After a long dry spell there was at last some significant rainfall midweek: it flooded over roads and (even worse) some of those exposed muddy areas which might have gotten us a decent wader. At coastal locations such as Beachy Head there were the usual suspects at this time of year (Redstart, Whinchat and Wheatear), but numbers were somewhat underwhelming.
A Red-necked Grebe flew east past Selsey Bill on 23rd and a Garganey was at Pett Level on 22nd.
Up to four Spotted Redshanks were again at Pagham Hbr and Wood Sandpipers were noted at Pett Level on 19th and Rye Hbr on 20th. The adult-type American Golden Plover was seen again on Flat Beach (Rye Hbr) early on 23rd.
Two Spoonbills were present at Iford Brooks on 18th and another was at Pett Level the following day. Spoonbill is a good local bird in the Eastbourne area so one at Shinewater Lake on 21st was noteworthy – it was still present on 23rd (photo attached).
A Roseate Tern flew west at Chichester Hbr on 18th.
There were several sightings of Osprey: a bird was at Thorney Island from 17th – 19th and one was at Pagham Hbr flying northwest on 18th. A bird flew east off Climping Beach on 21st and there were others the following day at Hastings CP and Angmering. A bird was sighted on 23rd on the Adur at Shoreham. There was a report of a Montagu’s Harrier over Pulborough Brooks on 21st.
I’ve been so busy this week I totally forgot to check the Honey-buzzard webcam, but all is apparently well: the adult female has left for Africa (probably leaving on 21st ) and the male should shortly follow leaving the two healthy juveniles on their own…they will head off over the channel sometime next month, or possibly as late as early October.
There were more Pied Flycatchers during the week with singles at Cissbury Ring on 17th, Langmeads (East Preston) and Beachy Head on 20th, Climping and Hastings CP on 21st, Beachy Head on 22nd and Hastings CP on 23rd. There were two birds together in a private garden at Normans Bay on 20th.
A Wood Warbler was at Langmeads on 20th and a juvenile Red-backed Shrike at Combes Valley CP on 23rd.
