Local Goldeneye, Purple Sandpiper and Greenshank (21-31 January 2024)

Sunday 21 January. Southwick Canal with Megan and a poorly Cookie: Cormorant 10, Stonechat 2 (male and female).

Tuesday 23 January. Buckingham Park with Megan and Cookie: Jackdaw 125.

Wednesday 25 January. Brooklands with Megan and Cookie on the way back from another vet visit: Teal 5, Goldeneye 1, Little Grebe 2, Jay 1, Cetti's Warbler 1 heard.

Goldeneye still at Brooklands

Thursday 25 January. Southwick Canal with Megan and Cookie: Little Grebe 1, Kittiwake 1 adult (flew low east up the canal), Great Northern Diver 2, Shag 1, Stonechat 1 female.

immature Great Northern Diver at Southwick Canal

both Great Northern Divers

Shag at Southwick Canal

Friday 26 January. Widewater with Cookie, Great Crested Grebe 1 W, Guillemot 1 W (close), Razorbill 2 W (fairly close), unidentified auk 14 E, Red-throated Diver 21 E, 5 W & 7 on sea, unidentified diver (no reason to suspect not Red-throated) 9 E, 1 W, Raven 4 E (high over lagoon). Dusk visit to Monarch's Way west of Steyning with David Buckingham: Woodcook 1, Buzzard 2+, Tawny Owl male and female heard, Merlin 1, Fieldfare 90, Redwing 30, Corn Bunting 5.

Saturday 27 January. Lancing Ring with Megan and Cookie: Sparrowhawk 1, Buzzard 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 heard drumming,  Kestrel 1, Jay 1, Long-tailed Tit 3, Redwing 1, Stonechat 1, Meadow Pipit 4, Linnet 15, Reed Bunting 2.

Sunday 28 January. Shoreham Fort with Cookie: Turnstone 5, Purple Sandpiper 1, Red-throated Diver 42 E: 2 W, Rock Pipit 1.

Purple Sandpiper at Shoreham Harbour West Arm

Monday 29 January. Adur with Megan and Cookie in thick fog: Lapwing 102, Dunlin 45, mystery bird 1 S. At dusk the female Lord Derby's and male Ring-necked Parakeets were above the Sullington Way bus stop prior to roosting.

Tuesday 30 January. Adur (Old Toll Bridge-Coronation Green-Saltings-Dogs Trust-Airport circuit on a rising tide and with an improving Cookie: Teal 31, Little Grebe 1, Lapwing 127, Grey Plover 1, Curlew 1, Dunlin 5, Redshank 10+, Greenshank 1, Great Black-backed Gull 51,  Lesser Black-backed Gull 7, Little Egret 1. Later Stock Dove in our garden.

Greenshank in the Houseboat Channel

I first saw it wintering here in November 2015

Wednesday 31 January. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie (bouncing back as much as a 15 year old can although her prognosis isn't good, not an ideal time for me to be flying to Panama for a twice postponed trip): Buzzard 2, Kestrel 1, Linnet 1.