Last few days

Sunday 20th February

The drake Merganser again by the lockgates at the western end of Southwick Canal this morning together with a 2cy Shag hugging the far bank where the ships are moored. No sign of the Long-tailed Duck (despite Bridget having seen it yesterday), just the Great Crested Grebe from Friday by the Local Fuels depot and 4 Greenfinches. Seemingly nothing passing at sea.





Friday 18th February

With Storm Eunice having passed through earlier and the winds having eased a bit, we ventured down to Southwick Canal in the afternoon where a smart drake Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe were both new in. No sign however of the Long-tailed Duck.


Wednesday 16th February

Having been given the thumbs up by Worthing hospital on Monday and told that I wouldn't need to return for another 3 months, we decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary with an afternoon visit to Arundel WWT. Despite the blustery conditions we saw some good birds including prolonged views of a Water Rail out in the open by the entrance to Scrape hide, 16 Lapwing, 3 Marsh Harriers (2 distantly towards Burpham and another over the reserve), a Red Kite and a Grey Wagtail. The highlight however was a superb Jack Snipe from Lapwing hide which we knew nothing of until Gareth phoned us to say that it had just come up on Birdguides. One of those rare occasions when we happened to be in right place (5 mins walk away) at the right time. Photo courtesy of wwt.org.uk A pair of Mandarins in the ditch that runs alongside Mill Road. 



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