Lockdown birding
It is now six weeks since ‘lockdown’ began, curtailing our usual birdwatching excursions and limiting us to either viewing from the garden or daily exercise walks from home. Fortunately, we are located in a prime area, with access on foot to a variety of habitats including coast, river, farmland and downland. The lockdown also coincided with the start of the spring migration season, so despite constraints we have been able to add to our annual bird list and maintain this additional interest on our local walks.
Week 1
Lockdown began on Tuesday 24/3 and in the garden I spotted my first Blackcap of the year - two grey males in the rose bush at the front of the house.
On Thursday 26/3 we ventured across to the beach, hoping for Wheatears. No luck there, but as we returned, feeling somewhat disappointed, I put the bins up to a ‘little brown job’ flying into a bush in front of a block of flats. Imagine the jubilation when this turned out to be a newly arrived Black Redstart. Result!
Week 2
Tuesday 31/3 we headed from home up to the downs, walking via Mill Hill nature reserve, through Erringham Farm then home. Although we had no new birds, this was a lovely outing following the weekend indoors, with the joyous song of skylarks filling the air and lifting our spirits. Bouncy linnets were plentiful too and a Chiffchaff was in full song.
Wednesday 1st April we tried a new route along the river, past Lancing College to Lancing Ring, then home via Coombes Farm and the river again. There appeared to have been a ‘fall’ of Song Thrushes with at least ten seen in the paddocks. Once again we were serenaded by skylarks, soaring up from the yellow rapeseed which glowed in the morning sun. And on the river, a boldly marked Shelduck was fairly unusual for this location, although obviously common elsewhere.
Friday 3rd April, back to the beach, walking across Ferry Bridge then on to Widewater Lagoon. This time we did manage our Wheatear tick, seeing three gathered on the shingle, flying frequently up to the next set of grounds as people or dogs approached. A Sandwich Tern off shore, bill pointing downwards in characteristic feeding pose, was also a new tick for the year.
Week 3
On Monday 6th April the sun shone gloriously, and I sat out in the garden observing the wildlife, including a friendly Robin, House Sparrows gathering nesting materials and the shenanigans of a pair of Blue Tits who are building a nest in our box with camera. Suddenly my attention was caught by a melodic, descending song from the neighbour’s fruit tree - Willow Warbler. Binoculars out, and we were eventually able to pinpoint the supercilium (eye stripe) and telltale pink legs, distinguishing it from the similar Chiffchaff. Our first of the year.
Tuesday 7th April and we were back again to Lancing Ring where we found Black Redstarts in the paddocks and Corn Buntings perched on the fence as we crossed the fields, calling out their distinctive ‘jangly keys’ tuneless song. A tiny Long-tailed Tit disappeared into the bramble with a mouthful of nesting material. As we joined the riverside path, a flurry of bird activity included good views of a Cetti’s Warbler, a fleeting view of Water Rail descending into the ditch with legs trailing, and our first Sedge Warbler of the year.
On Wednesday 8th a couple of Swallows flew over - not our first, having had an unseasonal sighting at Abberton Reservoir with Andy on 1st January, but these were our first local birds. On Thursday 9th we were back to Mill Hill and beyond, returning via the river. The highlight from this trip was Common Whitethroat, obligingly poised at the top of a hawthorn bush and advertising its presence with its scritchy scratchy song.
Week 4
A repeat of previous routes to Lancing and the river at the start of the week included highlights of two Red Kites overhead and two Grey Partridge.
We diverted slightly further down the river on Thursday 16th April to Bramber and Beeding Brooks. These damp areas were full of Cetti’s Warblers, bursting forth with their explosive song from almost every bush. With great patience, we were able to pinpoint our first Reed Warbler, which eventually worked its way to the top of a reed affording good views. Sedges in hedges were also showing well. Yellowhammers shone in the sun and we were thrilled to hear the iconic call of the Cuckoo at Bramber. Tim spotted the bird sitting in a distant tree, but as we watched it took off and flew towards us, enabling fantastic, close views. I was particularly struck by the white spots on the tail edges, which I had not remembered from previous sightings.
Week 5
Although we were now into a pattern of regular walks to the same locations, we continued to see new and different birds each time. On Wednesday 22nd April, back at Mill Hill, we were tipped off to a singing Nightingale and stood for some time listening to this mesmerising and evocative song. This is not a site where these birds stay, lacking any damp areas and with quite high disturbance levels, but the bird did hang around for a few days, so others in our birdwatching group were able to also enjoy this iconic summer migrant.
The following day we headed towards Lancing yet again. Our new bird today was a Swift, passing overhead in rapid flight.
Week 6
We ventured further afield on Wednesday 29th April to a new location, walking along the beach as far as Brooklands Park. Over the lake we were pleased to find both House Martins and Sand Martins hawking for insects. On the sea, there was a good movement of Sandwich Terns, but we noticed one bird which was smaller and darker, with some black on the wing tips- a Common Tern. As we passed Widewater, three waders stood clustered together - a Dunlin, Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit, all looking magnificent in colourful summer plumage.
Back to Lancing on Friday 5th May, noting five Sandwich Terns tracking down the river, with an occasional plunge dive into the water. As we passed the foot of Shoreham airport Tim spotted a Whinchat sat atop a bramble bush, another new first sighting. We continued on the footpath to Lancing clump, where a Lesser Whitethroat was singing loudly but proving elusive in a flowering hawthorn. A Great-spotted Woodpecker drummed in some tall trees nearby. As I scanned the treetops, I was amazed to stumble upon a Hobby perched on a branch. I just managed to get Tim onto this before it was chased off by a couple of Magpies, but we both caught a glimpse of the distinctive red thighs as it flashed past and out of sight behind the copse.
