a narrower white bar – without any hint of green in the panel as always shown by Teal. The penny dropped – these were not Teal but Garganey! I had time to scope them as they moved west still close in – at one time they even checked and turned before moving on – and could see some steely grey on the forewings of a couple and some paler markings above the eye. I also think a couple of them were young/juv birds. Always difficult in eclipse plumage I know, especially over the sea – but in case some think I was over-ambitious, I should explain that fortunately viewing conditions were just right to be sure. A nice surprise to finish the morning

A nice morning at Climping Gap where it was obvious there had been a fall of Chiffchaffs, with 60+ in the bushes and 30 Blackcaps. It was much as yesterday really, with a variety of the commoner migrants; 17 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 14 Wheatears, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 16 Siskins and singles of Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. Another 200+ Meadow Pipits were on the move westwards, as were large numbers of hirundines - a guestimate would be around 1500 Swallows, 1000 House Martins and 250 Sand Martins, but possibly many more. The sea remained dead except for 3 Sandwich Terns, but today's prize goes to a crazy Woodpigeon that in mid-Sept has decided to nest in an exposed hedgerow beside the car park.

A blustery wind, WSW 5-6/7 again produced virtually nothing over the sea, except 6 Black-tailed Godwits heading W close in (uncommon here). Perhaps surprisingly though, there were plenty of common migrants about, especially in the sheltered spots. I logged 18 Common Whitethroats, c.30 each of Chiffchaff and Blackcap, 15 Wheatears, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Grey Wagtail, 24 + Yellow Wagtails, 45 Linnets and best of all a juv Turtle Dove near the old Mill (year tick!)  and still present late afternoon around Atherington Cottages.

The most noticeable movement however was of Meadow Pipits heading W/SW into the wind or out to sea - difficult to count but I conservatively estimated c.250 with many Swallows, House Martins and a few Sand Martins mixed in. Finally, a Treecreeper in a coastal pine received close scrutiny before I had to accept it was the normal Eurasian species and probably just a local bird!

With the forecast of some strong winds headed to Climping Beach this morning for a sea watch.  Birds moving although fairly distant offshore but  the highlight being two Skua's moving west at about 0900. Also Commic and Sandwich Tern present and several Gannet, with 3W Mediterranean Gull and 7W Dunlin.

Fri 9th Sept
A 3-hour jaunt at Climping this morning (around Atherington/Mill area) produced a selection of the commoner migrants; 30+Blackcaps, 20 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 24 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and 7 Wheatears. However the sea remained totally dead, with just a handful of distant Commic Terns offshore and virtually nothing else.

Thurs 8th Sept
2 Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 20 Wheatear, 1 Garden Warbler, still good numbers of Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and a few Chiffchaff, very quiet offshore with a few Gannets, Commic and Sandwich Tern moving.

Quick look in field behind 1st wood produced 1 Green Sandpiper in the ditches, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Buzzard, 11 Grey Partridge and several each of Blackcap, Whitethroat, and Willow Warbler before rain stopped play.

The count of Yellow Wagtails reached the dizzy heights of 48 this morning, but otherwise it was more of the same really. Our joint totals were: 45 Whitethroats, 35 Blackcaps, 3 Redstarts, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Wheatears, 2 Garden Warblers and a single Spotted Flycatchers. Just a handful of Chiffchaffs and 2 Willow Warblers were logged, whilst hirundines were also slow to get going, the Swallow count peaking at ca. 250. The sea was flat calm with little offshore except four Great Crested Grebes and six Common Terns, but resident birds included a good count of 26 Grey Partridges (two coveys), 2 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Peregrines and a Little Owl

Thursday 1 Sept.
As noted elsewhere a quiter day but with a nice lot of birds around , with 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 24 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 30 Whitethroat, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Little Owl, 2 Jay, 1 Buzzard, 10 Grey Partridge, 400+ Swallow, 50+ Sand Martin 1 Yellow Wagtail, and 2 Peregrine.

