Shoreham (8-14 July 2013)

Sunday 14 July.   A visit to Shoreham Fort produced and adult Mediterranean Gull, 7 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns off-shore and 2 Ringed Plover on the beach.  A Swift and three Swallows flying west were the only things moving although a Common Gull on the sea was the first I've noticed for a while. Another two Mediterranean Gulls, a well-travelled colour-ringed Herring Gull, four Little Egrets, 27 Mute Swans and two Stock Doves on the Adur.

Mediterranean Gull on the flat-calm sea off Shoreham Harbour

Herring Gull TM9T, the wanderer, see http://birdingneversleeps.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/tm9t-wanderings.html

drying time

breakfast

2CY Mediterranean Gull on the Adur, distant and in heat haze

Adur gulls

adult Mediterranean Gull on the Adur, its all red bill and full hood makes it different from recent adults in the area. 

Saturday 13 July.  On early walk from Lock Bridge to West Grinstead and back I saw a Turtle and 11 Stock Doves, Little Owl, Kingfisher, 2 Jays, 2 Bullfinches and 8 Yellowhammers.  A brief stop at the Adur on my way home added two Black-tailed Godwits and two Mediterranean Gulls.  Later 20 Swifts were over our road.

uncooperative Little Owl near West Grinstead

Turtle Dove near Lock Bridge, it flew out of a field into this tree.  If it was calling I couldn't hear it.  It didn't give good views in the tree either, and soon dropped from sight.

Two Black-tailed Godwits on the Adur.  This time the western bank was the wrong one to be on for the light.

highly plumed Little Egret on the Adur

3CY Mediterranean Gull on the Adur

Friday 12 July.  The adult female Peregrine on the Power Station chimney and 20 Swifts over our road.

Thursday 11 July.  Both adult Peregrines on the Power Station chimney, 15+ Swifts over our road and a Stock Dove in the garden.  So much for my hope that the adult male might have taken the two juveniles away somewhere.  I now fear for their survival as I've not seen them for almost a week.  

Stock Dove on our lawn

Wednesday 10 July.   The female Peregrine on the Power Station chimney, 25 Swifts over our road and a Stock Dove in the garden.  A low-tide visit to the Adur was my best for about two months, producing a Black-tailed Godwit and two Mediterranean Gulls as well as the more usual 3 Little Egrets and 27 Mute Swans.

Black-tailed Godwit on the Adur by Shoreham Airport

I was on the wrong river bank for the light

Tuesday 9 July.  An unreadable North Thames colour-ringed Herring Gull amongst 300+ loafing on Southwick Beach on my way home, the female Peregrine on the Power Station chimney and 20 Swifts over our road.  I returned to the beach later with telescope but the tide had come in a bit, there were more people and no gulls at all.

Monday 8 July.   Two unreadable North Thames colour-ringed Herring Gull amongst 400+ loafing on Southwick Beach on y way home.  Also a hooded 3CY Mediterranean Gull, the female Peregrine on the Power Station chimney and 25 Swifts over our road.