West Sussex (22-31 August 2025)

Friday 22 August 2025. Beeding Hill triangle: 07:55-12:45, with Otis: Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 9 Swallows, 4 Chiffchaffs, Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Redstarts, 9 Whinchats, 3 Stonechats, 13 Wheatears, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipits, 45 Linnets, 21 Goldfinches and 6 Corn Buntings.

Whinchat along the Monarch's Way in Warren Bottom

Wheatear at Truleigh Hill

Otis on the Downs near Truleigh Hill

Saturday 23 August 2025. Borde Hill Gardens with Megan, Josh, Selina and Otis: Long-tailed Tit and Firecrest.

fruit bronzes at Borde Hill

Sunday 24 August 2025. Lancing Hill/Ring/Steepdown 06:40-11:20, with Megan and Otis from 09:30 by which time it was very quiet. 2 Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, Jay, 3 Skylarks, 22 Swallows, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser and 10 Common Whitethroats, male Redstart, Wheatear, 5 Linnets and 8 Goldfinches.

Lesser Whitethroat on Lancing Hill

Monday 25 August 2025. Mill Hill 06:15-08:50: 3 Stock Doves, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Peregrine, 6 Swallows, Cetti's Warbler (heard), 4 Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaff, 18 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser and 19 Common Whitethroats, 6 Yellow Wagtails (flying south) and 4 Goldfinches. Dacre Gardens-Bramber with Megan and Otis: 2 Little Egrets, Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroats and a Linnet.

sunflower field from the Downslink near Botolphs

Tuesday 26 August 2025. Mill Hill 06:10-08:55: 2 Stock Doves, Buzzard and Green Woodpecker heard, Kestrel, Jay, 7 Swallows, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaffs, Reed Warbler, 24 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser and 18 Common Whitethroats and 4 Goldfinches. 

Wednesday 27 August 2025. Adur with Otis: Black Swan with 4 Mutes, 4 Lapwings, 66 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 12 Redshank, 200+ Black-headed, 3 adult Mediterranean, 43 Great and 3 Lesser Black-backed and 720 Herring Gulls.

Mediterranean Gulls on the Adur

Thursday 28 August 2025. Mill Hill 06:45-10:10 (last part with Megan and Otis): 3 Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard heard, Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 2 Swallows, Cetti's Warbler heard, 3 Long-tailed Tits, Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs, Reed Warbler, 18 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser and 14 Common Whitethroats, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtails, Tree Pipit and 3 Goldfinches. 

Hot Air Balloon drifting east over Mill Hill

first time I've seen one with an invisible basket

Blackcap on Mill Hill

Yellow Wagtails on Mill Hill

Wheatear on Mill Hill

Tree Pipit on Mill Hill

Friday 29 August 2025. Shoreham Fort/Harbour with Otis. The eclipse drake Eider, 10 Turnstones, 100+ Herring Gulls and an immature Shag.

Great Black-backed Gull on the Western Arm of Shoreham Harbour

I was late getting onto this presumed Shag as it disappeared around the Eastern Arm at Shoreham Harbour

fortunately what was presumably the same bird appeared on the East Arm to confirm my thoughts

Saturday 30 August 2025. Mill Hill, 06:40-08:50: 2 Stock Doves, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Peregrine, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, a Lesser and 12 Common Whitethroats, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Goldfinches and 2 Corn Buntings. Brooklands with Megan and Otis: 6 Little Grebes and 8 Blue Tits.

Long-tailed Tit on Mill Hill

Spotted Flycatcher in the wood on Mill Hill 

juvenile and adult Corn Buntings on Mill Hill

Green Woodpecker and Woodpigeon on Mill Hill

juvenile Little Grebe at Brooklands

adult Little Grebe sat on a post at Widewater (a first for me, made a nice change from the usual gulls)

Sunday 31 August 2025. Mill Hill, 06:40-08:50: Much quieter than on recent visits with

3 Stock Doves, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, Chiffchaff heard, 12 Blackcaps and 11 Whitethroats. Worthing Pier with Megan and Otis: 2 Little Egrets west.

Sparrowhawks over Mill Hill