going for a Burton (11 January 2014)

11 January.  I cycled down to Shoreham Fort, keen to see the Glaucous Gull that John Cooper had found earlier in the week, but after an hour's looking from 08:15 which produced a Purple Sandpiper and a North Thames Herring Gull (flushed by a dog walker before the ring could be read) I decided to head for Hove Lagoon in the hope of seeing the Grey Phalarope in daylight (if not sunshine).  On the A259 I stopped to scan the entrance to the harbour and saw the Glaucous Gull sat on the inner east arm, unfortunately somewhat against the light.  It soon flew, first east then back west giving better views - quite a brute.  The Grey Phalarope was brilliant, I've never filled a memory card with images so quickly (too many to sort through now though).  I was back home by midday and arranged to meet John King for the afternoon.  We  failed to find the Great Grey Shrike at Greatham despite walking down the riverbank to get a vantage point that wasn't looking into the sun.  A Marsh Harrier and 5 Ruff in with a Lapwing flock were some compensation.  Two Egyptian Geese and 9 Little Egrets were in fields at Shopham Bridge and the Bittern flew into the NE corner of Burton Mill Pond at 16:50, first picked up by Ads.  Earlier a Merlin had rocketted over.

Grey Phalarope on hove Lagoon paddling pool

an absolutely fantastic bird

Glaucous Gull

10 January.  A Peregrine was on the Power Station as it was getting light and the Grey Phalarope was swimming on the Hove Lagoon paddling pool at 07:30 but I couldn't see it at 18:30 on my way home.

9 January.   The Grey Phalarope was swimming on the Hove Lagoon paddling pool at 07:30 and roosting near the edge at 17:30.

8 January.  A Peregrine was on the Power Station as it was getting light and the Grey Phalarope was on the Hove Lagoon paddling pool at 07:35.  A nice stop on my way to work - I watched it swimming around for ten minutes in poor light before dragging myself away.   Cycling back at 18:30 it was roosting about a foot in from the water's edge, just visible thanks to distant street lights.