Friday 23 September 2016

Birling and Newhaven Tidemills (23 September 2016)

Friday 23rd. Keen to see the Newhaven Red-backed Shrike I thought it a safe bet that if it had stayed overnight it would be there all day. I therefore started at Birling covering the area from 'Sardine' valley (Michel Dene) to Belle Tout. Lots of hirundines (500+ Swallow, 1160+ House Martin and a single Sand Martin) and a sprinkling of common warblers (50 Chiffchaff, 14 Whitethroats and 10 Blackcaps) but not a lot else although the Merlin performed a close flyby. Other birds seen were single Sedge and Willow Warblers and Whinchat, 17 Stonechats, 28 Canada Geese, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Corn Buntings while a Golden Plover was heard flying over. The Red-backed Shrike was still present and I called in on the way home obtaining excellent views over the course of an hour. A very obliging bird. also seen there were 2-3 Whinchats, 8 Stonechats and 2 Whitethroats. Later a walk around the heathland at Pulborough with Megan produced 2 Coal Tits and a Treecreeper.

Red-backed Shrike at Newhaven Tidemills
perhaps the most approachable individual I've ever seen











with cricket
Thursday 22nd. On my way to work a Peregrine on Southwick Power Station was my first sighting there since early May.

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