Shoreham and Beachy (28-31 August)

Tuesday 31 August. Megan and I took Cookie down to the Adur. On a falling tide between the A27 and Houseboats we saw 3 Shoveler, a Teal, 6 Oystercatchers, 12 Lapwings, 47 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 6 Turnstones, 8 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, a Greenshank, a Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail.

Shoveler on the River Adur, opposite the airport. Unusual here

another Shoveler on the Adur, this one by Ricardos

Wheatear on the made up riverbank by Shoreham Airport

flushed by Cookie

Monday 30 August. I made an early visit to Mill Hill where I was later joined by Megan and Cookie. In a stiff N/NE wind I saw single Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, 8 Swallows, 3 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, a Lesser and 11 Common Whitethroats, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and 55 Goldfinches.

Sunday 29 August. I spent 10 hours at Beachy, the first six or so with Matt Eade. Very pleasant walking around and a few nice birds but nothing of real note and rather frustrating failing to find a Wryneck when several were found in Sussex. I saw 3 Swifts, 4 Sparrowhawks, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Merlin (Cow Gap), Hobby (Michel Dene), 2 Ravens (Crowlink), 40 Sand Martins, 100+ Swallows, 13 Willow and a Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warblers (Frances Bottom), a Lesser and 16 Common Whitethroats, 8 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Redstarts, 16 Whinchats, 17 Stonechats, 29 Wheatears, 29 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits and 100+ Goldfinches.

Grasshopper Warbler in Frances Bottom

nice of it to sit out even if it was a bit distant and against the light

Merlin in Cow Gap

one of three Spotted Flycatchers in Flathill Bottom

Saturday 28 August. Megan and I took Cookie to Steepdown. Walking up to Lancing Ring I flushed 2 Grasshopper Warblers, within 100m of each other, from the grassy slopes by the path into nearby scrub where both showed briefly. An unexpectedly good start that failed to continue. Walking out usual circuit I saw Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, 2 Ravens, single Swallow and House Martin, 4 Whitethroats, a Whinchat, 4 Stonechats, a fly over Yellow Wagtail and 4 Corn Buntings.

Whinchat from Steepdown

Raven over Steepdown

UPDATE: Tuesday 24 August. News back about Mediterranean Gull 3RPA seen on the Adur on 24 August - a widely reported bird.