After a very quiet and calm day on the patch yesterday, today was also slow and still fairly calm, but there's a light easterly now blowing, perhaps hinting at better things to come. Combined totals for the area today include,22 Blackcaps, 30 Whitethroats, 15 Chiffchaffs, 8 Willow Warblers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Reed Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Garden Warblers, 1 Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 5 Wheatears. Waders are more obvious now, with 88 Oystercatchers, 105 Ringed Plovers and 32 Sanderling on the shore and 6 Golden Plover nearby, whilst the sea produced 4 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Curlew and a few Sandwich and Common Terns.

Hirundines were obviously on the move, with perhaps 1000 Swallows passing through and heading east, especially over the sea, and also 200 House Martins and 50 Sand Martins.

Monday 29th August

A better day for Yellow Wagtails with 13 this morning flying west @ 10.30am (not as good as Rustington  which had 93 and 2 Juv BLACK TERN), Common Sandpiper 2, Willow Warbler 13, Chiffchaff 4. Swallow 70+, House Martin 30+, Sand Martin 100+, Swift 4, Blackcap 10, Lesser Whitehroat 3, Whitethroat 20, Wheatear 5, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Whinchat 3, Sandwich Tern 3, Linnet 60+, Spotted Flycatcher 1.

Good numbers of Wheatear in the area today with at least 35 being recorded, also 4-5 Whinchat. 1 Redstart still in the horse field, only 2 flyover Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, and several Sand Martin moving west.

Birding between the showers on Littlehampton golf course this morning, and I  was rewarded with 2 Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 5 Blackcap,  9 Wheatear, 3 Grey Partridge, 3 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel on the beach, and still good numbers of Whitethroat in the area, with several of both chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

Conditions looked promising for a migrant fall today with early rain giving way to sunshine. In the event I only managed to do less than half the patch in 4+ hours - sticking to the western end around Climping. Plenty of common migrants were about, notably 35 Whitethroats and 60+ Wheatears, also 3-4 Redstarts, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, c.10 Blackcaps, a couple of Whinchats, 15+ Willow Warblers and a Garden Warbler, though only 2 fly-over Yellow Wagtails were noted. It felt like there just had to be something scarcer around, but despite much searching my only reward was flushing a Grasshopper Warbler; it showed well from the bottom of a bush, until I reached for my camera! Sadly no other birders were covering the east end of the patch today or the golf course, but I wouldn't mind betting the true numbers at the Gap today were at least double my totals.

Sightings for the 22nd include 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Redstart,1 Treecreper, 24 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Wheatear and 2 Peregrine.

Totals for the patch today include 29 Whitethroat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 2 Redstart, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Little Owl.

Lovely morning at the Gap. Lots of birds with nothing very spectacular but an excellent morning none the less. Early on a passage of swifts 120 in 15mins, with sand martins 50, swallows 20. Hedges full of whitethroat 55+. Some blackcap 5, lesser whitethroat 5, garden warbler 2, willow warbler 10, wheater 23, reed warbler 17, reed bunting 2, peregrine 2, sparrowhawk 1. Did not make it to Bailiffscourt,  a quick look at the beach produced; little tern 2.
Robin and blackbird numbers increasing

Quieter today than of late but still 2 Redstarts in the area, along with 1-2 Whinchat, 10 Wheatear, 6 Reed Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtail, and good numbers of Sand Martin moving through.

Combined totals for Climping Gap today  include  a  showy Grasshopper Warbler (2nd day) and a Spotted Flycatcher , also 3 Whinchat, 2 Redstart,  about 40 Common Whitethroats were logged, with at least 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Reed and 1 Sedge Warbler, a few Blackcaps and 15+ Wheatears and  several overhead Yellow Wagtails. Three of the 'regular' Little Owls appeared again today,  and  offshore a couple of Little Tern off West Beach.

A breezy morning making birding a touch difficult. Far fewer birds than yesterday none the less afew rather nice things about. Highlight was a superb grasshopper warbler which showed really well in a bush just off the golf course footpath, did everything apart from sing. other details are as follows; willow warblers 8, green woodpeckers 5, swallows 5, sand martin 1, whitethroat 12, lesser whitethroat 2, blackcap 6, reed warbler 4, sedge warbler 1, sparrowhawk 3 (adult fem plus juvs), wheatear 12, sandwich tern 12, little owl 2, jay 2, little egret 4, ringed plover 60ish. Less wind forecast for Wednesday so might be a few more birds around.

