Barlavington

Sunday 22nd - the balmy weather didn't continue - overcast and a bit chilly. A circular route on two wheels took us around the Barlavington, Burton, Sutton area. Heard woodpeckers drumming on two separate occasions and unintentionally flushed four Herons into flight. Saw two buzzards overhead.

Slindon

Saturday 21st - the warmest day of the year by far, for a truly sping-like walk from Slindon up to the folly. Hazel catkins are in all their glory. Along the way we saw Pheasants, Long-Tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Greenfinches, Robins, Crows, but the highlight was definitely a fine view of a Merlin sitting on a post preening itself in the sun, blissfullly unaware of our approach until about 25 yards away (why didn't I take the camera!). When it spotted us, it unhurriedly took off and flew to a nearby tree.

Aldwick Beach

A quick Sunday afternoon walk down to Aldwick beach turned out to be a gull session, with 3 Great Black-Backed Gulls, Common Gulls, Herring Gulls and Black-Headed Gulls. A Goldcrest was flitting around in the shrubs when we returned home.

Halnaker in the snow

A lunchtime walk up on Halnaker hill in the thawing snow gave some stunning views and good photo opportunities. Plenty of active birds to be found: Chaffinches, a pair of Willow Tits, a flock of about 10 Skylarks with a single Yellowhammer in tow, a flock of 22 Goldfinches, Kestrel, Blackbirds, Robins, Crows and on the way back a Great Spotted Woodpecker giving away its location at the top of an oak tree with a repeated alarm call.

Some footprints that need identifying, the one on the left being just under 10 inches end-to-end.

Halnaker looking towards Chichester.

White Out!

February 2009 starts with the heaviest snow we've had for a long time. A fairly light covering on Sunday afternoon were followed up overnight with a total covering with more continuing to come down as the day is progressing. Water and fresh seed put out for the birds - Blackbird and Robin in back garden have already been drinking the water, which keeps re-freezing over. I've counted about 7 Common Gulls sitting around on the rooftops, with the odd juvenile Black-Headed Gull passing over and wheeling around on scavenging forays.

A small flock of about 6 Fieldfares have just flown past, out of the white snowflake sky on their way inland.

Starling Display

Huge flocks of Starlings have been putting on a dusk 'gyroscoping' show recently, the first time I've ever witnessed these wonderful displays.

Glad to say the Hedge Sparrow has made an appearance in the back garden again, as have the long-tailed tits. Also saw a 'flock' of 12 Long-tailed Tits while I was at National Tyres on the Shripney road.

Other sightings recently have been from the car - a Stonechat on the A259 Bognor/Chichester road, plenty of Lapwings, Buzzards, and a Red Kite on the journey up to Upton-on-Severn.