An initially damp and gloomy morning greeted the nine members who attended this local walk. Cutt Mill Pond was the first destination. It held a good selection of ducks with five drake mandarins really catching the eye with their extravagant plumages while a couple of females lurked in the fringes. Close by were a pair of goosanders, the first of the autumn for most. the complement of ducks was completed by handfuls of shovelers and mallards. One each of great crested and little grebes were spotted as was a grey heron perched high in the bordering trees. A visit to the far end of the pond paid off when a kingfisher flashed by in a blur of blue. Next stop was the tarns which added tufted ducks, coots and black-headed gulls to the day list but they were otherwise quiet. A stroll through the woods followed as did a considerable improvement in the weather. Sadly bird numbers grew in inverse proportion to the emerging sun. On the walk to the bronze age camp only a red kite was seen and the call of a nuthatch heard. The views from the top of the ridge were stunning but the dearth of birds continued through the heathland area until finally a solitary stonechat was seen in the distance, followed by the glimpse of a buzzard and the call of a green woodpecker. A couple of tits, blue and long-tailed completed the tally. A final list of 27 species was well below the norm for the location, leading to the reflection that the unseasonably mild weather was having a major effect on bird numbers.
Category: Walks
West Wittering 13 November 2022
Eleven members attended the walk around East Head and Snowhill Creek/Ella Nore in good weather though the promised sun did not materialise until late morning. Some parts of the route were more productive than others because of weekend crowds with particular highlights being avocets, snipe and golden plovers. Other waders identified included black-tailed godwits, redshank, dunlin, greenshank, grey plovers, oystercatchers, curlews, turnstones and lapwings. Among the many species of songbird seen were greenfinches, meadow pipits, skylarks, linnets and stonechats. Brent geese were ubiquitous as usual and an unseen Cetti’s warbler made its unmistakeable presence known. Great amusement came from a harbour seal christened by one wag with the name of Bob, because of his action in the water.
Sheapleas 27 October 2022
The traditional autumn fungi walk took place in good weather and was well attended. There was a huge array of specimens to be found within easy reach of the car park and the list of those identified totalled over fifty. Perenial favourites such as fly agaric, turkey tail, amethyst deceiver and magpie inkcaps were greatly appreciated while considerable enjoyment was derived from the ingenuity of the names of less familiar species such as wood woollyfoot, hairy curtain crust, scurfy twiglet, blushing bracket and lemon disco. Particular interest was generated by one family that is carnivorous, attracting nematodes to sticky traps and growing through them to absorb proteins not available in rotting wood. Many specimens proved to be very photogenic as evidenced by the numerous excellent photographs subsequently circulated.
Farlington Marshes 8 October 2022
Superb weather attracted seventeen members who enjoyed unbroken sun and the lightest of breezes throughout the visit. Because of the rescheduling of the walk the tide was not ideal as water had already covered the harbour but the effect was helpfully to concentrate the birds. On the lake were spectacular numbers of redshank, dunlin and black-tailed godwits as well as greenshanks in double figures. On the fringes were two scarcities, a curlew sandpiper and a little stint that could be identified by its tiny size compared with the dunlin roosting next to it. Fortunately the sightings took place before first a sparrowhawk and then a peregrine caused a major rearrangement of the waders. Meanwhile bearded tits were pinging around the reeds and snipe were contending for attention with a water rail on the muddy fringes; the latter unusually took to the air at one point. Then a kingfisher put on a command performance, flying close, hovering, diving for fish and perching on several posts within range for photographers. On the circuit of the seawall a single island remained above the water level; it was packed with birds. A count of the curlews reached 130 and oystercatchers were similarly numerous. A couple of grey plovers and four golden plovers were also identified while increasing numbers of Brent geese swan on the harbour or flew in small skeins. A big surprise on the circuit came when a knot, apparently disorientated, suddenly landed on the path in the midst of the group. Lunch at the Deeps allowed time for leisurely scanning. This paid off with views of stonechats and a wheatear and the amazing sight of an osprey flying right overhead. Brief glimpses of a Dartford warbler in brambles were another surprise before a search of the ditch near the bunker yielded two green sandpipers, something of a disappointment for those who were hoping for a view of the vagrant spotted sandpiper reported at that location the previous day. The grazing meadows revealed four cattle egrets among the herd. The concluding walk across the marsh was productive with a little grebe, a few common gulls and excellent views of more greenshanks shining in the sunlight. Towards the end two yellow wagtails popped out from the feet of some cattle as a bonus sighting. A wonderful walk yielded a large species list of 70 birds.
