This week saw the end of 'false spring' and return to more typically wet and windy conditions with the Arun looking as if it might overtop midweek( but it didn't thankfully) and then howling gales at the weekend. Luckily the latter did at least come with mostly blue skies.
Pulborough finally produced a couple of Woodlarks over the crop field, the first for me here since the nineteen in December. Adders are being seen but not by me and the flurry of early butterflies hit a brick wall this week.
The two White-fronted Geese were distant and flushed by ground staff midweek but just the odd harrier and a couple of Peregrines at the weekend; the female sat on the ground before deciding to dash out to the riverbank just to flash her talons at a harmless Buzzard on the ground before returning to her mate for some more loafing.
Arundel produced the usual fare although the Kingfishers are getting less reliable. The gull loaf was a similar size to the Goring Gap flock, probably both about 1000 strong with a number of Med Gulls but nothing better. The only ringed Med this week was a green darvic'd (French/Belgian) adult at Titchfield.
The ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting distantly from the pub carpark and a Cattle Egret was in-to-roost early.
A bedding compost run to Mount Folly produced heard only Firecrest from nearby gardens as it usually does.
Monday (11th) saw a visit to Mill Lane for the Hooded Crow but no sightings by many birders and only Med Gulls as supporting cast in bright but still very windy conditions; typically it was reported mid afternoon.
Later in the day some time along the seafront between shopping, coffee and 'urban' photography produced a strongly singing Rock Pipit on Hot Walls and an adult Shag off Eastney; others saw both Little Owls locally.
