A period of anticyclonic conditions and north east winds has become established over the last few days and is forecasted to continue for the rest of the week. Barely anything is moving off the coast and there are very small number of migrants around too.
The theme of there being more migrants (e.g. Sand Martins, Swallows and Willow Warblers) at the old patch of Beddington Farmlands than here continues which still surprises me but probably explained by the oasis effect of the farmlands in an urban setting, the broad drop zone round here (and in the shadow of the Isle of Wight) and the overall low number of migrants on the move. After chatting with Ian this morning as I get my head around how things work round here, it is the coast line and particularly at the bill that offers the main migration flyway (waterbirds and other migrants that folllow the coast) and migrants (that cross over land) are more likely to overshoot the Peninsula and stop off on e.g. The South Downs than drop on the Peninsula particualarly in finer weather. As March draws to end, so far, this has been my worst March for summer migrants in my entire birding life (despite 38 Ebird checklists submitted this month)- only one Wheatear, one Sand Martin, a couple of LRPs, one Sedge Warbler, two Willow Warblers and a few Blackcaps. Not what I was expecting by finally moving to the south coast and 'escaping' inland birding at last. The grass, for spring summer migrants anyway, is yet to be greener and I've been here for nearly nine full months and despite seeing a good bag of them found by other people I still haven't found a nationally scarce or rare bird. Proving to be a tougher nut to crack than I dreamed up but really enjoying working it all out and will be good to actually size up the scale of the mission and the best way to deal with it.
With enthusiasm for birding quite low it was a good opportunity to get some work done and Matt came over on Sunday and we planted up the car park beds. This morning I joined the Selsey Seawatch but it was very slow
HERE so after a tip off from the Hiunters, I picked up Holly and Isaac and we went for a walk on the South Downs at Westdean Woods where in just over an hour we had Goshawk, Hawfinch, Siskins, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tits and Red Kites. I'm planning on returning here to have a proper look round later in the week while the clear sunny conditions persist.
There's been a few butterflies in the garden including Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone and Small White but the moth trap has been pretty quiet as these anticyclonic conditions create cool nights.
A classic March sight- Adult summer Med Gulls flying over calling. Had about 45 go over the garden on Saturday. Apparantely good numbers are building up on the harbour around Tern Island so hopefully the local colony is re-established this year after a makeover this winter by the RSPB team.
A dribble of migration off the Bill this morning included 4 Shoveler (above), 6 Brents, 5 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver and a few Mips and Woodpigeons. There were still three Great Northern Divers around , a load of Sandwich Terns and some Mergs too.
Unfortunately the Gos was distant at Westdean so this post will have to make do with this Sparrowhawk that flew past me today.
Raven at Westdean
We had a bit of time to kill on the way back from the South Downs so we stopped off at Chichester Gravel Pits and Birdham Pool. Three Pochard at the Chi Pits was the best there and this close Cormorant at Birdham.
A different type of new arrival did arrive this weekend- our new ducks, Pancake and Crumpet and after a bit of chick ICU a third one arrived yesterday- Muffin.
Another new arrival round here this weekend was Kyle's (our neighbour) first Emu chick.
It might not be good birding weather but it was nice walking weather- Holly and Isaac
and some evidence that we did do some work too- a new butterfly border. No birds is good news for getting stuff done.