West Sussex (06-15 April)

Saturday 06 April. Widewater 06:30-08:30, moderate SE: Brent Goose 14E, Shelduck 2E, Shoveler 10E, Common Scoter 14E, Turnstone 4 on beach, Sandwich Tern 18E, Gannet 2E, Sparrowhawk 1E. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie: Skylark 3, Chiffchaff heard, Blackcap heard.

Sunday 07 April. Widewater 06:40-10:50, moderate/strong SW: Brent Goose 70E, Common Scoter 45E, Black-headed Gull 7E, Mediterranean Gull 118E:1W, Common Gull 40E, Sandwich Tern 9E:2W, Great Skua 2E (08:10 & 09:35), Guillemot 1E, Red-throated Diver 1E, Gannet 4E, Sand Martin 1 in, Swallow 3 in, House Martin 1 in.

Monday 08 April. Cookie was rather poorly, not having eaten since Thursday we took her to Grove Lodge in Worthing. The vet gave her an injection to encourage her to eat and us some nausea tablets for her but didn't expect her to last more than a few days. The medication had no appreciable effect.

Tuesday 09 April. Middle Road: Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female, Ring-necked Parakeet 1 male. Shoreham Fort with Cookie: Eider 1 immature male, Turnstone 23, Purple Sandpiper 1, Peregrine 1, Raven 1, Goldfinch 5. Adur Saltings (almost high tide) with Cookie: Curlew 1, Common Snipe 8, Common Sandpiper 1, Redshank 10, Greenshank 2, Reed Bunting 4 males. Cookie has lost a lot of weight and is still not eating but gamely came to Shoreham Fort and the Adur Saltings with me. She's about 15 (almost half with us) and a tough old thing but cancer, failing kidneys and a dodgy liver, not to mention Cushing's, are proving too much. In February, while I was in Panama, the vet gave her 1-3 months and her time is fast running out.

Turnstones and Purple Sandpiper at Shoreham Fort

Eider at Shoreham Harbour

Greenshank on Adur Saltings

waders on the saltings

Wednesday 10 April. Widewater 06:35-09:15, light W: Brent Goose 7E, Common Scoter 10E, Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea, Black-headed Gull 7E, Mediterranean Gull 118E:1W, Common Gull 40E, Sandwich Tern 9E:2W, Great Skua 2E (08:10 & 09:35), Guillemot 1E, Red-throated Diver 1E, Gannet 4E, Sand Martin 1 in, Swallow 3 in, House Martin 1 in. Cookie was noticeably weaker and we took her to the vet a final time. She weighed 9.2 kgs (her normal weight being about 13). Very sad, she was put to sleep and slipped away very quickly and peacefully. On our way home we stopped at Brooklands, somewhere we'd often taken Cookie and it seemed strange not to have her with us. I saw the long staying female Goldeneye, Little Grebe, 2 Jays and excellent views of a Cetti's Warbler with 4 others and a Chiffchaff heard.

Thursday 11 April. Widewater-Beach Green 07:30-09:30, poor visibility: Mute Swan 22, Wheatear 1. Adur with Megan: Oystercatcher 4, Turnstone 5, Kestrel 2, Skylark heard. West Mill/Downslink: Egyptian Goose 4, Shoveler 14, Gadwall 1, Wigeon 4, Pintail 3, Teal 15, Cuckoo heard, Lapwing 6, Cattle Egret 2, Grey Heron 5, Little Egret 16, Red Kite 1, Green Woodpecker heard, Raven 2, Skylark heard, Cetti's Warbler 1 + 1 heard, Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 5, Nightingale 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Linnet 5, Yellowhammer 2, Reed Bunting 1 male. Middle Road: Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female, Ring-necked Parakeet 1 male.

early morning Wheatear at Widewater

Kestrel at Shoreham Airport

Nightingale at West Mill

Friday 12April. Widewater 06:50-08:20, light SSW, clear: Common Scoter 26E, Oystercatcher 1W, Kittiwake 2W, Mediterranean Gull 7E, Common Gull 40, Sandwich Tern 13E:9W, Common Tern 1E, Fulmar 1w, Gannet 8, Wheatear 11 on beach. Pulborough RSPB with Megan (somewhere we couldn't take Cookie so hadn't visited for some time): Cuckoo heard, Avocet 6, Great Egret 1, Jay 1, Cetti's Warbler heard, Blackcap 2, Whitethroat 1, Nightingale heard. West Mill/Downslink: Shoveler 10, Wigeon 5, Black-necked Grebe 2 in full summer plumage, Great Crested Grebe 1, Lapwing 1, Cattle Egret 1, Grey Heron 4, Little Egret 8 (5 on nests), Great Egret 1, Buzzard 2, Cetti's Warbler heard, Chiffchff 1, Blackcap 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Nightingale 1.

Wheatear at Widewater

Black-necked Grebes on Henfield Levels

Great Egret at West Mill

Saturday 13 April. Cowbottom triangle including Lancing Hill TQ1806 South Downs Farmland Birds Monitoring: Stock Dove 1, Red Kite 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Peregrine 1, Skylark 25, Blackcap 4, Whitethroat 1, Stonechat 3, Wheatear 1, Chaffinch 2, Greenfinch 1, Linnet 29, Corn Bunting 16, Hare 1. I'd been unaware of the Eastbound A27 road closure until I reached Lancing Manor on my way over. Coming home through Lancing and along the seafront took almost 80 minutes.

Wheatear on Lancing Hill

Buzzard over Cowbottom

Stonechat at Cowbottom

Red Kite over Steepdown

Sunday 14 April. West Mill/Downslink: White-fronted Goose 4, Egyptian Goose 2, Garganey 1 male, Shoveler 19, Gadwall 2, Teal 25, Cuckoo heard, Lapwing 4, Common Snipe 1, Greenshank heard, Cattle Egret 2, Grey Heron 4, Little Egret 10, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard, Skylark 3, Cetti's Warbler 3 heard, Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1 + 1 heard, Nightingale 2 heard, Linnet 5, Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting 4. Megan and I went to the cinema in Worthing on the bus. Returning it was non-stop to Shoreham via Washington to avoid the Eastbound A27 closure.

Garganey on Henfield Levels

Monday 15 April: Widewater 06:50-09:20, strong WSW: Common Scoter 2E, Red-breasted Merganser 2W, Whimbrel 1W, Grey Plover 2W, Bar-tailed Godwit 6W, Mediterranean Gull 7E:3W, Sandwich Tern 7E:1W, Fulmar 3W, Gannet 11, Hobby 1 in, Wheatear 3-5 on the beach.

Wheatear at Widewater

Mediterranean Gull off Widewater

 

Cookie 2009-2024

Cookie was a rescue dog we adopted in December 2016. I had reservations but she very quickly won me over. She was very good natured, intelligent, perhaps a bit cheeky and hardly caused any problems while she was with us, or for those we persuaded to look after her when we were abroad. She provided company for Megan when I was away and encouraged me to go out on days that I might otherwise have stayed in.

December 2016: our first visit to the Adur

January 2017: not wanting to be left behind at Shoreham Harbour (she wasn't)

Church Norton July 2017: not very keen on Twitching (Elegant Tern)

Christmas 2017: lots of snacks

Cissbury June 2018: quite a drinker

Mill Hill June 2019

Beeding Hill June 2020: Red-footed Falcon found with Cookie on one of our regular walks

Widewater October 2020: not a keen seawatcher

Knepp July 2021: making new friends

perhaps not

September 2021: Cuckmere paddle 

Shoreham March 2022: home

No Man's Land February 2023

Petworth July 2023: With Nessa, Megan and Elmer

Beeding Hill October 2023: Barred Warbler found with Cookie on one of our regular walks

April 2024: cancer, failing kidneys and liver taking their toll

West Sussex (21 March-05 April 2024)

Thursday 21 March. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie: Buzzard 2, Chiffchaff 2, Stonechat 1 male, Goldfinch 6. Widewater: Wheatear 10 on beach (mostly males), Meadow Pipit 1. Adur: Curlew 1, Common Gull 120.

Wheatears at Widewater

Friday 22 March. Shoreham Fort: Eider 1 immature male, Great Crested Grebe 1 in harbour, Oystercatcher 3, Turnstone 1, Purple Sandpiper 1, Cormorant 1 adult sinensis, Raven 1. Park Avenue: Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female (male Ring-necked not seen).

Continental Cormorant at Shoreham Fort, a striking bird

immature drake Eider in Shoreham Harbour

Purple Sandpiper on the wooden jetty at Shoreham Fort

Saturday 23 March. Southwick Canal with Cookie. Raven 1. 

Sunday 24 March. Lancing Ring with Megan and Cookie: Stock Dove 2, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1, Skylark 6+, Chiffchaff 3, Corn Bunting 5.

Monday 25 March. Widewater 06:50-09:20: Brent Goose 205E, Common Scoter 9E, Great Crested Grebe 1, Oystercatcher 1E, Mediterranean Gull 1 adult E, Sandwich Tern 8E, Red-throated Diver 3E & 1 on sea, Gannet 9 off-shore.

