Thursday 20th August: Thorney Island

 This was the first Shoreham District Ornithological Society outing since lockdown began, way back in March. We led a small ‘bubble’ to ensure social distancing, starting at 08.30. The scrub habitat alongside the footpath was perfect for migrating birds, with bramble and elderflower bushes laden with berries. However, few birds were seen this morning, just the odd Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler. A small group of Mediterranean Gulls and five late Swifts flew overhead.

We reached the Emsworth Channel on a rising tide and there were plenty of waders feeding on the exposed mud, predominantly Turnstones, Black-tailed Godwits in assorted colours as they moult from summer to winter plumage,  and Greenshank, with a few Curlew and Whimbrel also present. Some Common Terns were soaring and diving, catching fish in the channel. In The Deeps we found Little And Great Crested Grebes, together with Gadwall and Tufted Duck,  plus a number of Coot. Herons and Little Egret were perched at the water’s edge and a few Redshank were also seen. A family of Mute Swans had taken over the lower footpath, the cygnets looking like a pile of soft sacks thrown on top of each other! 

We returned to the car park and collected our lunch then walked across to the other side of the island. There were good numbers of Curlew on the wet fields, but as we watched they all suddenly swirled upwards in flight, a sure sign there is a raptor about! A quick scan revealed the culprit - a magnificent Osprey who put on a splendid display for us all, circling directly over our heads, swooping low down to the water attempting to catch a fish and resting briefly on a lighting post. They really are wonderful birds.

We continued on towards our lunch spot, passing a herd of cows with a flock of Cattle Egrets dancing around their feet. A few Grey Plover stayed as long as they dared on a mudbank rapidly disappearing beneath the tide, looking stunning in their bright summer plumage. Small birds had been in short supply throughout the morning, but as we retraced our steps a couple of Wheatear, Linnets and Meadow Pipits were added to our tally. The photos below were taken by SDOS member Kevin M.