West Sussex (05-16 February)

Wednesday 05 February. Mill Hill with Megan and Otis: Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Skylark (heard) and 5 Song Thrushes.

Thursday 06 February. Adur with Megan and Otis: 2 Teal , 88 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 13 Redshank, Kestrel and 8 Linnets. Woods Mill/Mill Stream/Downslink: 150 Canada, 101 Greylag, 5 White-fronted and 20 Egyptian Geese, 8 Shoveler, 80 Wigeon, 14 Pintail, 320 Teal, Stock Dove, Water Rail, 50 Lapwing, Green Sandpiper (heard), a Great and 2 Little Egrets, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Jay, 6 Blue and 8 Great Tits, Nuthatch, 3 Redwing, 10 Dunnock, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chaffinches and a Greenfinch.

Water Rail at Woods Mill

17 Egyptian Geese over the Downslink, a further 3 were seen on Henfield Levels

Great Egret on Henfield Levels

White-fronted Geese on Henfield Levels, two adults on the left, the others presumed juveniles 

Friday 07 February. Widewater with Otis: male Eider (landed on sea from west, presumed the long staying harbour bird), 3 Little and 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Coot, Oystercatcher, 7 + 45 prob. Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, adult Mediterranean Gull (flew W), 4 Red-throated a Black-throated and an unidentified Diver.

Black-throated Diver off Widewater

Sunday 09 February. Boardwalk/Fort with Megan and Otis: Great Crested Grebe and 4 Turnstone. Middle Road Open Space with Otis: 2 Jays.

Monday 10 February. Shoreham Harbour east side with Megan and Otis: Rock Pipit.

Rock Pipit at Shoreham Harbour East Arm

Tuesday 11 February. Adur (Dacre Gardens to Coombes) with Otis: Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret and Peregrine. Tottington Woods with Otis: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 10 Blue, 4 Great and 6 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Nuthatches, Treecreeper, 13 Blackbirds and a Song Thrush. Tesco Express: female Lord Derby's Parakeet.

Common Sandpiper on the Adur below Dacre Gardens

Wednesday 12 February. Mill Hill with Megan and Otis: Buzzard, 2 Skylarks, 9 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes., 3 Redwing, 4 Chaffinches and 2 Goldfinches.

Thursday 13 February. Adur approaching high tide with Megan and Otis: 90 Lapwing, Greenshank, 3 Meadow Pipits and 3 Goldfinches. Crown Road: 2 Stock Doves.

Greenshank by the Dogs Trust

Friday 14 February. Widewater with Otis, 09:30-11:30: Mute Swan 28 and Teal 18 on lagoon, Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea, Ringed Plover and 47 Dunlin on the beach, Gannet 1 E and a pair of Stonechats by the car park.

Saturday 15 February. Steepdown with Megan and Otis, 09:45-11:45: Single Red Kite, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, a flock of 175 Skylarks and a Corn Bunting.

juvenile Robin on Steepdown

Sunday 16 February. Rewell Woods 06:50-12:20: 2 Goshawks, 2 Buzzards, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal and Marsh Tits, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Chaffinches, 70+ fairly mobile Hawfinches, 2 Bullfinches and 15 Greenfinches. Burpham and the Burgh: 5 Cattle Egrets, 7 Red Kites, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Buzzards, 3 Grey and a Red-legged Partridge, 10 Skylarks, Chiffchaff, 3 Song and a Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail, 6 Chaffinches, 15 Greenfinches, 40 Linnets and 10 Goldfinches but no sign of the 2 Bewick's Swans at Burpham or any Hen Harriers at the Burgh which was disappointing.

Grey Wagtail at Burpham