WEEKLY REPORT: 9-15th MARCH (Owen Mitchell) Another guest editorial to assist our Hon Recorder.
We are now well into early spring, with some migrants appearing, whilst a number of wintering species also linger on. A notable push of Brent Geese moved up-Channel on 10th, with over 1500 heading east past Selsey Bill and lesser numbers noted at other sites further east, and 500 logged at Pett. A party of six Whooper Swans also appeared on this date, spending the day around the White’s Creek area of Pagham Hbr (photo thanks to Les Phillips). This was a busy day; six Great White Egrets, two Little Gulls and a Water Pipit, were all reported from Pulborough, the previously reported Glossy Ibis re-appeared at Hunston, and two Sandwich Terns flew east off Elmer. However, a small early fall of Wheatears was a highlight for many; up to five were around the Selsey and Medmerry areas, with another couple at Pagham Hbr and one at Climping and doubtless several more at other sites. White-fronted Geese were still present at Pagham Hbr (three), Pulborough (at least ten) and Henfield Levels (37 on 13th) and the wintering Goosander at Arundel WWT and another (drake) at Tilgate remained. Four Slavonian Grebes were off Church Norton on 14th and a Hen Harrier was at Beeding Brooks on the same date. Several Blackcaps were reported over the week, presumably still over-winterers, including up to four in a Woodingdean garden and a male feeding on apples in an Elmer garden on 14th. Despite some cooler and inclement weather through the middle of the week, migrants still appeared, with a drake Garganey at Rye Hbr on 11th, singles of Black Redstart at Brighton Marina and Newhaven, and four Little Ringed Plovers at Pulborough on the same date, whilst another three of the latter species were near Angmering on 13th.
