Sussex fledglings (17-22 June 2013)

Saturday 22 June.  Seawatching from behind the beach huts at Widewater sheltering from a strong SW produced just 13 Gannets, 4 Sandwich Terns and 2 Turnstones in an hour.  It wasn't helped by visibility coming and going.  On Widewater the pair of Mute Swans with 6 cygnets.

A walk on the Downs above Lancing with Megan, taking in Cowbottom and Steepdown, was most notable for Sky Larks in full song while holding position into the wind, which if anything had strengthened.  5 Corn Buntings and a Buzzard were also seen, the former benefiting from singing from perches.

Best of all a family of 6 Dunocks (2 adults and 4 juveniles) hopping across the garden like a flock of ground babblers, brilliant.

Friday 21 June.  3 juvenile Peregrines on the Power Station nest box ledge.  They don't appear to like each other as they couldn't have been further apart without falling off - one on the NW corner, one on the middle of the southern side and one on the NE corner.  The pair of Ringed Plovers with 3 small chicks on the beach and Sandwich Terns heard offshore in the murk. 

Thursday 20 June.  3 juvenile Peregrines on the Power Station nest box ledge, presumably keeping the adults busy hunting as no sign of them.  No sign of the sitting bird Ringed Plover but a pair on the beach with 3 small chicks, BRILLIANT.   Sandwich Terns heard offshore in the murk, 9 Swifts over the house.

Wednesday 19 June.  An adult and at least two juvenile Peregrines on the nest box, i hope one hasn't fallen off.  Ringed Plover still sitting and 3 Sandwich Terns offshore.

An evening visit to Pulborough Brooks where 2 Little Ringed Plovers (distant as usual), my first Green Sandpiper of the year, two flocks of Long-tailed Tits a Jay and a calling Nightingale.

My third Woodcock census at Lavington.  Lovely evening but just 3 encounters plus three male Nightjars, heard Tawny Owl and 1000 midges.

Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders at Pulborough

Green Sandpiper at Pulborough

Tuesday 18 June.  The other Black Redstart singing from the tower behind Shed 6, Peregrine pair with 3 youngsters (2 flapping vigorously), Ringed Plover on nest, 3 Sandwich Terns offshore and 16 Swifts.

Monday 17 June.  The Peregrine pair have 3 full-sized orangey youngsters,  Black Redstart singing from the Grain Silos, The Peregrine pair with 3 youngsters, Ringed Plover sitting tight on nest (first seen doing so on 31 May, the one time I saw it leave - on 3 June - there were 4 eggs in it), Rock Pipit on the beach and 11 Swifts over our road.