Our lockdown list currently stands at over 90 birds, quite impressive I feel, and demonstrating the rich variety on offer around our local patch. Our fitness levels must surely also be improved after so much walking.
Week 1
Lockdown began on Tuesday 24/3 and in the garden I spotted my first Blackcap of the year - two grey males in the rose bush at the front of the house.
On Thursday 26/3 we ventured across to the beach, hoping for Wheatears. No luck there, but as we returned, feeling somewhat disappointed, I put the bins up to a ‘little brown job’ flying into a bush in front of a block of flats. Imagine the jubilation when this turned out to be a newly arrived Black Redstart. Result!
Week 2
Tuesday 31/3 we headed from home up to the downs, walking via Mill Hill nature reserve, through Erringham Farm then home. Although we had no new birds, this was a lovely outing following the weekend indoors, with the joyous song of skylarks filling the air and lifting our spirits. Bouncy linnets were plentiful too and a Chiffchaff was in full song.
Wednesday 1st April we tried a new route along the river, past Lancing College to Lancing Ring, then home via Coombes Farm and the river again. There appeared to have been a ‘fall’ of Song Thrushes with at least ten seen in the paddocks. Once again we were serenaded by skylarks, soaring up from the yellow rapeseed which glowed in the morning sun. And on the river, a boldly marked Shelduck was fairly unusual for this location, although obviously common elsewhere.
Friday 3rd April, back to the beach, walking across Ferry Bridge then on to Widewater Lagoon. This time we did manage our Wheatear tick, seeing three gathered on the shingle, flying frequently up to the next set of grounds as people or dogs approached. A Sandwich Tern off shore, bill pointing downwards in characteristic feeding pose, was also a new tick for the year.
 |
| Wheatear |
Week 3
On Monday 6th April the sun shone gloriously, and I sat out in the garden observing the wildlife, including a friendly Robin, House Sparrows gathering nesting materials and the shenanigans of a pair of Blue Tits who are building a nest in our box with camera. Suddenly my attention was caught by a melodic, descending song from the neighbour’s fruit tree - Willow Warbler. Binoculars out, and we were eventually able to pinpoint the supercilium (eye stripe) and telltale pink legs, distinguishing it from the similar Chiffchaff. Our first of the year.
Tuesday 7th April and we were back again to Lancing Ring where we found Black Redstarts in the paddocks and Corn Buntings perched on the fence as we crossed the fields, calling out their distinctive ‘jangly keys’ tuneless song. A tiny Long-tailed Tit disappeared into the bramble with a mouthful of nesting material. As we joined the riverside path, a flurry of bird activity included good views of a Cetti’s Warbler, a fleeting view of Water Rail descending into the ditch with legs trailing, and our first Sedge Warbler of the year.
 |
| Sedge Warbler |
On Wednesday 8th a couple of Swallows flew over - not our first, having had an unseasonal sighting at Abberton Reservoir with Andy on 1st January, but these were our first local birds. On Thursday 9th we were back to Mill Hill and beyond, returning via the river. The highlight from this trip was Common Whitethroat, obligingly poised at the top of a hawthorn bush and advertising its presence with its scritchy scratchy song.
Week 4
A repeat of previous routes to Lancing and the river at the start of the week included highlights of two Red Kites overhead and two Grey Partridge.
We diverted slightly further down the river on Thursday 16th April to Bramber and Beeding Brooks. These damp areas were full of Cetti’s Warblers, bursting forth with their explosive song from almost every bush. With great patience, we were able to pinpoint our first Reed Warbler, which eventually worked its way to the top of a reed affording good views. Sedges in hedges were also showing well. Yellowhammers shone in the sun and we were thrilled to hear the iconic call of the Cuckoo at Bramber. Tim spotted the bird sitting in a distant tree, but as we watched it took off and flew towards us, enabling fantastic, close views. I was particularly struck by the white spots on the tail edges, which I had not remembered from previous sightings.
Week 5
Although we were now into a pattern of regular walks to the same locations, we continued to see new and different birds each time. On Wednesday 22nd April, back at Mill Hill, we were tipped off to a singing Nightingale and stood for some time listening to this mesmerising and evocative song. This is not a site where these birds stay, lacking any damp areas and with quite high disturbance levels, but the bird did hang around for a few days, so others in our birdwatching group were able to also enjoy this iconic summer migrant.
The following day we headed towards Lancing yet again. Our new bird today was a Swift, passing overhead in rapid flight.
Week 6
We ventured further afield on Wednesday 29th April to a new location, walking along the beach as far as Brooklands Park. Over the lake we were pleased to find both House Martins and Sand Martins hawking for insects. On the sea, there was a good movement of Sandwich Terns, but we noticed one bird which was smaller and darker, with some black on the wing tips- a Common Tern. As we passed Widewater, three waders stood clustered together - a Dunlin, Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit, all looking magnificent in colourful summer plumage.
Back to Lancing on Friday 5th May, noting five Sandwich Terns tracking down the river, with an occasional plunge dive into the water. As we passed the foot of Shoreham airport Tim spotted a Whinchat sat atop a bramble bush, another new first sighting. We continued on the footpath to Lancing clump, where a Lesser Whitethroat was singing loudly but proving elusive in a flowering hawthorn. A Great-spotted Woodpecker drummed in some tall trees nearby. As I scanned the treetops, I was amazed to stumble upon a Hobby perched on a branch. I just managed to get Tim onto this before it was chased off by a couple of Magpies, but we both caught a glimpse of the distinctive red thighs as it flashed past and out of sight behind the copse.
Our lockdown list currently stands at over 90 birds, quite impressive I feel, and demonstrating the rich variety on offer around our local patch. Our fitness levels must surely also be improved after so much walking.
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