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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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
Tony
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wherryman/