Wednesday 14th October: Sussex birding

We headed to the west of the county and enjoyed a glorious morning at Pagham Harbour today with blue skies and shining sun, and not too much wind. It was lovely to see the return of some of of our winter birds, with Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal and Lapwing all present in good numbers. A few elegant Pintail were swimming in the channel and winter-plumaged Great-crested Grebes were a further sign of the change in season. There were plenty of waders about too, including good numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Curlew, which are generally present. A few Ringed Plover and Dunlin were mixed with two Avocet, Grey Plover and a fair sized flock of Golden Plover, not reliably seen at this site, so very pleasing to observe.

After lunch we set out for home, when we received a message that immediately changed out plans - Bearded Vulture (also known as Lammergeier) near Beachy Head, at the eastern end of the county! This was the bird that had spent much of the summer in the Peak District, before moving slowly south through Lincolnshire, Peterborough and most recently Tunbridge Wells. There followed a nerve racking journey, with slow moving traffic and regular updates on the movements of the bird. Would it hang around long enough for us to see? 

We drove to High and Over, a high viewpoint that allowed good views across the valley towards Friston Forest where the bird had been reported. Together with a small group of other birders, we picked the bird out in the distance, high in the sky. Gradually the bird flew closer and began to descend, with a flock of corvids in hot pursuit. It drifted towards us, then disappeared to the left. As we scanned, it suddenly reappeared above the bushes right in front of us, unbelievably close giving incredible and unforgettable views. Through our scopes we were able to track it soaring across the valley for over an hour before it landed in a distant field. Eventually it took off again and continued its meanders around the valley, constantly mobbed by corvids and also Buzzards, looking tiny in comparison to this huge bird with its extensive wing span.

Unfortunately the attached photos against the sky don’t capture the colours of the bird, but hopefully give a sense of it’s huge size and distinctive flight pattern. It was a breathtaking encounter we shall never forget.