So there was I thinking I'd dipped the Franklin's Gull, well as i turned out I haven't! Hurrah! What I was told at the time was a Black Headed Gull, and to be fair there are some in Summer plumage on show, now having seen the pictures from the day, is the bird in question, basically a right result and I'm off down the pub!


Franklin's Gull:

Good views today of a Pallas's Warbler at Church Norton, really great bird that showed well on the sunny side of Oak Copse at Church Norton.

The Dartford Warbler was still showing at Pagham Spit early in the morning, although not for long as it soon hunkered down after a quick show:


Dartford Warbler making a run for it!:

At Greenlease Farm, a Black Redstart, presumably last year's bird, was on the corrugated roof of the farm building:

Black Redstart:

Took my son to the Aldingbourne Country Centre and apart from the assorted livestock there were also a good few Pied Wagtails along with two Grey Wagtails:


Grey Wagtail:

Despite fairly dismal weather conditions the Red-Breasted Flycatcher was on show near the old trapping area at Beachy Head, a cracking adult male too:

Red-Breasted Flycatcher:

The Siberian Stonechat showed well at Titchfield Haven today, a very fine bird indeed IMHO:

Siberian Stonechat:

The previous day the Ruddy Shelduck was on the Ferry Pool at Sidlesham and a few Stonechats were at East Head:

Ruddy Shelduck:

Stonechat:

At Pulborough Brooks today and it was good to see quite a few Sussex Birders from the Facebook group out and about. Also in attendance, a Bar-Headed Goose, at least one Grey Phalarope, a Red-Breasted Goose, probably the one frequents the Arun valley, and a few Redwings:

Bar-Headed Goose:

Grey Phalarope:

Red-Breasted Goose:

Redwing:

Narrowly missed the Great-Grey Shrike at Climping on Thursday but there were a few Ring Ouzels present as there were on Friday morning. At Cissbury Ring, just the one Ring Ouzel being elusive although another was heard, plenty of Stonechats and Goldfinches though as well as Skylarks over the fields. Ambersham produced just a single Stonechat whilst at The Trundle, a male Stonechat, two Chiffchaffs, numerous Greenfinches and Meadow Pipits.



Ring Ouzel (look carefully!):

Stonechat (stretch!!):

The Yellow-Browed Warbler showed well for me yesterday early morning at Selsey. Associating with a mixed flock it fed keenly in a small grey shrub overhanging the caravan park wall at Paddock Lane. 

At Coastguards, no Rock Pipits but a wary Black Redstart was about the gardens and decking.

A look for the Tawny Pipit at Newhaven produced a couple of Whinchats, a Wheatear and a pair of Stonechats, and...what was that bird in the grass? Time will tell...

No more sign of the Red Crested Pochard at Chichester GPs but there have been quite a few Kingfishers and a contender today for a Aythya hybrid, which had to be at least part Scaup, otherwise not much else.



Kingfisher:

Pagham and Selsey still very quiet (when was the last really good bird in West Sussex?). A Wheatear at North Wall and two Peregrines over, several Stonechats along Pagham spit and a Spoonbill the best of a poor bunch-no wonder the Tide Mills Tawny Pipit is proving so popular amongst Sussex birders.


Spoonbill:

Stonechat:

Two birds that I didn't expect today, firstly a juvenile Gannet on the Breach Pool at Pagham North Wall. Initially sat on the pool, it then flew to the field behind, crash landed somewhat but after a few minutes seemed to regain its composure and nestled into the long grass; it was still hunkered down when I left an hour later:

Gannet:

At White's Creek, waders were in short supply but there were at least 200 Wigeon present, here's two!:

Second unusual bird of the day was a Red Crested Pochard, presumably last year's bird, back at Copse Lake (and later New Lake) at the Chichester Gravel Pits complex:

Pleased to see this bird as it was very elusive last year!

Back on home soil as it were and a look around all the usual sites in the Selsey/Pagham area. Not much at North Wall, but a few fairly distant Stonechats and Whinchats, four Snipe on the Breach pool and the odd Reed Bunting & Cetti's Warbler. At the Ferry Pool, the Little Stint and three Green Sandpipers, and at the rubble heaps on West Beach, 18 Wheatears at least and many Meadow Pipits & Linnets. A pair of Stonechats in Warner Lane.


Reed Bunting:

Green Sandpipers:

Little Stint:

Wheatear:

Meadow Pipit:

Stonechats:

A few days in Suffolk last week and although nothing spectacular was about (that was the week before..) a there were a few highlights:


Yellow Wagtail:

Wheatear:

Barnacle Geese:

Bearded Tits:

Red Backed Shrike:

Black Redstart:

Yellow Legged Gull:

Great White Egret: