River Adur gulls and Mill Hill harrier (13-22 October 2025)

Monday 13 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:45-09:55. 2 Peregrines on Beeding Quarry chimney, 10 Skylarks, 14 Swallows, Cetti's Warbler heard, 11 Chiffchaffs, a secretive Dartford Warbler,  2 Goldcrests, 3 Stonechats, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits, Chaffinch, 24 Crossbill flying NE (14 which landed briefly in the wood +5+5), 29 Goldfinches and a Siskin, Adur at low tide with Megan and Otis: 24 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 89 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Great Egrets flying NE over the Old Toll Bridge. Middle Road Open Space: 2 Chiffchaffs.

Crossbill in the wood on Mill Hill, the only one of a flock of 14 seen before they flew off

secretive Dartford Warbler on Mill Hill

distant Peregrines on Cement Works Chimney

Tuesday 14 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:20-09:25, returning with Otis 10:20-12:20. 5 Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Peregrine, Jay, 8 Skylarks, 9 Swallows, 7 House Martins, Cetti's Warbler heard, 14 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 24 Song Thrushes, Stonechat, 6 Meadow Pipits, Linnet heard, 14 Goldfinches and 13 Siskins. Sadly no sight or sound of the Ring Ousel seen by others between my visits.

Wednesday 15 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:15-09:00. 3 Stock Doves, 80 Woodpigeons, a vocal Common Snipe flying E, 2 Buzzards, Peregrine, Jay, 32 Magpies, 15 Skylarks, 4 Chiffchaffs, a male Blackcap, 15 Song Thrushes, 16 Blackbirds, 2 Meadow Pipits, 13 Goldfinches and Siskin heard. Steyning Round Hill-No Mans Land-Findon Gallops circuit, 09:50-14:30, with Otis: 5 Stock Doves, Common Gull, 2 Marsh Harriers (separate female/juveniles and a smart male), 3 Red Kites, 3 Buzzards, Raven heard, 55 Skylarks, 9 Swallows, 4 Chiffchaffs, 9 Stonechats, a Wheatear, 20 House Sparrows, 8 Meadow Pipits, 5 Chaffinches, 8 Linnets, 45 Goldfinches, 9 Corn Buntings and 4 Yellowhammers. 

Overnight camping on Mill Hill comes in various forms

Yellowhammer at Steyning Round Hill

Stonechat along the Monarch's Way

Thursday 16 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:20-10:40, with Megan and Otis from 09:15. Kestrel, Jay, 10 Skylarks, 3 Swallows, a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, 5 Meadow Pipits, a male Bullfinch, 75 Goldfinches and a Siskin. Adur with Otis: 16:20-17:40. Grey Plover (returning 'white-head'), 20+ Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 112 Great Black-backed and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (3CY & dull/near adult) and a Kingfisher.

near adult Yellow-legged Gull on the Adur

Friday 17 October. Beeding Hill triangle (extended to Truleigh Manor), 08:50-13:20 with Otis. 37 species recorded including: 7 Greylag Geese (flying E over Beeding Hill), Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Little Owl, 6 Kestrels, Peregrine, Raven, 18 Skylarks, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap. 3 Black Redstarts, 14 Stonechats, 7 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chaffinches, 160 Linnets flying E, 45 Goldfinches and 3 Corn Buntings.

one of two Black Redstarts around the transmitter at Truleigh Hill

male Black Redstart at the SW rim of Room Bottom

Saturday 18 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:25-09:00. Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, 4 Skylarks, 4 Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, 7 Crossbills (flew E) and 26 Goldfinches. Rackham with Megan and Otis: 2 Red Kites, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Coal Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaff and Nuthatch heard. Adur predusk low tide gull roost with Otis and MP, 16:45-18:15. Wigeon, 3 adult Mediterranean, 188 Great Black-backed, 650 Herring, 2 Caspian (both second-winters), 3 Yellow-legged (adult, near adult and second-winter, more were seen by others) and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Second-winter Caspian Gull on the Adur, found by Matt Palmer

Second-winter Caspian Gull on the Adur as the light was going

Sunday 19 October 2025. Widewater, 07:35-09:35, moderate SE, clear: Brent Goose 3E & 1 on lagoon, Eider 1 male drifting W offshore, Common Scoter 5E:2W, Mediterranean Gull 2 adults E, Razorbill 12E, unidentified auks 107E:1W, Gannet 27E:7W and a Rock Pipit on the beach. Brooklands with Megan and Otis: 5 Little Grebes, Sparrowhawk, Jay and 3 Chiffchaffs (heard). Adur predusk low tide gull roost 16:45-17:45. 135 Great Black-backed and a first (or possibly second)-winter Caspian Gull.

