Back home

So, back in Littlehampton for a brief period before our next adventure begins on the FARNE ISLANDS!! Some lovely  birds around, only a few minutes from the house in the case of the first two, the long-staying first winter Kumlien's Gull and the second winter (3cy) Glaucous Gull. I have made two visits now, and both times they have been showing very well in the harbour mouth from West Beach. Light was poor on both occasions, but I managed to get a shot of both, with a nice one of the Kumlien's showing the brown wash in the primaries and the obvious dark tail band.

Kumlien's Gull, Larus glaucoides kumlieni

Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus

Our second outing was to make the journey up to Warnham, which is always a lovely place to visit, but this time with the added incentive of a Mealy (or Common, whichever you prefer) Redpoll up for grabs. We spent 20 minutes watching the Redpolls, Siskins, Long-tailed Tits and others busy on the feeders before the star bird arrived for a brief showing. I managed a shot showing the two pure white wing bars, overall greyish tones and the contrasting dark ear covert spot, all key ID features.  Also on the reserve was a Raven, many Grey Herons busy nest building and a nice pair of Great Crested Grebes.

Siskin, Carduelis spinus

Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus

Lesser Redpoll, Carduelis flammea cabaret

Mealy Redpoll, Carduelis flammea flammea

Birding in the Snow!

So, after the roads had been cleared of snow after Fridays "blizzards??" it seemed only sensible to get out and do some birding in the snow, and make the most of the countryside looking truly magical. First stop was Warnham LNR where the feeders didn't let us down. Great numbers of Siskin and Redpoll were present, joined by numerous Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, and the other usual suspects. Around the rest of the reserve it was pretty quiet; a few Pochard out on the almost entirely frozen lake and the usual gull flock, with all 5 common species present.

Siskin, Carduelis spinus

Lesser Redpoll, Carduelis cabaret

Lesser Redpoll, Carduelis cabaret

Then it was on to Pulborough, where it was rather quiet as the brooks were almost entirely frozen. There were a lovely flock of Goldcrests pinging about in the trees at Fattengates, accompanied by at least 1 Firecrest! There were also plenty of Song Thrush on show, plenty of Lapwing around and out on the brooks there were a few Teal, Shelduck and Widgeon. The highlight for me was the 34 Snipe counted from West Mead Hide, pottering around in the snow, almost like they were still totally camouflaged. Back at the visitor centre, there were numerous Coal Tit on the feeders, and a single Marsh Tit.

Common Snipe in the snow,  Gallinago gallinago

A chilly looking Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus