Shoreham area (21-26 March)

Saturday 26th. A cold hour at Shoreham Fort but at least there was some movement on the sea. Not much but 44 Brent Geese, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich terns and single Gannet and Fulmar flew east between 7-8am. An hour on the Adur revealed two colour-ringed Herring Gulls and a one-footed Mediterranean Gull that probably had been.

Brent Geese on the move off Shoreham Harbour

Herring Gull J0LT on the Adur. My fourth sighting of this bird on the Adur since November. 

North Thames Herring Gull N5MT. I'd not recorded it before.

one-footed Mediterranean Gull on the Adur

it has a metal ring on its right leg so it seems likely that a colour-ring was fitted on its left. Might it have contributed to the loss of its foot, being more likely to get tangled in fishing-line or attract a biting fish?

a smart bird as always

Friday 25th. Fed up with seeing nothing along the coast Megan and I walked up to Truleigh Hill and were rewarded with two Wheatears and a Raven.

one of two Wheatears near the Rampion pipeline access track at Truleigh Hill. the first Wheatear of the year is always eagerly awaited and usually greatly appreciated although closer views would have been nice ..,

Thursday 24th. Not working but a morning visit to the dentist in Hove allowed me a leisurely cycle checking the beaches for Wheaters. None were seen, the two Peregrines around the Power Station the only noteworthy sighting.

Wednesday 23rd. A Peregrine was on the Power Station and 14 Brent Geese flew west. 

Tuesday 22nd. Two Peregrines were on the Power Station.

Monday 21st. A flock of about 300 Brent Geese flew east at about 07:35 at I was cycling past the King Alfred. A Peregrine was on the Power Station and 2 Ringed Plover on the beach.