It feels as if spring is here, at last! As the weather improved and the sound of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps became more and more noticeable there was a smattering of first arrivals: migrating Swallows appeared on 2nd with birds over Sidlesham and West Hill (Hastings), and on the same day two Garganey flew eastwards from Birling Gap and a Manx Shearwater was off Selsey Bill. A Little Ringed Plover was inland at Weir Wood Res on 4th (where two Sandwich Terns flew northeast on the same day). The first Ring Ouzel of the year, a female, was found at Shooters Bottom (Beachy Head) on 8th.
There was an intriguing discovery of a Whitethroat in a garden at Haywards Heath on 2nd ; since the first spring arrival date for the county is 19th March this might possibly relate to a wintering bird?
A Black-throated Diver was off Selsey Bill on 5th and 7th and one was at East Head (West Wittering) on 3rd. Slavonian Grebes were still to be found on the sea at Church Norton with a maximum of five on 7th. A drake Long-tailed Duck was at Pagham Hbr on 2nd and the American Wigeon was present again at the western end of Scotney GP on 5th.
Brent Geese are migrating eastwards along the coast now and small flocks were noted at the usual seawatching spots. Amongst the large numbers of lingering wintering birds was a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, visible from the North Wall at Pagham Hbr on 2nd and again on 5th. Smaller numbers of Russian White-fronted Geese were still present in the county with a maximum of 11 at Pulborough Brooks on 2nd and others were at Pett Level (13 on 2nd), Pagham Hbr (three on 3rd), Henfield Levels (two on 4th) and in the Cuckmere Valley (19 north of Exceat Bridge on 2nd).
The three Whooper Swans at Jury’s Gap were still present on 7th and the long-staying Glossy Ibis was seen again at Hunston (Chichester) on 2nd (photo by Peter Alfrey attached).
A rare Puffin (unfortunately dead) was found on the beach at Selsey on 2nd.
A 2cy Little Gull was at Pulborough Brooks on 2nd and an adult was noted the following day on Henfield Levels.
Water Pipits were still present and correct at West Rise Marsh (Eastbourne) and two Scandinavian Rock Pipits were in the saltmarsh at East Head on 3rd. Just one Hawfinch was reported in the week (at Staplefield on 2nd) although this probably reflects a lack of observer coverage rather than a lack of birds!
