Sussex - is it really worth it? (15-20 November 2011)

Tuesday 15 November 2011.  An early afternoon meeting at Brighton University gave me the chance to look at the east arm of Shoreham Harbour on the way home where 2 Rock Pipits were seen briefly.  A peregrine was also seen on the power station chimney.

Wednesday 16 & Friday 18 November 2011.  A peregrine was seen on the power station chimney as I cycled by on the way to work.

Saturday 19 November 2011.  Feeling unenthused I cycled to Shoreham Harbour, Widewater and the Adur seeing a Grey Plover on the Adur, Guillemot in the harbour entrance and 2 Goldcrests at New Salts Farm.  Despite the tide being low there were no colour-ringed gulls on the Adur although those that were there were soon disturbed by bait diggers and flew off.  On returning home I decided to try for the Yellow-browed Warbler which had been seen again at Pulborough although it had not been seen for over two hours when I arrived.  Three hours of unproductive searching produced 25 Fieldfares, a Redwing, 3 Goldcrests, 7 fly-over Crossbills and 2 Bullfinches.  I decided to cut my losses and went on to Greatham where a Barn and 3 Short-eared Owls saved the day.  Also at Greatham 30 Fieldfares flew into roost and Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were heard.

Fieldfare at Pulbouough - it is in there somewhere

Nuthatch at Pulborough

Short-eared Owl in poor light at Greatham

Sunday 20 November 2011.  After more indecision I decided to give Beachy a final go for the autumn.  It was very pleasant walking around but few birds were seen with the Birling-Crowlink circuit particularly unproductive.  Birds recorded included 3 Peregrines, Red-legged Partridge, Golden Plover (heard), 80 Sky Larks, Black Redstart, 2 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, 155 Goldfinches (flying E), 4 Redpolls (only 1 seen) and Siskin (heard).  I decided to try an 'owls save the day' repeat but hit fog by the old cement works and didn't bother getting out of the car at Beeding Brooks it was so thick.

Robin at Birling - not the bird with a red throat I was hoping for

Stonechat at Birling - sometimes this is as good at Beachy gets