Back to normal in Shoreham - no birds (17-22 June)

Monday 22 June. Megan and I took Cookie up to Mill Hill, we saw a Buzzard, Jay, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat and heard Sky Lark and Lesser Whitethroat. Five Swifts were seen over the garden in the evening.

Buzzard over Mill Hill

Goldfinch at Mill 

Small Tortoiseshell

Sunday 21 June. Megan and I took Cookie to Shoreham Fort seeing Lesser Black-backed Gull at Harbour Way, Sandwich Tern and Gannet off the beach and a Great Black-backed Gull with two chicks on a roof near Beach Green Stores. Two Swifts were seen over the garden in the evening.

Lesser Black-backed Gull at Harbour Way

the same bird looking much paler mantled, clearly a graellsii

Wall Lizard at Shoreham Fort

Saturday 20 June. Megan and I took Cookie up to Lancing Ring and Steepdown. Superb views as usual, we saw 7 Sky Larks, 6 Whitethroats, 4 Meadow Pipits and 11 Corn Buntings. Four Swifts were seen over the garden in the evening.

Megan approaching Steepdown

Corn Bunting at Steepdown

Corn Bunting and Poppies at Steepdown

Sky Lark over Steepdown

Megan and Cookie on Steepdown

Friday 19 June. Lacking inspiration after the excitement of the previous week Megan and I took Cookie to Brooklands where we saw the Mute Swan family (now with 6 not 7 cygnets). Kestrel and a Reed Warbler hearing another Reed Warbler and a Mistle Thrush. Two Swifts were seen over the garden in the evening.

Thursday 18 June. Megan and I took Cookie to the Adur where we saw Oystercatcher, Little Egret and Meadow Pipit and heard Sky Lark. Walking back by the Saltings and Adur Rec added a Whitethroat. Three Swifts were seen over the garden during a blustery evening. I was pleased I'd decided to postpone my final Woodcock survey.

Wednesday 17 June. More in homage to the departed Red-footed Falcon than on the off-chance it was still about I took Cookie up to Beeding Hill car park and we walked the triangle to Thundersbarrow, Truleigh Hill and back. The route we would have done a week ago until the said Red-foot stopped us in our tracks. Today was business as usual with 5 Stock Doves, 2 Buzzards, 300+ Rooks, 8+ Sky Larks, 7 Whitethroats, 2 Meadow Pipits, a male Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Buntings. Seven Swifts were seen over the garden in the evening.

Meadow Pipit singing on Beeding Hill