Titchfield Haven 2 October 2022
A heavy downpour greeted the four hardy souls who defied the forecast of several hours’ rain. A scan of the shore and Solent did not improve the outlook as there was only a sprinkling of waders on the shingle. A handful of ringed plovers flitted around with a couple each of redshanks and turnstones among them. Two little grebes were an unexpected sighting at the edge of the sea while two great crested grebes could be seen further out. Some resplendent drake eiders were a cheering sight but after a fifteen-minute soaking a reviving cup of coffee beckoned. After the break the rain eased and from then the group was treated to a bright autumn day. Small numbers of ducks were seen at the river head including gadwall, shovelers and teal. The walk along the seawall to the west side delivered some nice birds, a common sandpiper, a rock pipit, a wheatear and eighteen recently arrived Brent geese. The Meon hide sported two curlew sandpipers that offered close views in good light. Redshanks, black-tailed godwits and dunlin pottered around in the mud while numerous lapwings indulged in their customary swoops. Several snipe were hiding in plain sight around the edges while a water rail scuttled briefly from cover. A flock of ringed plovers came off the sea with three sanderlings in their company. Stonechats were perched on the reeds and a yellow wagtail shot over. A lunch in the visitor centre (alas likely to be closed at the end of the year!) was followed by a walk along the east side. The river hide was unusually productive; two kingfishers were active, a sandwich tern flew along the river and swallow numbers increased markedly with the odd house and sand martin among them. Raptor contributions came from a sparrowhawk soaring above and a hobby hawking over the reeds. The meadow hide provided the final treat with three marsh harriers allowing prolonged views. It was a splendid walk with a list of 61 species.
The Burgh 24 September 2022
Despite a poor weather forecast of a chilly start, 40% chance of rain and frisky winds from the north, the group was soon taking off jackets and walking in near full sunshine for the rest of the day. The sunshine and warmth brought out a number of butterflies including wall, speckled wood, clouded yellow and large white. Near the dew pond there were several common darter dragonflies about.
Birds of prey included kestrels, peregrines (two jousting in the afternoon), buzzard (five wheeling in one thermal), a female marsh harrier quartering a field and putting up three grey partridges, numerous red kites, while a ring-tailed hen harrier gave brief views before drifting out of sight. Ravens were present, three seen and others heard kronking. Skylarks were singing and there were good numbers of swallows and house martins, often quite low.
Good views were had of yellowhammers, chaffinches and goldfinches with several flocks of linnet chattering overhead. A jay flew over and chiffchaffs were calling with at least one individual singing. The wooded areas revealed long tailed tits, wrens, robins, blackbirds, goldcrests, blue tits and great tits. A perched meadow pipit gave good scope views before it flew off and a green woodpecker was heard. As well as grey partridges there were red-legged partridges, outnumbered by pheasants.
Less flighty sightings included Arundel Castle, the expanding wind farms off Shoreham and the Butlins towers at Bognor. All this prompted the group leader to give a much-appreciated lesson on taking bearings at sea! A splendid walk produced 38 species identified.
Oare Marshes 17 September 2022
The rescheduled walk at Oare Marshes attracted only four members, attendance being discouraged no doubt by the disruptive roadworks on the route and the biting north wind. The tide was low and few birds were on the mud near the causeway, just a handful of curlews and lapwings plus a ringed plover. The seawall though held a large flock of starling engaged in a feeding frenzy among the seaweed. A solitary wheatear bounced by jauntily and a single great crested grebe fed on the Swale. The creek held two shelducks while a greylag flew over, the only waterfowl seen during the walk. The wrecked boat afforded a roost to perhaps sixty redshanks but that sector otherwise offered little but some goldfinches and meadow pipits and the squeal of a water rail. Almost no birds could be seen on the East Flood until the hide allowed a view of a curlew sandpiper soon joined by two others. Despite hopes of a closer view the sandpipers could not be seen from the road though two dunlins offered opportunities for confusion between the two species. A final scan of the mud back at the causeway was productive only for the two sandwich terns that were feeding alone the Swale. The list of birds identified totalled 37.
