Scratching around in the Shoreham area (21-26 August)

Wednesday 26 August. I cycled to Hove for an early dental appointment. It was low tide when I returned home so I packed my scope and cycled down to the Adur. There were small waders feeding on the mud opposite the airport and Coronation Green - Ringed Plover (82 and 16 - annoying to fall just short of 100), Dunlin (9 and 11) and a juvenile Knot at the former. I continued on to Widewater which was very quiet and stopped again along the Adur on the way home. The tide was higher but still not half-way in. The Knot was still present but not as many Ringed Plover or Dunlin were seen and definitely no Curlew Sandpiper. The only other notable species seen was Sandwich Tern - 2 on the way out with them or another 2 on the way back.

Knot with Ringed Plover on the Adur

the well patterned mantle and covert feathers would make this a juvenile

Tuesday 25 August. Megan and I took Cookie to the Adur where we saw 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, 9 Dunlin and Sandwich Tern. ARK seeing a Curlew Sandpiper on the Adur after our visit had me returning before dusk when the tide had dropped to provide some edge but a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was my only addition for the day but made the return visit worthwhile.

Monday 24 August. I took Cookie to Beeding Hill and we walked to Thundersbarrow and Truleigh Hill where we met David Buckingham. On the way home we briefly called in at Mill Hill although nothing was seen in the bushes. Birds seen by me were Stock Dove, a Swift, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, 3 Kestrels, juvenile Hobby, Raven, 26 Swallows, Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, 11 Whitethroats, Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, 16 Wheatears, 2 Corn Buntings and 7 Yellowhammers. 

Whinchat and Wheatear at Beeding Hill

Wheatear on Beeding Hill

almost as bright as a spring male

juvenile Yellowhammer near Truleigh Hill

Redstart on Truleigh Hill

Sunday 23 August. I took Cookie to Mill Hill where we saw 3 Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzards (in the air at once), 2 Kestrels, Peregrine, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap and a Lesser and 4 Common Whitethroats.

Peregrine over Mill Hill

Willow Warbler hiding at Mill Hill

Chiffchaff at Mill Hill

Saturday 22 August. A high-tide visit to the Adur was rather misjudged with most of the saltings under water. I saw Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank and 36 Redshank on the remaining island and 36 Turnstones roosting on boats north of the Norfolk Bridge. A few more of the first three had been seen before I arrived but I'd seen 36 each of Turnstone and Redshank two days before so I might not have missed any of those.

Friday 21 August. I seawatched at Widewater from 06:25-07:55 in strong SW winds. During that time flying west I saw single Common Scoter, Oystercatcher and Fulmar, 78 Gannets and a Balearic Shearwater. The latter was not that far out but soon disappeared into troughs - a process of elimination bird which is never very satisfactory. Calling in at the Adur I saw 32 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin and a Yellow-legged Gull which flew down the river.