Plenty of common migrants at the Gap this morning, and fortunately with four of us regular observers around coverage was good. The scarcest bird was probably a Green Sandpiper on the golf course, but other totals were:- 45+ Whitethroats, 15 Willow Warblers, 60 Sand Martins, 7 Reed Warblers, 26 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 100 Swallows, 7 Swifts, 3 Garden Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Whinchats. On the shore there were 42 Sanderlings and 60 Ringed Plovers. There was a no-show from the Little Owls today, but local birds included 2 Peregrines, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Grey Partridges, 5 Green Woodpeckers and 4 Jays. As so often though, it was notable that much of the migrant activity had ceased by around 1100hrs

A Redstart in the bushes at the back of the reedbed, was the first of the autumn for myself. Quieter than of late but still some good numbers of the commoner migrants, with at least 20 Swift moving through, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge and 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard.

Quick walk around Marsh Farm this morning, although nothing out of the ordinary a good selection of birds present. 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Great crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whiethroat present and several Reed Warbler.

Decided to try my luck from the east end of the patch this morning, starting at the golf course and was rewarded with a  MARSH HARRIER being harassed by gulls heading north towards the river and town centre at 0750. Totals for today include 3-4 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Wheatear, 2 Little Owl, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Jay, 25 Willow Warbler, 30 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Swift, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern and 1 Great C Grebe, also good number of House Martin.

Mon 1st Aug

Combined totals for Monday, at Littlehapton end which seemed the better area of the patch today with double figures for whitethroat and Willow Warblers, good numbers of Sedge Warblers (at least two family groups), Reed Warblers and Wrens! At last two Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler. At least one family group of Reed Buntings (up to 5 birds). 3 Common Sandpipers on river. 5 Little Egrets on the beach this morning and 1 Eider. Also 2 Little Owl Baliffscourt several Blackacap, and good numbers of Swallow's.

Thurs 28th July

At Climping this morning (mainly around Atherington) where early migrants were again obvious. A Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher were in the horse paddock hedge, whilst a Grasshopper Warbler was flushed from long grass at a field edge. Two Lesser Whitethroats, ca. 20 Common Whitethroats, 25 Willow Warblers and a few Blackcaps and Reed Warblers were also logged. Two pairs of Swallows were found nesting in the small wooden stable, whilst a Buzzard, a Little Owl and two Jays were at Bailiffscourt.

A little sign of autumn migration in the patch this morning when a Grasshopper Warbler flicked out of the long grass near the campsite. A juv Stonechat in the fields, then relocated in the horse paddock. Good numbers of Willow Warblers with at least 30 in the Climping area alone, 12 Whitethroat, with 1 Lesser in Baliffscourt.  Several each of Blackcap, Reed and Sedge Warbler. Best of the rest being 1 Little Owl,  1 Common Sandpiper on the beach and 7 summer plummaged Sanderling, with about 7 Meditteranean Gulls in the gull flock west of the hotel.

Four Common Sandpiper on the river this morning, also at least 20+ Mediterranean Gulls in various plumages in the Climping beach area. Best of the rest being 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3-4 Little Owl, 15 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, and several Sandwich Tern offshore.

Late morning stroll around the farm in a glorious sunshine produced at least 50 Lapwing over the north fields, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 8 Reed Warbler 2 Sedge Warbler 1 Bullfinch, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Great crested Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Swift and good numbers of Swallow moving through.

Out with the camera this afternoon around the farm which was as expected fairly quiet, although in the end a good total. With 2 Bullfinch, singles of each of the following  Common Tern,  Little and Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher, Buzzard,  2 Grey Heron, good numbers of Swift, several each of  Reed, Sedge Warblers, and Yellowhammer.

Quick walk around the farm this morning, good number of Warblers still singing with Reed, Sedge Whitethtoat and Lessser being recorded, also Chiffchaff, Blackcap. On the big pool 1 Great C Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Tern, and 3 Bullfinch along with several Yellowhammer in the bushes.

