Thorney Deeps (20 August 2016)

Saturday 20 August. An hours seawatching from Widewater produced about 30 Gannets (mainly heading west) and single Fulmar and Swift heading east, the latter more blown than flying. No shearwaters but perhaps the wind wasn't onshore enough? Megan had to be in Chichester for the afternoon so we walked around Church Norton first seeing a Spotted Flycatcher by the churchyard, 2 Grey Plover and 3 Knot in the harbour and at least 55 Mediterranean Gulls behind the first Several (there were probably twice that many in the flock but over half were hidden from view). I dropped Megan in Chichester and went on to Thorney walking down the western seawall to the Great Deep. I saw a Whinchat and 2 Wheatears but despite a very high tide there were only roosting Oystercatchers visible. that is until the osprey put in an appearance flying around from 15:00-15:25 and flushing 9 Greenshank my way. Also present were 7 Common Sandpipers and 11 Sand Martins. I returned to the main road and walked down to the gate opposite The Stable where the Osprey was sitting distantly in front of the landing lights. Also at least 3 Spotted Redshank with the distant Redshank visible from there. I then had to leave to collect Megan but it had been a worthwhile visit to a reliable autumn Osprey site.

Osprey at Thorney Deeps

viewed from The Stable, it might have been closer to the eastern sea wall but i didn't have the time to try there

Hare

Friday 19 August. Green Woodpecker, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff were all I saw on Mill Hill before breakfast. Megan and I then walked from Chantry Hill to Rackham Hill and back. It was breezy and visibility was at times poor. We saw at least 3 Ravens, a pair making it clear ot a red Kite who was king of the castle, the castle being a large stack of hay bales. Also 3 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Yellowhammers and a Corn Bunting. An evening visit to the Adur for low tide produced 65 Ringed Plovers and 11 Dunlin but few gulls.

view south from Rackham Hill, Arundel in the gloom

2 of the 7 intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen on the Adur

Starlings by the Adur