White Out

It was a bit of a wipe out today with fog/mist lingering for most of the day. I had planned to do the Bill first thing and then 'do' the harbour but a change in plan was necessary as the sea at the bill was not even visible and visibility was down to about 50 meters across the whole harbour. Nonetheless I gave it go (a Cattle Egret was in the field opposite our house as I left which is the first on the deck round here for me) and started off at Ferry, then did Halseys to Owl Copse and Bremere Rife and then I went home for a bit as it was pretty hopeless viewing. 

In the late morning I went over to East Side and then finished off at the Spit. Ebird list from today HERE. I still managed 75 species but the count of 1641 individuals is well off - I couldn't see any of the big wader flocks. The highlight of the day was a clear arrival of Chiffchaffs even including one seemingly coming in-off at Pagham Spit with Les. I counted up to 16 individuals with several birds singing with 10 between Halseys and Owl copse area, 4 on East side footpath bushes and 2 on the spit. I also had the Bullfinch (year tick) calling at Owl Copse with Mike and a few other bits included a Spotted Redshank, 36 Snipe (15 Ferry and 21 East side), the Green Sandpiper on Ferry, a Sandwich Tern in with the gulls, my first Kingfisher in a few weeks and good numbers of Linnets on East side.  

The Bullfinch puts me on 137 for the Sussex year HERE which I think is 133 for the Peninsula (I've seen Great White Egret, Marsh Tit, Mandarin and Goosander at Arundel). Bullfinch also a world year tick so now on 510. There's a chance I might get to 1000 this year as got trips planned to Ghana and Namibia and also Bulgaria. That is if the world as we know it doesn't end before, oil reached 120 dollar a barrel recently and no sign of things in the Middle East ending soon with the global economy teetering on chaos. There's a strong argument to get in a large year list while you still can (avoiding Dubai transfers!).  

Chiffchaffs (above and below)- several had clearly been drinking pollen and I watched several on the Blackthorn blossom

Male Goldcrest- a few of these seem to be on the move recently 

Spotted Redshank

Sandwich Tern- it was giving me 'Cabot's vibes' with those white primary edges and black shaggy crest so need to revise up  

Black-tailed Godwits- one of the only waders that are progressing rapidly into summer plumage

Grey Wagtail looking good in summer plum

Seems like Robins may also be on the move with quite a few prominent today

White out wipe out