Shoreham (25 February-12 March 2024)

Sunday 25 February. Shoreham Fort with Megan and Cookie: Eider 1 immature male.

Monday 26 February. Buckingham Park with Megan and Cookie: Goldfinch 7.

Tuesday 27 February. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie: Buzzard 1, Skylark 2, Goldcrest 2, Linnet 3.

Wednesday 28 February. River Adur/Rec with Cookie: Teal 4, Little Grebe 1, Oystercatcher 6, Lapwing 8, Grey Plover 3, Redshank 8, Great Black-backed Gull 30, Peregrine 1, Skylark 1, Meadow Pipit 2, Chaffinch 1.

Friday 01 March. River Adur with Cookie in heavy rain: Grey Plover 1, Great Black-backed Gull 57 including Normandie colour-ringed 41 D.

Great Black-backed Gull 41D

Saturday 02 March. Brooklands with Megan and Cookie: Little Grebe 5, Cetti's Warbler heard.

Sunday 03 March. Widewater: Mute Swan 27, Little Grebe 1, Great Crested Grebe 2 on sea, Brent Goose 7 E. Adur: Grey Plover 2, Curlew 1, Dunlin 2, Buzzard 1. Crown Road: Sparrowhawk 1.

Wednesday 06 March. Shoreham Fort with Megan and Cookie: Turnstone 3.

Thursday 07 March. Widewater 07:40-09:10, light E, clear: Brent Goose 37 E, Mute Swan 24 on lagoon, Pintail 2 E, Little Grebe 2 on lagoon, Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea, Oystercatcher 2 E, Curlew 4 E, Turnstone 3 on beach, Black-headed Gull 25 E, Red-throated Diver 1 on sea. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie: Buzzard 2, Skylark 4, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 2, Linnet 11, Goldfinch 8. Sullington Way: Ring-necked Parakeet 1 male.

male Ring-necked Parakeet by Sullington Way bus stop

Friday 08 March. Widewater 07:20-09:10, moderate E, hazy: Mute Swan 19 on lagoon, Shelduck 2 E, Great Crested Grebe 8 on sea, Turnstone 2 on beach, Dunlin 5 on beach, Mediterranean Gull 1 adult W, Red-throated Diver 5 on sea & 2 E & 1W, Fulmar 1 E (twice), Gannet 2 E. Town Quay and Adur (afternoon low tide visit): Teal 2, Little Grebe 2, Grey Plover 2, Ringed Plover 1, Dunlin 22, Greenshank 1, Redshank 10, Kestrel 1. Sullington Way: Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female.

Greenshank and Redshank from Town Quay

Lord Derby's Parakeet by Sullington Way bus stop

Saturday 09 March. Widewater 07:10-09:30, moderate SE, cold & clear: Brent Goose 198 E, Mute Swan 2 juveniles E & 16 on lagoon, Pintail 8 E, Common Scoter 3 E, Red-breasted Merganser 2 (male & female) flew in from E landed on sea then departed E, Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea &1 E, Oystercatcher 1 E, Curlew 1 E, Dunlin 4 E, Kittiwake 3 E, Black-headed Gull 12 E, Common Gull 17 E (mostly first-winters), Sandwich Tern 4 E, Red-throated Diver 13 E & 2 W, Fulmar 1 E then W, Gannet 40+ off-shore and E. Lancing Ring with Megan and Cookie: Red Kite 2, Skylark 6, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 3, Corn Bunting 5, Reed Bunting 1. Sullington Way: Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female, Ring-necked Parakeet 1 male.

Brent Geese passing Widewater

Sunday 10 March. Shoreham Fort with Cookie:  Eider 1 immature male, Turnstone 3, Purple Sandpiper 1. Adur Saltings: Teal 16, Grey Plover 1, Curlew 2, Turnstone 14, Common Snipe 72+, Redshank 30, Greenshank 1, Scandinavian Rock Pipit 2.

immature male Eider at Harbour Way

Turnstones and Purple Sandpiper at Shoreham Harbour

Scandinavian Rock Pipits on the Adur Saltings

approaching a spring high tide at the Adur Saltings

Common Snipe, Grey Plover, Redshank and Greenshank on the Adur Saltings

Monday 11 March. Shoreham Fort with Megan and Cookie: Great Crested Grebe 1, Turnstone 1, Chiffchaff heard, Meadow Pipit 14 N, Goldfinch 4.

Turnstone at Shoreham Harbour

missing one foot although it seemed to be managing