7th January: Local birding

 We started the day with a short drive to Southwick Harbour, where the Long-tailed Duck that arrived in December had reappeared after a few days absence around New Year. Concerns had been raised that the bird had fishing line in its mouth, but that seems to have resolved itself now. It was actively feeding at a short distance from us, giving excellent views. 

Long-tailed Duck

We returned to Shoreham for a circuit around the river, hoping to pick up some of our regular waders. A scan across the RSPB reserve, revealed good numbers of Redshanks and the overwintering Greenshank, aggressively chasing one that had strayed onto his patch! At the Norfolk Bridge, Oystercatchers, with their vibrant orange bills and legs and stark black and white plumage were instantly recognisable even from some distance. Turnstones were typically well camouflaged on the shellbanks, but once located could be seen busily foraging amongst the stones for small crustaceans. Further downstream near the airport were around 80 of our regular Lapwings, dotted along the riverbank and huddled on the mudflats exposed by the low tide. Many of the regular gulls were loafing here, but we couldn’t pick out either Caspian or Yellow-legged which are sometimes reported by our local gull experts.

As we returned on the west bank footpath, a small flock of Skylarks flew across the saltmarsh before settling to feed and a couple of Meadow Pipits also alighted on the old track in the middle of the vegetation. Towards the water’s edge we spotted the head and long bill of a Curlew. Tim also had a Snipe but neither Sue or I managed to get on to this.

As we approached the Ropetackle area, I spotted a Kingfisher hovering over one of the tidal pools, and we managed good views through the bins as it alighted on one of the mooring ropes. 

It was still early, so we drove to Goring Gap in the hope of some more waders. In the field were around 100 Dunlin busily drilling into the mud and 15 Ringed Plovers. A few Mediterranean Gulls were loitering in the gull roost, another new tick. We had hoped for Sanderling on the beach, but no luck, all we could find were dog walkers.

Dunlin

Undeterred we continued on our meanders, driving a short distance to Ferring Rife, where an obliging Water Rail stood right out in the open, in the middle of a ditch. Also of interest, was a leucistic Starling.

Water Rail

Leucistic Starling

Our last stop was Patching Pond, where the only birds seven were Mallard sand Coot. Nevertheless, a good half day of birding, with a good variety of birds seen and a satisfying number of new ticks!