wet West Sussex (Shoreham & Arundel 2 November)

Sunday 2 November. A poor forecast and pre-dawn rain put paid to any temptation to travel far.  Ninety minutes at Widewater in a strong SW wind was the expected disappointment (36 Brent and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west) but at least it was fairly sheltered sitting in the entrance to a beach hut.  Back home a break in the weather convinced Megan and I to go to Arundel WWT but our arrival coincided with another set of showers.  At least the hides offered some shelter although our timing wasn't always perfect.  I paid my respects to the Scaly-sided Mergansers, only seeing one but it was much more active than usual.  Two Bullfinches flying over were next best.  Another dry spell at about low tide had me heading back to the Adur.  More gulls were on the airfield (too far to do much with) than the sandbars but those there included a Normandie Greater Black-back I had not recorded before.  The dry spell didn't last either ...

amazing scales

one day, maybe ...

Greater Black-backed Gull 93R, most likely ringed at Le Havre

Pheasant at Arundel.  Too daft to survive outside but an easy life if they stay in with plenty of duck food and no foxes or shooters