Shoreham Harbour, Anchor Bottom, Coates and Burton MP (17 February 2013)

17 February.  The spring like conditions were unfortunately not reflected in the passage noted during an hour seawatch from the end of Shoreham Harbour from 07:50-08:50.  19 Brent Geese, 12 Teal and 2 Shelduck flew E along with single diver, Fulmar, Gannet,  Oystercatcher and Kittiwake.  More was probably moving but too far out for me to detect.  2 Red-throated Divers and 4 Razorbills were on the sea and a Peregrine on Southwick Power Station chimney.  2 Grey Plovers on the Adur were somewhat disappointing fare for a low tide visit.

Turnstone on Shoreham Harbour west arm

turning my back on the sea for the slightest distraction might explain my paltry totals on quiet days

A morning walk the South Downs Way with Megan, down Anchor Bottom and along the upper Adur produced two Ravens, 5 Yellowhammers and a Corn Buntings but no sign of any Common Sandpipers.

After lunch I had a walk around Coates Common seeing and hearing 4 Wood Lark, perhaps my favourite song.  Two Egyptian Geese were at Sopham Bridge with 80 Fieldfares nearby.  A walk to the chestnuts at Burton Mill Pond was very quiet although 35 Fieldfares and 10 Redwings in a field there were nice.  4 Mandarin flew over at dusk and just before 6pm a Bittern was seen perched halfway up the reeds along the far NE corner.  Close to my worst ever view, sadly.