Continuing my measured, steady start to the year, this morning I went to Burpham, arriving around 9.30am. The weather was grey and windy and even though not yet cold, there was a bite to the wind that wasn't there before today, signalling a cold change is on the way.
Parking by the pub in Burpham village, I walked across the field to view the valley towards Arundel and 6 adult Bewick Swans were visible. The Bewick herd has gradually diminished in recent years with not sufficient numbers of young birds to grow the population that frequents the Arun valley. There seem to be 11 birds in total this Winter that have been around the valley, the other group of 5 does have 2 juveniles, but had flown further East towards Steyning. Also visible in the distance were 5 Cattle Egrets near the mill pond stream in Arundel.
I walked up towards the Burgh, stopping briefly at the water treatment plant, where a Sparrowhawk shot through and 6 Chiffchaffs were in the bushes, all colybita.
I'd only seen a couple of Red Kite and Common Buzzard by the time I'd reached Peppering High Barn then I saw a ringtail Hen Harrier hunting a little further up the track in the game strip n the edge of the field, it stayed in the same area for a couple of minutes before drifting off out of view, a great sighting and I was pleased as I didn't see one in Sussex last winter. It wasn't until I reached the track to the dew pond until I saw the first Grey Partridge and a few Red-legged Partridge. A decent number of passerines were in the fields and hedges with c50 Skylark, a similar number of Chaffinch with Linnet, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch and a single Brambling. I was surprised that I only saw one Redwing and no other thrushes. A Firecrest was in the churchyard on the way back.
I called in briefly at Rackham overlooking the wildbrooks but viewing was difficult under darkening skies and directly into a strengthening wind. Large numbers of Canada and Greylag Goose were on the marsh but I couldn't find any other Geese. 4 Marsh Harriers were hunting including a smart male. Wildfowl numbers looked good with a particularly large number of Pintail with the Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal and a good sized flock of Lapwing were present.
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| 6 adult Bewicks (with a juv Mute Swan) |
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| Rintail Hen Harrier |
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| Ringtail Hen Harrier |
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| Ringtail Hen Harrier |
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| female Yellowhammer |
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