Catching-up

I've been really bad with posting things to my blog of late, so thought I'd best catch up with the last few months!

In February I finally caught up with some local Waxwings in Worthing and then amazingly a very showy Snow Bunting at Gap Goring - whilst the Waxwings remained for a good few weeks unfortunately the Snow Bunting was gone after 1 day. Topping off a few good weeks!

Snow Bunting

Waxwing

Last Saturday (13th) I did a bit of volunteering - 'hides and trails' - at Pulborough Brooks. Arrived a bit too early but nonetheless still headed out onto the reserve to see what was around. Lots of newly arrived migrants, including up to 5 Nightingales, loads of Chiffchaff, and also my first Swallows and House Martin of the year. What with the lack of leaves on the trees, I managed some cracking views of singing Nightingales!

Nightingale

On Tuesday, a day off work saw my wife and I up at Beachy Head - the promise of good weather soon turned to disappointment with grey skies and drizzle welcoming us on arrival at Birling Gap. Soon after, the fog rolled in and visibility was reduced to a mere few metres! Nonetheless, we still managed to chalk up a few decent birds, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Stonechat, Sparrowhawk and at least 2 stunning Firecrest, the latter feeding amongst the leaf litter in Horseshoe Plantation.

Firecrest

On the 20th I was back at my parents and a brief trip to Coate Water CP saw my first Common Tern of the year and another Common Whitethroat - which I tried hard to turn into a Lesser Whitethroat but to no avail. Again lots of Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers about. Also I saw my first butterflies of the year today: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone (all three in Highworth).

Today (21st) at Arundel WWT, there were lots of singing Sedge and Cetti's Warblers around the reserve - including this very obliging Sedge Warbler. Also 1 Reed Bunting, and good numbers of nesting BH Gulls.

Sedge Warbler

On way home, another quick stop at Warningcamp (third time) was finally rewarded with a brief glimpse of the Glossy Ibis (well it's head anyway!).