Spring migration has been slow and somewhat delayed this year, probably due to the unusual weather patterns that we have had, it certainly seems to have prolonged the effect of winter. On the 10th April, my first sighting of summer migrants, SWALLOW, SAND and HOUSE MARTIN were seen at Moor Green Lakes.
On the 15th I went to Portland hoping to see a few migrants arriving, but it turned out to be a disappointing day as WHEATEAR, TREE PIPIT, BLACKCAP, WILLOW WARBLER and SWALLOW were the only ones seen and in very small
numbers.
In an effort to see and hear NIGHTINGALES, I visited Pulborough Brooks on the 23rd, the weather was bright and sunny, so the day started well and it got better and better. I heard at least eight NIGHTINGALE with the added bonus of seeing five of them. One bird was perched on a bench in full view, before hopping onto the grass for a minute or two. I hadn't heard or seen
so many in a relatively small area before and their song is wonderful to say the least. After Pulborough it was straight to Pagham, in the hope of seeing the LONG EARED OWL which had been roosting there for the previous two days.
Unfortunately it had moved on that morning, so I will have to wait for another opportunity to see one, which will be a first for me. The trip however was not wasted as a WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER had been seen at Church Norton, a very short distance away on the edge of the Pagham reserve. There were several birders there, scanning the trees near the beach for the bird. A very kind birder pointed out the BONNELLI'S WARBLER to me, in the top of some silver birches nearby. Telescopes proved hopeless in viewing the bird as it was very mobile, but I managed some good views through binoculars. I must say the bird was rather uninspiring, plumage wise, but a good life tick all the same.
On the 15th I went to Portland hoping to see a few migrants arriving, but it turned out to be a disappointing day as WHEATEAR, TREE PIPIT, BLACKCAP, WILLOW WARBLER and SWALLOW were the only ones seen and in very small
numbers.
In an effort to see and hear NIGHTINGALES, I visited Pulborough Brooks on the 23rd, the weather was bright and sunny, so the day started well and it got better and better. I heard at least eight NIGHTINGALE with the added bonus of seeing five of them. One bird was perched on a bench in full view, before hopping onto the grass for a minute or two. I hadn't heard or seen
so many in a relatively small area before and their song is wonderful to say the least. After Pulborough it was straight to Pagham, in the hope of seeing the LONG EARED OWL which had been roosting there for the previous two days.
Unfortunately it had moved on that morning, so I will have to wait for another opportunity to see one, which will be a first for me. The trip however was not wasted as a WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER had been seen at Church Norton, a very short distance away on the edge of the Pagham reserve. There were several birders there, scanning the trees near the beach for the bird. A very kind birder pointed out the BONNELLI'S WARBLER to me, in the top of some silver birches nearby. Telescopes proved hopeless in viewing the bird as it was very mobile, but I managed some good views through binoculars. I must say the bird was rather uninspiring, plumage wise, but a good life tick all the same.
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