Early evening stroll around the farm this evening produced a lot of activity on the big pool, with 2 Common Tern, singles of both Little and Great C Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 3 drake Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, and several Swallow. Good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler, along with Whitethroat, and 1 Lesser of the former. 3 Lapwing flying west and several Swift in the area along with 1 Buzzard.

1 Whinchat on the golf course this morning and a Spotted Flycatcher at Baliffscourt.

Early morning walk around the farm this morning produced all the common warblers around in good numbers. 1 Great crested Grebe on the big pool with 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cuckoo calling overhead on the telephone wires, 2 Swifts flew east overhead and 1 Cett'is Warbler heard.

A good day's birding which started at Climping 0830, must try and get up earlier as the passage today wasvery promising with 2e Pomarine Skua, 2e Black-throated Diver, 1e Great Skua, 48e  Scoter, 40e Little Tern, 2 Auk sp, 31e 9w Commic Tern,  28e 10w Sandwich Tern, 9e Whimbrel, 35w Sanderling, 3e Little Egret and 1n Yellow Wagtail.

Mid afternoon took a stroll around up Black ditch  which produced nothing spectacular, but good numbers of Whitethroat and Reed Warbler present, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4-5 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher,  and Cetti's Warbler heard

2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and a Little Grebe at Marsh Farm mid afternoon.

Combined totals for the patch today include, 2 distant Skua's east, 1ne Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 7e Gannet, 55e Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Commic Terns, 8 Little Tern, 1e Little Gull, 5 Fulmar, 25 whimbrel, 2e Shelduck, 3 Common Scoter, 8 Wheatear, 4 Swift, 22 Whitethroat, 8w Dunlin


Firday 29th April
Sea watching from Climping Beach produced 50e Bar-tailed Godwits, 12e Sandwich Tern, 35 Gannet offshore, 7 Commic Tern, 2e Mediterranean Gull, 33e Whimbrel, 3e Curlew, 2e 2w Little Tern, 1w Fulmar, 1House Martin, 1 Swift ,2 Buzzards and 8 Wheatear.

A mid afternoon walk up black dtitch towards Lyminster, produced 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat 5 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard,  and good numbers of Swallow moving north.

Good number of Warblers around the Farm this morning with 3 Cetti's, 12 Sedge, 10 Reed, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff,  and 5 Blackcap, other birds of note included 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Tern, 1 Mandarin, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 3 Buzzard, and several pairs of both Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer.

Late news for the past week or so, in which highlights include 3 Avocets on the tideline from the Mill at 0750 and a Gargeny on Mewsbrook boat lake on the morning of the 22nd.

Walk around Marsh Farm this afternoon produced good number of Warblers in the area with 1 Cetti's, 7 Sedge, 5 Reed, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow, 6 Blackcap, and 4 Chiffchaff. A Little Grebe on the big pool with my first Cuckoo of the yearcalling then flew over, and several each of Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Swallow.

I thought the cloud cover might produce some movement offshore this morning but I was mistaken and gave up after an hour, 3e Great C Grebe, 2w Brent Geese, 2e Gannet, 3w 2e Sandwich Tern, 5e Shelduck,  2w Med Gull, and 5 Swallow. In and around the bushes where 5 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler and goods numbers of both Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

Took a stroll the along black ditch late morning and was rewarded with several migrants. 1 Cett's Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 4 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk and 5 Buzzard.

Mon 11th April

Still fairly quite at the patch today but 3 Whiteththroat in the area also 3 Sedge Warbler 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 20 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin and 3 Reed Bunting.

Combined totals for today include 1 Nightingale, on the mill path 60yds from the 13th tee, 1 male Redstart near the old campsite; also 15 Blackcaps, 5 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs 1 Wheatear, 3 Swallow and 17 RBM offshore.

Good selection of common migrants in and around the golf course this morning, included singles of Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 1-2 Sedge Warbler, Firecrest, and House Martin. Other numbers today are 5 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Wheatear, 1 Buzzard, 4 Grey Partridge, 4 Med Gull and a Whimbrel.

Sun 3rd April

16 Wheatear,in field north of the mill this morning,  also14 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Swallow in the area, offshore 1 Little Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Slavonion Grebe, 8 Great C Grebe, 21 RBM,