Window to Wildlife

 After some household chores, we had a late morning start as we set out for a farmland walk, hoping to target some common species which I had not yet seen in W. Sussex this year. With the wearyingly damp and gloomy conditions we’ve experienced of late, the birds were neither abundant nor singing well. However, we gradually gathered some of the regular finches and tits as we progressed along the muddy track, and noted a Red Kite drift over and a Sparrowhawk disappear low across the field. As we approached the gate, we were surprised to find the Cirl Bunting singing in the exact same spot where we had encountered it two years ago. This was a very pleasing and unexpected find, although we were aware the bird had overwintered in the locality. A Green Woodpecker undulating across the field with a flash of yellow rump was also a welcome sight , as we had heard plenty this year, but  not managed to see one until today. Cirl Bunting (from previous visit) As we continued on we could he...

 With an Sdos outing coming up in the next few weeks and work ongoing around the boardwalk, we decided to do a ‘recce’ visit to Warnham reserve. The weather started fine, but mizzle gradually drifted in, reducing visibility. Nevertheless we had an enjoyable morning with a couple of new annual ticks as an added bonus. Looking out over the pool, there were small flocks of Tufted Duck and Pochard, with an interesting hybrid Pochard looking rather striking. A single Great-crested Grebe swam at the back of the lake together with a few Coots. A Lesser Black- backed Gull loafed amongst the usual species. Continuing on to Bullfinch Hide, the sound of twittering Siskins as we approached was unmistakeable. There were good numbers in the treetops, as well as birds making use of the feeders and gathering seed from the ground. A lovely Bullfinch came to the feeders too, together with regular finches and tits, Nuthatch and a nice male Reed Bunting, transitioning into breeding plumage. Bullfinch ...

 Today we headed across to Pagham Harbour again, this time with our granddaughter in tow, eager to try out her new scope, gifted by the Shropshire Ornithological Society, after her recent talk on her first year of birdwatching. We started at Church Norton, on a rising tide, arriving a little later than hoped due to me forgetting my binoculars and having to go back for them! There were lots of birds on view, making use of the rapidly depleting spits of land. Grey Plovers were joined by Knot and Dunlin in tight flocks, and we just had time to scan a line showing very well before the rising tide pushed them off to a more distant point. On Tern Island, a group of Redshank and Oystercatchers were joined by three Bar-tailed Godwits. A Curlew, Greenshank and a small group of Shelduck were feeding at the margins of the saltmarsh nearby, and a few Pintail, Wigeon and Teal were seen here too. We moved on to Sidlesham, eating lunch overlooking the feeders at the visitors centre, where regular...

 We spent an enjoyable afternoon at Pagham Harbour with our daughters, hoping to find them some interesting waders. Starting at Ferry Pool, there appeared to be little of note, with regular species of wildfowl and plenty of Lapwings roosting on the banks. However, the girls enjoyed looking through the scopes and noticing the incredibly detailed plumage patterns on the male Teal, the stunning colours of the Shoveler, and the bold yellow stripe on the face of the Wigeon. It was a reminder to us of just how beautiful these ducks actually are. Suddenly many of the waders took off. We scanned without success for a raptor, but did note a group of smaller waders flying amongst them. As they resettled we scanned with our scopes and managed to pick out around ten Golden Plover mingled amongst the Lapwing. An excellent result. A quick scan of the creek added Redshank, and at the feeders a Great Spotted Woodpecker joined the regular tit species coming and going for food. After lunch at a near...

 We were lucky to get another break in the constant rain as we met up with Sue at Pulborough Brooks for a morning’s birding. The brooks were inundated with water, looking more like an inland sea, with these conditions having some impact on the birds seen. Pulborough Sea! We started well on the zigzags with good sightings of many common species, the highlight being a pair of Bullfinches perched briefly atop the trees. Approaching Fattengates, a noisy pair of Wrens drew attention to themselves, and showed remarkably well. Wren Outside Westmead Hide, plenty of Redwings foraged in the bushes, but we failed to find any Fieldfare throughout the reserve. There were hardly any perching points or islands near the hide, with the top of a gate at mid distance just poking over the top of the water. Amongst the usual wildfowl species, we noted around six Pochard, diving ducks that are not often seen here, and a reflection of the high water levels. There were no waders, including Snipe, which ha...

 We made the most of a day without rain, and headed to Hayling Island with Bernie and Steve, looking out into the channel from the oyster beds. As we got out of the car we were serenaded by a Song Thrush, a lovely harbinger of Spring. A few Goldfinches twittered and Greenfinches wheezed as we proceeded along the track. We set up our scopes to scan the water, with the tide rising but still some way out. There were plenty of Brent Geese feeding at the edges of the water, and amongst the tidal weed Oystercatchers and Curlew meandered, probing for food. In the deeper water, we found good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers, with their scruffy heads, some Goldeneye pairs and plenty of Great-crested Grebes, many now in breeding plumage. Amongst these, a female Long-tailed Duck swam fairly close to the shore, its striking white facial pattern showing very well. A male Greater Scaup was another excellent bird, and both were new for 2026. Curlew We walked a little further along the track, pa...