Shoreham (12-17 March 2013)

Sunday 17  March.  06:50-07:50 seawatching, this time from the end of Shoreham Harbour as the wind had dropped somewhat.  A very clear horizon wasn't encouraging and little was going past although it did include decent views of two adult Little Gulls (making up for yesterday's disappointment) and a Sandwich Tern.  Also 3 divers,  2 Brent Geese, 10 Common Scoter and 5 distant mergansers.  Two Peregines were on Southwick Power Station chimney and two Purple Sandpipers and 39 Turnstones around the inner arm despite a low tide.  There were 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Adur at low tide with a still winter plumaged Water Pipit seen there briefly.

noisy Blackbird by the Adur

Saturday 16 March.  06:50-07:50 seawatching from behind the beach huts at Widewater gave shelter from the gale force southerly wind but even so it was hard keeping a telescope still.  Four Brent Geese flew east as did 9 Red-breasted Mergansers and a frustratingly poor view of what was almost certainly an adult Little Gull.  200+ gulls on the Adur at low tide contained nothing of note although 12 mostly intermedius Lesser Black-backs suggested they were starting to return.

Wednesday 13-Thursday 14 March.  Thankfully the snow was short lived.  1-2 Peregrines on Southwick Power Station chimney on the way to/from work.

Tuesday 12 March.  The University was closed due to snow so I cycled down to the Adur and Widewater.  The roads were treacherous in places so I was pleased not to have to go further, more so given the strong easterly wind.  A Brent Goose, 13 Teal and 2 Snipe were on the Adur by the airfield and a male Black Redstart was seen briefly on the road by the entrance to Widewater.  The saltings at high tide held 44 Teal, 69+ Snipe, 65+ Redshank and a Curlew while an Avocet flew off as the tide came in.

snow on our back window

our front door

view from our front door

Avocet on Adur saltings