Sunday 20 October. Back to the reality of birding in Sussex: 2 Jays in Buckingham Park with Megan and Otis.
Monday 21 October. Adur Rec with Megan and Otis: Jay 2 and Chiffchaff 2.
Tuesday 22 October. Mill Hill with Otis: Woodpigeon 550 SW, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 4, Jay, Long-tailed Tit 4, Stonechat 1 male, Bullfinch 1 male.
Wednesday 23 October. Pulborough Woods fungi trail with Megan and Otis: Marsh Harrier 1, Buzzard 1, Nuthatch heard.
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| Yellow Stagshorn on the Pulborough RSPB Fungi Trail |
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| Marsh Harrier on the South Brooks |
Thursday 24 October. Mill Hill, 08:05-11:05, partly with Megan and Otis: Stock Dove 5W, Woodpigeon 400W, Buzzard 2, Skylark 3, Swallow 5E, Long-tailed Tit 5, Chiffchaff, Mistle Thrush 1E, Stonechat 1 female, Meadow Pipit 15, Chaffinch 3, Linnet 6, Goldfinch 2.
Friday 25 October. Adur with Otis: Ringed Plover 54, Dunlin 1. Belle Tout/Birling: Raven 3, Chiffchaff 2, Dartford Warbler 1 poor flight view, Stonechat 2, Desert Wheatear 1 female (presumed immature).
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| female Desert Wheatear near Belle Tout Lighthouse |
Saturday 26 October. Adur with Megan and Otis: Ringed Plover 60, Dunlin 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 2.
Sunday 27 October. Mill Hill: Stock Dove 5, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 1, Skylark heard, Long-tailed Tit 2, Chiffchaff 2, Firecrest 1, Meadow Pipit 2, Chaffinch 3, Goldfinch 2. Sherwood Rough: Goshawk 1 adult, Red Kite 2, Buzzard 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Kestrel 2, Jay 3, Raven 4, Fieldfare 1, Redwing 12, Mistle Thrush 2, Stonechat 1 male, Chaffinch 3, Hawfinch 10, Bullfinch 1 male, Greenfinch 2, Yellowhammer 7.
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| Firecrest at Mill Hill |
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| Hawfinches at Sherwood Rough |
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| Hawfinch and Fieldfare |
Monday 28 October. Mill Hill: Stock Dove 8, Woodpigeon 130, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Kestrel 2, Peregrine 1, Skylark 2, Chiffchaff heard, Meadow Pipit 8, Chaffinch 1. Widewater to Lancing with Otis: Brent Goose 5W, Ringed Plover 57 on beach, Dunlin 1 on beach, Mediterranean Gull 1 adult W.
Tuesday 29 October. Mile Oak-South Downs Way with Otis: Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel 6, Skylark 25, Stonechat 6 (3 pairs?), Meadow Pipit 30, Chaffinch 6, Greenfinch, Linnet 100, Goldfinch 30, Corn Bunting 30, Reed Bunting 2.
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| Stonechat at Mile Oak |
Wednesday 30 October. Mill Hill: Green Woodpecker heard, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush 2. Boardwalk/Fort circuit with Megan and Otis: Eider 1 male, Turnstone 15, Ring Ouzel 1 immature male, Linnet, Goldfinch 3.
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| Turnstone at Shoreham Fort |
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| Eider in Shoreham Harbour |
Thursday 31 October. Southwick Canal with Megan & Otis: Stonechat 1 male, Wheatear 1.
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| Wheatear at Southwick Canal |
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the warm plumage suggested Greenland although most wheatears would look richly coloured compared with the Beachy Desert
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01 November 2024: Widewater to Brooklands and back with Otis: Mute Swans 33 (Widewater), Little Grebe 11, Water Rail, Ringed Plover 57, Dunlin 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Cetti's Warbler heard, Black Redstart 1, Stonechat 1 male, Pied Wagtail 6, Meadow Pipit 1, Goldfinch 1. |
| juvenile/female Black Redstart on the groynes at Eastern Sands |
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| too slow again |
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| it appeared to have a loose feather (see also first photo) |
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| male Stonechat at Widewater |