Brent Geese passing Widewater

Tuesday 26 March. Shoreham Fort with Cookie 09:30-11:00: Brent Goose 77E, Common Scoter 108E, Eider 1 immature male, Great Crested Grebe 1 in harbour, Turnstone 8, Sandwich Tern 1 E, Great Northern Diver 1 on sea, Red-throated Diver 7E & 2on sea, Gannet 4E. Cormorant 1 adult sinensis, Raven 1. Crown Road: 5 Stock Doves on our lawn.

the striking Continental Cormorant still at Shoreham Harbour

Wednesday 27 March. Widewater 07:10-09:15: Brent Goose 38E, Teal 2E, Common Scoter 22E, Great Crested Grebe 3 on sea, Oystercatcher 1E, Mediterranean Gull 2 adults E, Sandwich Tern 1E, Arctic Skua 1E (dark morph), Red-throated Diver 4E, diver sp. 3E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 5E. Adur: Mediterranean Gull 1 second-summer, Cormorant 1 adult sinensis. Sullington Way: both Lord Derby's and Ring-necked Parakeets.

second-summer Mediterranean Gull on the Adur

Thursday 28 March. Brooklands with Megan and Cookie: Goldeneye 1 female, Cetti's Warbler 2 heard, Chiffchaff heard.

Goldeneye at Brooklands

Friday 29 March. Widewater 06:55-08:30: Brent Goose 80E, Common Scoter 42E, Red-breasted Merganser 2E (male and female), Great Crested Grebe 1W & 1 on sea, Little Gull 1 close juvenile E, Mediterranean Gull 14E (10 adults & 4 second-summers), Sandwich Tern 1E, Arctic Skua 1E (dark morph), Red-throated Diver 4E, diver sp. 3E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 5E.

Saturday 30 March. Widewater 06:25-08:35: Brent Goose 44E, Canada Goose 2E, Mute Swan 14 juveniles W, Egyptian Goose 3E, Common Scoter 39E, Great Crested Grebe 4E and 5 on sea, Turnstone 11 on beach, Mediterranean Gull 6E (4 adults & 2 second-summers), Sandwich Tern 9E, Red-throated Diver 2E, Cormorant 1 adult sinensis, Wheatear 1 female on the beach. Rackham with Megan, Nessa, Chris & Cookie: Shoveler 20+, Wigeon 30+, Teal 10+, White-tailed Eagle 1 distant sub-adult (Solent hopper), Buzzard 2, Coal Tit 2, Nuthatch heard.

Sunday 31 March. Widewater 07:25 BST-09:25: Brent Goose 10E, Canada Goose 4 drifted E, Common Scoter 173E, Great Crested Grebe 1E & 1 on sea, Curlew 1W, Turnstone 11 on beach, Kittiwake 1E, Mediterranean Gull 2E (adults), Sandwich Tern 21E, Red-throated Diver 2E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 2E, Wheatear 1 on beach, Meadow Pipit 8E. Mill Hill: Buzzard 1, Peregrine 1 overhead & 1 on chimney, Skylark 3, Chiffchaff 4, Song Thrush 2, Robin 10, Linnet 3, Goldfinch 5.

Canada Geese passing Widewater

Monday 01 April. Widewater 07:20-09:20: Common Scoter 32E, Great Crested Grebe 1E & 1 on sea, Mediterranean Gull 2E (adults), Sandwich Tern 4E:1W, Red-throated Diver 3E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 3, Kestrel 1. 

Rampion

Tuesday 02 April. Mill Hill with Cookie: Buzzard 1, Peregrine 1 on chimney, Skylark 4, Chiffchaff 1, Mistle Thrush 1, Linnet 2, Goldfinch 3.

Linnet on Mill Hill

Wednesday 03 April. Rackham (two visits): Shoveler 30+, Gadwall, Wigeon 120+, Teal 100+, Red Kite 1, Green Woodpecker 1 heard, Merlin 1, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 1 heard, Coal Tit 1, Treecreeper 1, Nuthatch 1. TQ0310 South Downs Farmland Bird Survey: Grey Partridge 3, Red-legged Partridge 4, Stock Dove 27, Woodpigeon 70, Red Kite 3, White-tailed Eagle 1 (near adult Solent hopper), Buzzard 2, Raven 1, Skylark 4, Chiffchaff 1, Chaffinch 6, Linnet 25, Goldfinch 2.

Hare near the Burgh

near adult White-tailed Eagle near the Burgh

Thursday 04 April. Widewater 07:00-08:30: Brent Goose 35E, Turnstone 7 on beach, Bar-tailed Godwit 1W, Sandwich Tern 4E, diver sp. 1W, Fulmar 3W, Gannet 3W. Mill Hill: Skylark 3, Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1.

Friday 05 April. Middle Road: Stock Dove 2 in garden, Lord Derby's and Ring-necked Parakeet pair Sullington Way.

Cookie on Mill Hill

Peregrine over Mill Hill