Eider on the sea off Widewater, expert opinion from Shetland is that it is a drake coming out of eclipse (rather than being oiled) and thus a different bird to the regular Kingston Beach bird, should it still be around. It also has a duller bill.

it was later seen flying west at Worthing

first-winter Caspian Gull on the Adur. The age of this bird caused some discussion, was it a first-winter or retarded second-winter? This was not helped by the fading light making its colours look flatter in the images than through a telescope where the contrast between browner coverts and greyer mantle was more pronounced. Its indisputable all black bill would be unusual in a second-winter but note how clean its head, neck and sides of breast appear.

it had a pale, if not gleaming white, underwing

Monday 20 October 2025. Widewater, 07:40-09:40, moderate SW, variable viz: 29 Mute Swans, a Brent Goose and 3 Little Grebes on lagoon, 6 unidentified auks and 2 Gannets offshore. Buckingham Park with Megan and Otis: Single Jay and Goldcrest. Adur predusk low tide gull roost 116:15-17:45. the white-headed Grey and 35 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 30+ Great Black-backed, 300+ Herring (including NDM) and a different first-winter Caspian Gull and a Kingfisher.

Herring Gull NDM, the colour ring appeared green through a telescope but it is hard to be sure from this image. so far attempts to locate the ringing-scheme have failed

first-winter Caspian Gull on the Adur, showing its colours for the camera in the last rays of sunlight

this bird showed more contrast between its brown coverts and grey mantle and was more smudgy on its neck and breast sides making me happy it was a different bird

nice white underwing

Tuesday 21 October 2025. Lancing Ring/Steepdown with Otis, 08:55-11:45. Red Kite, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, Raven heard, 80 Skylarks, a Swallow, 4 Chiffchaffs, 8 Stonechats, 4 Meadow Pipits, 6 Linnets, 40 Goldfinches and 70 Corn and a Reed Bunting. Adur predusk low tide gull roost 116:30-18:00. 24 Lapwing, c1200 Black-headed, and adult Mediterranean, 12+ Common, 34 Great Black-backed, c950 Herring (including NDM), an adult Yellow-legged and just 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Corn Bunting on Steepdown

adult Yellow-legged Gull from the Old Toll Bridge in fading light

Wednesday 22 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:30-08:45. Stock Dove, ring-tailed Hen Harrier (flew low NE 30m in front of me!!), Skylark, Swallow, Chiffchaff heard, 3 Song Thrushes, Redwing heard, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chaffinches and 26 Goldfinches.

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Sussex and Yorkshire (01-12 October 2025)

Wednesday 01 October 2025. Lancing Hill/Ring, 07:10-11:15, partly with Megan and Otis: Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker heard, Kestrel, 32 Skylarks, 35 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 22 Chiffchaffs, 18 Blackcaps, Goldcrest, 12 Song Thrushes, 8 Redwings, Stonechat, 90 Meadow Pipits, Bullfinch heard, 8 Linnets, Crossbill E, 40 Goldfinches, 8 Siskins and 3 Corn Buntings.

Thursday 02 October 2025. Sparrowhawk over our garden and 11 Little Grebes at Brooklands.

Robin at Brooklands

Friday 03 October 2025. Widewater seawatch, 09:30-11:00, mod/strong SW. 2 Guillemots east and 3 Sandwich Terns, and 142 Gannets west. Adur at low tide with Otis: Brent Goose, 11 Lapwings, a Grey and 62 Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 12 Dunlin and 2 Mediterranean and 119 Great Black-backed Gulls.

mostly Great Black-backed Gulls roosting on the Adur at low tide

they included 4E2, ringed as chick at Saver-Glass, Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, Normandie, France (50°03'N-01°21'E) on 30 June 2025

Saturday 04 October 2025. Shoreham Fort/Boardwalk with Mean and Otis: 7 Turnstone. Adur at low tide with Otis: Brent Goose, 11 Lapwings, 30 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, 56 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Meadow Pipit.

Sunday 05 October 2025. Dacres Gardens/Coombes with Megan and Otis: Common Sandpiper, the Great and 2 Little Egrets, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipits, 4 Linnets and a Corn Bunting. Adur at low tide: Little Grebe, 17 Lapwings, 30 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 42 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Kingfishers and a Kestrel.

Great Egret at Coombes, nice not to see it from Mill Hill

male Kestrel at Coombes

Monday 06 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:45-10:45, Megan and Otis from 09:25. distant Great Egret, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Jay, 7 Skylarks, Swallow, 2 House Martins, Cetti's Warbler heard, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, Goldcrest, 155 Meadow Pipits (small flocks flying W) and 8 Goldfinches. Adur at low tide: 17 Lapwing, 32 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 41 Great Black-backed Gulls, Kestrel and 30 Goldfinches.

Meadow Pipits on Mill Hill

Kingfisher on the Adur

Tuesday 07 October 2025. Steyning Round Hill to No Mans Land and Findon Gallops returning along the Monarchs Way, with Otis, 08:40-12:10, 35 species including a Grey and 8 Red-legged Partridges, Stock Dove, Golden Plover heard, 3 Red Kites, 2 Buzzards, Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, Jay, 2 Ravens, 15 Skylarks, 15 Swallows, 45 House Martins, 13 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, 11 Stonechats (4 males), 25 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Greenfinches, 45 Linnets, 350 Goldfinches (including 2 different flocks of 150-175), 30 Corn Buntings and 5 Yellowhammers. 

Wednesday 08 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:30-09:00. Sparrowhawk, Great Egret (Coombes), Kestrel, 2 Skylarks, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, Stonechat, Mistle Thrush, 7 Meadow Pipits and 8 Goldfinches. Cuckoos Corner-Adur Saltings with Otis, 09:40-12:20. 3 Teal, 17 Lapwing, Whimbrel, 20+ Common Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 40+ Redshank, Greenshank, 2+ Kingfishers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, Jay, Cetti's Warbler heard, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, 80 Meadow Pipits and 9 Goldfinches. Joined Matt Palmer for a tortuous overnight drive to Bempton Cliffs RSPB, picking up Hugh Price in deepest Surrey en route. Slept in Matt's car.

Thursday 09 October 2025. Bempton Cliffs RSPB: 13 Pink-footed Geese flew N, 100+ impure but smart looking Rock Doves, 600+ Gannets, 20 Shags, 2 Peregrines, 8 Tree Sparrows, a Redpoll heard and a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins. We left disappointed after 14:00 and had reached Luton on the M1 when news came through that the White-throated Needletail had reappeared at Filey. We stopped discussed the situation and Hugh wasn't keen on returning so we dropped him at Luton Station and Matt drove us back to Yorkshire. We didn't expect to see the bird, but would rather go back and miss it again than not go and it be seen. Another night in Matt's car.

Friday 10 October 2025. Filey: Guillemot and Sparrowhawk. Scarborough Castle, after a very stressful dash: WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL on view for almost an hour over the upper south footpath. Yorkshire: Red Kite, Buzzard and Jay. Back home by 8pm. Matt later drove down to Penzance. It wasn't really politic for me to go to Scilly too, at least not for a Mourning Dove.

White-throated Needletail over Scarborough Castle

aptly described in the Collins Bird Guide as 'powerful, like a small winged Orca'

Saturday 11 October 2025. Pulborough RSPB fungi trail around Wiggonholt Common with Megan and Otis: a Ruff and 2 Common Snipe from Hail's Viewpoint and Coal Tit and Nuthatch heard.

Fly Agiric on Wiggonholt Common, the highlight of the Pulborough Brooks RSPB fungi trail

Sunday 12 October 2025. Mill Hill, 07:20-09:05. Mostly flying E/NE were 7 Skylarks, 2 Swallows, 6 Meadow Pipits, single Chaffinch and Redpoll, 110 Goldfinches and 6 Siskins with 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests and 3 Stonechats in the bushes. Worthing: Jay and 18 Goldfinches.