I drove to the village of Emsworth
in Hampshire yesterday, which is literally no more than a stones throw
from the West Sussex border, to pay a short visit to my dear friends
Paul (Winger) and Teresa (Tess) Lifton. A couple always 'interested' in
wildlife up until a couple of years ago when on a similar day to the
one we had today, they 'got the bug'. On numerous previous visits they
were always happy to recognise my passion for wild birds with at least
one day set aside to undertake what is effectively a Mini Bird Race.
Each of the party would take a guess at how many species may be seen
during the sortie, with the totals today reading Tess 75, Paul 62 and me
60 - the game starts the moment we get up!
WOOD PIGEON,
COLLARED DOVE,
BLUE TIT and
GREAT TIT were entered in the log while we ate breakfast, as were
Hose Sparrow, Greenfinch, Robin and Starling.
All the rest of our days birding would take place in
West Sussex where en-route we scored Feral Pigeon, Mallard
Black-headed and Herring Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw,
and Rook before arriving at
Hose Sparrow, Greenfinch, Robin and Starling.
All the rest of our days birding would take place in
West Sussex where en-route we scored Feral Pigeon, Mallard
Black-headed and Herring Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw,
and Rook before arriving at
IVY LAKE
No Kingfisher as advertised on the notice board
No Kingfisher as advertised on the notice board
but other more 'common fare' were on show.
MALLARD,
MOORHEN
COMMON TERN,
a well worn FLY AGARIC fungi did not enter the list
but GREAT CRESTED GREBE,
GOLDCREST,
Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Jay, Wren,
Willow Warbler, Cormorant, Cetti's Warbler, Dunnock, Chaffinch,
and LONG-TAILED TIT followed before reaching
Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Jay, Wren,
Willow Warbler, Cormorant, Cetti's Warbler, Dunnock, Chaffinch,
and LONG-TAILED TIT followed before reaching
There to greet us were
SWALLOW and House Martin along with the chance to
photograph JACKDAW already recorded.
SWALLOW and House Martin along with the chance to
photograph JACKDAW already recorded.
At the 'feeders' CHIFFCHAFF were in company with Goldfinch,
and Pied Wagtail and more
and Pied Wagtail and more
FUNGI
was seen as we took the short walk to
was seen as we took the short walk to
the HIDE looking directly over the main road and into the
LAGOON. There we saw Shelduck, Lapwing, Pheasant, Kestrel,
and a distant Wader which eventually, after bringing the telescope
into play, was seen to be a
COMMON SANDPIPER.
A small flock of Stock Doves and a Raven that had found a good
meal were considered 'bonuses' as we continued to
into play, was seen to be a
COMMON SANDPIPER.
A small flock of Stock Doves and a Raven that had found a good
meal were considered 'bonuses' as we continued to
in the hope of a female Pied Flycatcher which had been there all
week and would have been a Year Tick for the Lifton's had we seen it
unfortunately, even after a long search we didn't!
week and would have been a Year Tick for the Lifton's had we seen it
unfortunately, even after a long search we didn't!
However, this deficit was soon made up by at least half a dozen
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER
and previously seen CORMORANT
before we even got to the water's edge.
Once there it was just a short hour to the 'top of the tide'
which in time honoured fashion pushes Wading Birds to roost.
which in time honoured fashion pushes Wading Birds to roost.
REDSHANK
were first to fly in and joined, fairly close to our position, by
KNOT (middle) and DUNLIN.
Little Egret, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover were
all in good numbers while the Grey Plover amounted to c3 and
Bar-tailed Godwit just a single. Other additions included Wigeon,
the late appearance of a Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Great Black-
backed Gull and yet another unexpected bird Arctic Tern!
all in good numbers while the Grey Plover amounted to c3 and
Bar-tailed Godwit just a single. Other additions included Wigeon,
the late appearance of a Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Great Black-
backed Gull and yet another unexpected bird Arctic Tern!
Decamping to the
shingle beach, among the SEA KALE (Cabbage) we did a
mini sea-watch which only resulted in a single addition,
We were all quiet amused at this 'red-nosed' monster passing
overhead, and wondered how many onboard were in similar state.
overhead, and wondered how many onboard were in similar state.
I expect you were all just dying to see
BILLY BUTLIN'S across the bay at Bognor Regis, but now time was
pressing and we needed to hurry on to the final location of the day
Thorney Island where there was at least one reasonable expectation!
BILLY BUTLIN'S across the bay at Bognor Regis, but now time was
pressing and we needed to hurry on to the final location of the day
Thorney Island where there was at least one reasonable expectation!
OSPREY was distant, but it was an Osprey and a very welcome
addition to the day list. It would have been an addition to my
Year List too had one not flown over the Motorway as I neared
Gosport yesterday. Common Buzzard and Linnet were also seen
here, and as we were about to call it a day a small flock of
addition to the day list. It would have been an addition to my
Year List too had one not flown over the Motorway as I neared
Gosport yesterday. Common Buzzard and Linnet were also seen
here, and as we were about to call it a day a small flock of
YELLOW WAGTAILS
flushed from beneath the nearby cows.
flushed from beneath the nearby cows.
That should make a total of 68 which made it a fairly 'close call' all round,
however as the total was revealed Paul turned out to be the eventual
winner - CONGRATS to him. Home was where the Curry and Eton Mess, with
fresh home grown Raspberries were, and a convivial evening to follow.
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