Hi-
we weren't at home over New Year so did 2 days birding with friends around their local spots-
As the weather was rough on NYD we decided to do the coast and leave inland to the 2nd:
We had the usual birding anomalies- how can you be out all day and see 75 species but not see a Red Kite or a Chaffinch or a Fieldfare ?
The Goosanders we had found while shopping on NYE had disappeared at the end of 2022:
We started at first light at Farlington Marsh for 45 minutes ( Avocet, Greenshank, Greenfinch ) and left with 49 spp.
Hayling Island - 1hr 45m was nice ( Kingfisher ,Peregrine, Great Northern Divers, Cattle Egret ) 5 8spp.
Pagham / Church Norton / Medmerry area 11:45- 14:40- ( Gannet , Golden Plover, Mistle Thrush , Pochard, Chiffchaff, ) 70spp.
Chichester GPs and Arundel area 1445- until dusk- ( Green WP, Stock Dove, House Sparrow, Yellowhammer) 75spp.
2nd January-
76th spp was Red Kite on the way to -
The Burgh area- 0815-0915 - Raven, Grey and Red Legged Partridge, Redwing, Song Thrush,
Burton Mill pond - 1030-12 - Gadwall GSWP, Grey Wagtail , GW Egret, Marsh Tit, Jay, Little Grebe,
Secret Feeder site near a CP- feeders had been removed since last winter BUT- found a nice bit of habitat nearby with
Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, LTT Goldcrest Chaffinch,
Iping Common- 1250-1350 - dodged dog walkers and found Dartford Warbler and Stonechat
Pulborough Brooks RSPB- 1430- dusk: Peregrine , Egyptian Goose, Snipe, Bullfich brought the total to
97spp.
S
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For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Sounds to me like a perfect couple of days out and about.
While not as exciting, I too made good use of the better weather, but not quite as exciting, the wildlife count was poor on both days, due to human activity. But I got a nice sunrise on NYD, and the following day, again at Baddesley, was to get some low winter morning sun photos, again, some good ones, but not wildlife.
Mike
Flickr Peak Rambler
Had a brief wander this morning and added Pinkfeet 98 Fieldfare 99 Barn Owl 100 Tree Sparrow 101 Goosander 102 Whooper Swan 103 103 S
In reply to seymouraves:
Tony
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wherryman/