Barn Owl & Great Black-backed Gulls (4-10 June)

Sunday 10 June. Megan was going to London for the day so I took Cookie for a walk from Woods Mill towards Streatham Manor. There were still two Nightingales singing along the footpath on the way out onto the brooks and a third a short way along the footpath to the north. I saw two of the three which seemed a good return. Certainly better than my none out of two heard Cetti's Warblers. A Barn Owl was hunting just east of the old railway line at Streatham Manor, coming close on a couple of occasions. It was almost certainly the same day-flying bird I'd seen there on 18 May. Lapwings were much in evidence over one of the barer fields - I saw at least 12 and three almost full-grown chicks. Other warblers included 2 Reed (one carrying a metal ring) and 2 Lesser Whitethroats and I saw 3 Reed Buntings and a Yellowhammer. An enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. Later I took Cookie down to the Adur for low tide. Few gulls, and most sitting ruling out any ring reading, and 2 Oystercatchers the only waders. Otherwise 19 Mute Swans and 2 Little Egrets. Back home the Great Black-backed Gull family were on the roof behind and so far just 2 Swifts.

Barn Owl near the old railway line

I had seen one here on my previous visit (18 May) and it seemed likely it was the same bird

it being the same was confirmed when I saw it too had the same missing primary

although it wasn't always obvious

today I saw the owl flying from approximately 09:25-09:30, 10:00-10:15 and at 10:30.

it has always been one of my favourite birds and good views in daylight are brilliant, focusing on it (sometimes) with a bridge camera even better

missing feather showing particularly well

Nightingale at West Hill

in the darkest corner possible

Yellowhammer

Saturday 9 June. Megan and I took Cookie to Cissbury seeing 2 Lesser Whitehroats and single Swift, Green Woodpecker and Yellowhammer. Back home the Great Black-backed Gull family were on the roof behind. Later at Greatham I saw Cuckoo, Cetti's, 7 Reed and a Sedge Warbler but then failed to find any Woodcock at Lavington. Four Nightjars there were some compensation, although views could have been better. A Green Woodpecker and Yellowhammer were also seen and a distant Tawny Owl was heard.

Sky Lark at Cissbury

walking around Cissbury on a warm day was thirsty work

Lavington plantation

 Friday 8 June. Megan and I took Cookie to Wolstonbury seeing very few birds but Fly and Greater Butterfly Orchids and Twayblades were nice. At home the Great Black-backed Gull family were on the roof behind and at least 19 Swifts were seen.

Fly Orchid at Wolstonbury

commoner orchids at Wolstonbury

Twayblades

Greater Butterfly Orchid

Sky Lark at Wolstonbury

looking E from Wolstonbury

looking NE from Wolstonbury

Great Black-backed Gull adult and chick

 Thursday 7 June. A Hobby flew low over the lock-gates as I was cycling home. At home the Great Black-backed Gull family were on the roof behind and at least 7 Swifts were seen.

Great Black-backed Gull chicks back on the nest before dusk

Wednesday 6 June. I took Cookie to Lancing where we walked to Cow Bottom and back via Steepdown. 31 Swifts feeding over the Downs and I also saw 4 Buzzards, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Swallows, a House Martin (only my second record this year), 15 Sky Larks, 4 Meadow Pipits, 4 Whitethroats and 7 Corn Buntings. Back home in the evening the 2 Great Black-backed Gull chicks had left the nest and were on the roof under supervision of the adults.

Corn Bunting at Steepdown

Meadow Pipit at Steepdown

rarely have I been as impressed seeing one

Great Black-backed Gull - adult and chick

both chicks, one showing its enormous feet

Tuesday 5 June. Two Great Black-backed Gull chicks were on the nest with both adults in attendance but only 4 Swifts were seen over the garden during a couple of brief looks.
Monday 4 June. One of the Great Black-backed Gulls was still sitting on the nest of the roof behind our garden while the other looked on. Later an impressive 30 Swifts were chasing around high above us.

Great Black-backed Gulls with the two chicks just about visible in the nest

Great Black-backed Gull was proved to breed in Sussex for the first time in 2000 although was strongly suspected of having done so in the previous two years. This is now the second year that a pair has bred on a roof behind our garden ...