Although there were no great rarities this week it did feel a tad livelier as we edge slowly into autumn. A pair of Ruddy Shelduck was an unusual sight at Pett Level on 14th with both birds still present on 19th. Also at Pett were Spoonbills (three on 14th and two on 16th) and a Wood Sandpiper on three dates. Another Wood Sandpiper (along with a Curlew Sandpiper) was at Rye Hbr on 18th. Up to three Spotted Redshank are still being seen at the Breech Pool (Pagham Hbr).
A Quail was reported singing from a commercial food crop on Lancing Ring on two consecutive evenings.
An Osprey was on the mudflats at Thorney Island on 18th and there was another at Medmerry RSPB the following day. Talking of raptors it’s been fascinating to follow the progress of the pair of Honey-buzzards and their two fast-growing chicks on the well-publicised webcam which the SOS is very much involved in. The attached photo comes courtesy of Wildlife Windows and the nest can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGIRKeZn3vM
Two Little Gulls were at Rye Hbr on 18th along with three Black Terns. One of the terns was a juvenile on the Salt Pool which was still present the following day. It was encouraging to hear that there were at least 60 Little Terns at Pagham Spit on 17th, half of which were juveniles.
An early Whinchat at Birling Gap on 19th was a nice sign of autumn passage and on the same day a Serin flew over Snowhill Creek (West Wittering).
