Recent Sightings

A leisurely walk around a very dry Pulborough Brooks this afternoon yielded a total of 35 bird species. No waders were recorded, and ducks comprised just Mallard and a few Teal, although there were quite large flocks of Greylags, Canada Geese and some Egyptian Geese. Four species of birds of prey, namely several Kestrels, two Marsh Harriers together, and several each of Common Buzzards and Red Kites. Raven heard distantly. A couple of small flocks of 30-40 Swallows with a few House Martins. Chiffchaffs were quite widespread and vocal and among other small birds were a flock of about 40 Linnets, a Cetti's Warbler and a Nuthatch. Quite numerous Clouded Yellow butterflies (perhaps the most recorded species, although several Speckled Woods in suitable habitat), and also plenty of dragonflies/damselflies of maybe five species.

An afternoon stroll around Arlington Reservoir with my daughter was a fairly quiet one in terms of bird species and numbers. What was strange was a lone Lapwing on the water's edge on the car park side of the reservoir. It was present the whole time and flew occasionally short distances up and down the shoreline calling as it went. We also saw singles of Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, and Ringed Plover in close proximity from the hide.

This morning in the roost at Arundel WWT were c130 Cattle Egrets (most in the attached photo), 1 Great White Egret, at least 3 Marsh Harriers and 16 Cormorants. Also in this area, 1 Barn Owl, 3+ Sedge Warblers, 3+ Reed Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails and plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and all three hirundines.

The excellent SOS newsletter by now will have arrived in your mailbox,  snail mail in the next few days. Weekend walks are listed on page 20 but despite a lot of eagle eyes the mid week walks somehow escaped! - so dates for your diary: Wednesday 21st October Birling Gap (ESx): Monday 23rd November  Dell Quay (WSx):  Thursday 3rd December The Burgh (WSx). Full details of all the walks till the end of the year are on our events page. Or email outings@sos.org.uk  for further information

A walk round the reservoir with the world’s loudest and most distracted toddler (and his son) was surprisingly more productive than we could have predicted. A brief view of the first Spotted Flycatcher we’ve seen here this year, perched on the floor with a Dunnock which was very incongruous was followed by our first Peregrine of the year on the pylons over the back along with a Wheatear. As we made our way over the dam, Mark spotted an unusual raptor flying over. We both pretty much assumed it was a Honey-buzzard but I tried to get a record shot anyway. A nice pale phase juvenile HB was the consensus, the first we’ve EVER seen here. A few Yellow Wagtails flew over with all 3 hirundine species and by the end of the walk we’d also racked up 6 bird of prey species, adding Sparrowhawk, and Hobby to our Buzzard, Honey-buzzard, Peregrine and Kestrel. The waders appear to be the same small group of 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 3 Common Sand we saw here last week, still holding out for a Curlew Sand! A very respectable 50 species at the end of this very productive visit.

Local patch today got me Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail, Buzzard, Chiffchaff plus about 15 Swallows and 8 White Wagtails to name just a few of what I saw. Sadly no sign of the Spotted Flycatcher this time.

Dorian Mason sadly passed away in Worthing Hospital last night Sunday 13 September, after a struggle with Alzheimer's Disease which stopped him going birding. In Sussex he was a well known "Bird Photographer" taking brilliant pictures of many of the birds we encountered on our days out. A kind gentleman who was very passionate about wildlife and always happy to chat to other birders. Without his building knowledge and willingness to help attitude we would have not been able to complete many of the practical tasks around Pagham Harbour, such as repairing the Norton hide and building the steps into the churchyard at Norton and much more. He was a great friend of mine sharing so many wonderful days together. A dedicated family man who will be missed so much by his close family. RIP old buddy. 

On an overcast and occasionally breezy day twenty-one joined me for the Arlington Reservoir walk. As we set off from the car park a few Swallow flew overhead and although Swallow remained in small numbers throughout our walk other hirundine were present in swarms with, at a rough estimate, around a hundred Sand Martin busy over the reservoir and later around 50 House Martin around the "umbrella", perhaps attracted by the speaker still broadcasting calls. Cormorant as usual decorated their usual reservoir perch and included 2 pale breasted juveniles. Out on the water several Great Crested Grebe were present as usual and two flights of Egyptian Goose flew in (at least 17) and 2 Greylag Goose. On the west shore there were 2 Grey Heron and tens of Black-headed Gull loafing (Herring Gull were mainly overhead). As we walked around we heard the calls of one or two Chiffchaff, a Wren and a song from a Robin, with an occasional Woodpigeon flying over. The fields to the north of the reservoir had no cattle and only a few Rook, Jackdaw and occasional Crow. A pause in the wood only provided a distant Nuthatch, a closer Chiffchaff, Blue Tit and Woodpigeon. Another pause on reaching the dam causeway added a Pied Wagtail and for some a Common Sandpiper. We headed out across to the River Cuckmere with a few more overhead Swallow and to the sound of 2 calling Pheasant. A scan of a distant herd of cattle failed to find anything of note although a Buzzard appeared for some (and for the rest later in the walk). From the bridge only a single Coot but then a Kingfisher gave good views in flight and leaving the bridge we added two flying Raven. Another good spot was a distant raptor on the wired revealed to be a Kestrel. South across the fields of sheep a few more Chiffchaff and a single and colourful juvenile Willow Warbler. Things livened up when we returned back into the reservoir grounds when Angela spotted first one Spotted Flycatcher and eventually 4 busily fly catching and posing - first of the year for some. A second Green Woodpecker appeared noisily and colourfully. Eventually we were back on the dam again it was obvious that waders were unlikely on 'the beach' which was full of Canada Goose and a single Great Black-backed Gull. A juvenile Dunlin proved to be the only wader. A number of Mallard were seen and the usual flock of House Sparrow around the waterfront farm. As ever thanks to all for great company and 'shouts'. My list had 34 species.

250 House Martins W in 90 mins this morning was my best vis mig count this year- migration along this bit of coast is a shadow of what it used to be...

Whilst I was cooking dinner with the kitchen door open it was nice to be serenaded by the slightly melancholic autumn song of a Robin in the birch at the bottom of the garden. Presumably a male, although both sexes of Robin are known to sing, and research on female bird song is ongoing, albeit that it appears to be more common in tropical latitudes...Still loads of Common Darter dragonflies in the garden, and although the number of bumblebees is declining Common Carders are still present and probably now the predominant species.

A good fall of migrants at Malling Down this morning. Stars of the show were Blackcaps in their dozens, seemingly in every bush. Willow Warblers also in good numbers with a few Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts, including a smart male, and a Whitethroat. Red Kite and Ravens dropping in to boot. There were 4 Wheatears by the golf course earlier in the week (one just in pic), but seem to have moved on since.

This morning a flock of about a dozen Greenfinch landed in the top of a mature Beech tree at the bottom of our Horsham garden. They have been doing well recently in our area but this is the largest number I have seen. They could be seen having a go at the masts, but were predominantly feeding on new buds.

Saturday 12th September. Records of note at Thorney Deeps WeBS included a Great White Egret, Cattle Egret 20 including 10 juveniles almost fledged in Heronry, Little Egret 22, Coot 266, Wigeon 160, Teal 304, Greylag Goose c60, Curlew 300, Redshank 550, Greenshank 52 also one Osprey still present and showing well. We also found a new butterfly species for Thorney Island a very fresh looking superb female Brown Hairstreak. Pilsey Island counts included Little Egret 27, Oystercatcher 80, Heron 1, Ringed Plover 20, Dunlin 7, Sanderling 1, Bar-tailed Godwit 2, Grey Plover 6, Whimbrel 8, Curlew 84, Redshank 22, Turnstone 3. There was also a male juvenile Peregrine harassing the waders etc. Pilsey Sands: Three hours before high tide there were 2000 Black-headed Gulls, 240 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Terns, then on a rising tide and strong winds they flew off to various locations in the harbour. 

Wednesday 16th September. West Rise Marsh, near Eastbourne ESx: Meet 09:30, half day (under 3 miles). Meet in the car park on Sevenoaks Road BN23 7SA Car Park has a 1.85m height restriction. From A27 take A22 turn L onto B2191 then shortly R onto Sevenoaks Rd, car park on R. Wellington Boots advised. Wetland habitat and birds. No facilities OS199 TQ625024 ///give.august.also Leader: Steve Hewitt.?07793 416375

Nice views of a swirling tower of 4 Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks and 2 Red Kites on the Downs above Storrington this morning. On the path back from Lee farm to Chantry at least 3 separate Kestrel sightings and a single “White flash” of a Wheatear darting between a fence and long grass.