Local birding

Saturday 22nd January

For the last few days it's been an effort to do anything but news of a drake Goosander on the Adur by the cement works (comfortably within 5 miles of home) and a bit of persuasion from Bridget was enough to entice me out of the house for the afternoon. Despite the constant procession of cyclists and dog walkers along the river bank, it was still on the Adur by Dacre Gardens 'showing well' and a delight to see at such close range. Also of note were a wintering Common Sandpiper on the west bank of the river south of the cement works and a Peregrine on top of the cement works chimney.

We then tried Steyning WTW where there were 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Meadow Pipits with about 50 Pied Wagtails making the most of the insects being attracted to the sewage being poured from the rotating arms on to the stone filter beds. A complete absence of Chiffchaffs was a bit of a surprise however.

Yesterday, the Long-tailed Duck was still on Southwick Canal in its usual location west of the Barrett Steel Warehouse. Only two more days and it will have been there two months.

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