Pulborough Brooks 11 September 2022
Nine members began the walk on the heathland side of the reserve in rather unpromising mist and gloom. A Sparrowhawk flying over in the car park and Stonechat out in the meadow at the viewpoint were seen but the woods and heathland were otherwise quiet. The pond and fields by the Visitors Centre yielded a Buzzard perched in a dead tree and some Linnets flying around. The emergence of a warming sun soon increased activity and the feeders in the picnic area were quite busy with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch and Chaffinch.
The Zig Zag path held a flock of Goldfinch while a Bullfinch called but unfortunately did not show. In Fattengates Courtyard a very confiding Chiffchaff was picking flies off the lily pads in the pond. Nuthatches, House Sparrows, Dunnocks and a Bank Vole came to feed on the sunflower seeds left out on a couple of logs.
A clockwise walk round the wetland trail to West Mead hide provided good views of a Spotted Flycatcher perched on a dead tree making sorties out to pick off passing insects. A Blackcap was also seen briefly. A group of chats at a distance in the haze presented an identification challenge to distinguish a Winchat from Stonechats. West Mead hide was very quiet probably due to the lack of water in the scrapes.
The main draw at Redstart Corner was the Dragonflies and Damselflies around the pond. Through the day Brown Hawker, Common Darter, numerous Migrant Hawker and a couple of Willow Emerald Damselfly were seen. From Winpenny hide a very restless group of Teal was flying around along with a flock of Lapwing and, grazing in a more settled manner, were flocks of Canada and Greylag Geese.
Initially Little Hanger hide was quiet, but then a Marsh Harrier appeared and proceeded to fly close by giving great views. And then the alert was given to a large raptor that proved to be a White-Tailed Eagle. It flew around in a leisurely manner for several minutes creating panic amongst all the other birds, a treat for all.
From Hanger View Black Tailed Godwits and two Ruff could be picked out. A few Grey Herons stood like statues. Ducks were quite tricky to identify as they were in non-breeding plumage but seemed to be mainly Teal and Mallard with a few Shovelers, Pintails and Wigeon amongst them. A falcon shot by and then appeared overhead leading to the probable identification of a Hobby. Birds added to the day’s list subsequently were a Kingfisher and Reed Bunting.
In all 49 bird species were identified, while numerous butterflies including Small Heaths, Brown Hairstreaks, Clouded Yellows, Speckled Woods, and Green Veined Whites added to a packed day.
Sidlesham 3 September 2022
The eleven members who met at RSPB Pagham Harbour for the inaugural walk of the new season were soon given a baptism of water as they set off along the path towards Church Norton. A brief but heavy downpour quickly ensured that everyone was fully alert! Thereafter the weather was excellent – bright with a pleasant cooling breeze – and everyone soon dried out.
Unfortunately, the tide was stubbornly low for the duration of the walk, so many of the waders were roosting quite far out. However, a creditable total of 55 species was chalked up, not including the Sedge Warblers seen only by one member of the party.
Star sightings of the day were the Peregrine causing Lapwing panic at the Ferry Pool, the Whinchat in the field adjoining the path to the beach at Church Norton, and the summer-plumaged Grey Plovers on the harbour. The field behind the hide was also productive with a Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatchers showing well. Overall the new walks programme was off to a promising start.
Frensham Little Pond 7 July 2022
Eight members met in initially unpromising weather with a chill in the air and some light drizzle. We were soon spotting mixed flocks of tits in the car park including blue, great, long-tailed and coal tits while a nuthatch was heard. By the cafe and Warden’s cottage there was much bird activity allowing the addition of great spotted woodpecker, chaffinch, stock dove and treecreeper to the list. We also spent some time trying to get a clear sighting of a possible spotted flycatcher but without luck. The reed beds around the pond were quiet, but out on the water common terns were fishing in the company of a pair of great crested grebes with an almost fully grown youngster. A brief moment of excitement came as a kingfisher flew low over the water while all around chiffchaffs were singing and at one point a lesser black-backed gull flew over. On the heathland areas were the first of a few stonechats. We were also soon enjoying the antics of a family group of six Dartford warblers as they flew in and out of the heather and gorse; in all we saw ten, an impressive number. Other sighting included linnet, goldfinch and whitethroat. Back at the pond we had extended views of a reed warbler which at one point was uncharacteristically sitting in the open in a pine. A group of six swallows flew over supplementing the occasional swifts on the wing in small numbers. By the end we had a list of 33 and the realisation that the conclusion of the walk was much warmer than the start.