Richard

Edburton Road near Tottington Manor Hotel. A sunny field beyond a wooden posted chain link fenceline holding 200 Common Gull. The north facing ‘scarp slope of the South Downs is shrouded with broken mist. The top of the Truleigh Hill antennae mast tower is just visible protruding above the mist and beneath a blue sky

A horse field on Edburton Road, Sussex. Truleigh Hill antennae mast rests atop the north facing ‘scarp slope of the South Downs. Broken mist partly cloaks the hillside

A brief respite from the fog today - Edburton Road, South Downs ‘scarp swathed in mist and 200 Common Gull rest in a sheep field

I’ve been investigating a few rich areas of woodland and farmland near A24 in West Sussex. In calm sunny conditions, pleased to be rewarded with my first views of a local Goshawk yesterday. Too distant for photos so far, but hopefully will be able to get closer sightings in the next few weeks.

Female Marsh Harrier flying high over Bramber heading South West at dusk this evening. A distinctive individual with missing primaries to the left wing.

Marsh Harrier flying high over Bramber heading SW.

Female Merlin again on Beeding Brooks. (Thanks for heads up Jamie @jamko69.bsky.social ) Also 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Reed Bunting and 5 Corn Bunting late this afternoon.

The Burgh today: 2 Ringtail HH interacting. And later into roost, a Ringtail HH at 16.56 and a Male HH at 17.20, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cattle Egret, 3 GW Egret @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

2 Hawfinches photographed at distance. Upper bird shown in profile facing to the right. Lower bird facing towards the observer

Photo taken at distance, showing 2 Hawfinches in top balloon (1 partly obscured behind small branch) and single Hawfinch below, perched in bare tree against a background of coniferous trees.

4 Hawfinches: Photo showing 3 Hawfinches in top balloon (1 partly obscured) and single Hawfinch below (partly obscured) in bare tree.

Single Hawfinch perched in bare tree

Sherwood Rough today was a quagmire: despite heavy machinery carrying out essential forestry maintenance work, good to see at least 8 Hawfinches in a quieter area. Great afternoon viewing quietly with Richard F. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @mallalieum.bsky.social

Stunning male Black Redstart at the eastern end of Brighton Marina where it meets the Undercliff walk. Perched on rock armour and around boat yard @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Prior to today I had only managed rather frustrating, distant views of a Purple Sandpiper at high tide, roosting on the timber framework. Fortunate today to find a confiding, foraging bird at low water. #ShorehamFort #ShorehamBreakwater

Timed my visit to the lower R. Adur well, with a report on the local Whatsapp of an Avocet on the SSSi, as I arrived. First I’ve seen on the estuary. Big numbers of Common Gull, 750+ here with BHGs. Nice to see a few Lesser Black-backed Gull starting to come through now; 5 counted. Plus 2 Meds

Purple Sandpiper on breakwater near Shoreham Fort @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Rain again, but I decided to visit Ham Wall, hopefully to see a decent Starling murmuration before winter's end. Managed to hit the jackpot! A million birds? Who knows? Just before dusk I counted 6 Marsh Harriers, I heard the clarion call of Common Cranes and a booming Bittern. #UKBirding

Distant Red-head Goosander with Black-headed Gull at water’s edge on the falling tide. R. Adur, Dhoreham, Sussex.

Mediterranean Gull centre foreground. 2 Lapwing left foreground. Black-headed Gulls preening in background. Inter-tidal mudflat.

Single Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls and 2 Lapwing taking flight because of disturbance. A Common Gull to the right of the image is slow to react.

R. Adur estuary, falling tide, Railway Br. To Toll Br: Goosander, single Med Gull this afternoon.

2 hour Seawatch off Widewater, Sussex this morning: Red-throated Diver 73e, 10w, 10 o/s, Auk 60e, Razorbill 1e close, Gannet 28e, Brent Geese 71e, Kittiwake 3e, C. Scoter 5e, Great Crested Grebe 3 o/s, Turnstone 2e, Red-head Goosander still on the lagoon.

The current preponderance of wet & gloomy days have been enlivened by appearances of a Marsh Tit in the garden. There's a decent population of them half a mile away in woods at the foot of the north scarp of the downs, but they are very sedentary & we don't often see one at home.
#ukbirding

This morning, just after this big fella flew over me and landed in the tree, I was treated to a fly-past of 32 of the 40+ Russian White-fronted Geese present on Amberley Wild Brooks SWT, viewed from Rackham Viewpoint, Sussex.

Little Gull in the roost yesterday afternoon on the falling tide, near Footbridge to Shoreham Beach @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

GREEN SANDPIPER again on muddy patch at Maudlin Lane / Bramber Castle A283 roundabout. A bit of sunshine this morning.

Green Sandpiper again on muddy patch at Maudlin Lane / Bramber Castle Rdbt.

Redpoll on the garden feeders with Goldfinches - 1st I’ve seen in my Bramber/Steyning garden (late yesterday and again this morning).

Green Sandpiper again on muddy patch at Maudlin Lane / Bramber Castle Rdbt. Photo taken in poor light.

Bramber: Grey Wagtail

2 Little Gull (1st winter) feeding along the surf line, near Southwick Power Station this afternoon. Thanks for all the updates and messages on the local Whatsapp group @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Nice to find this female type Black Redstart on the beach rocks near Southwick Power Station this afternoon. Shortest day of the year, grainy exposure etc etc 😊 @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Southwick Canal: Red-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver

Monarch’s Way, No Man’s Land to Steyning Round Hill: Ringtail Hen Harrier this morning @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Ten Years in West Dorset This mega-post has been in prep for a while. Essentially it is a potted summary of ten years birdwatching in West Dorset, between 2015 ...

Ten Years in West Dorset is less a blog post, more a chapter in my life. Hopefully an inspiration for those who prefer the paths less trodden. Bit of an epic, so well done if you get through it all.
#DorsetBirds

Smart winter plumage Slavonian Grebe found by Jenny H late this afternoon at Widewater lagoon (w)

Male Hen Harrier at dusk (18 Nov 25)

Male Hen Harrier at dusk (18 Nov 25)

Ring-tail Hen Harrier at dusk (18 Nov 25)

Male and Ring-tail Hen Harrier coming in to roost at Arundel WWT (18th Nov 2025)

Lovely afternoon walk at Sherwood Rough with Richard F, gave 1 HAWFINCH, a Firecrest, a couple of heard-not-seen Crossbill, a Coal Tit and 2 Mistle Thrush with one in song. Nice sky too