Southwick

An early morning walk from home to Southwick Beach was rewarded with stunning views of a male Peregrine hunting over the shingle which then flew past at eye level no more than 20 metres away up on to the power station chimney. Also a Red Kite that flew NW at 07:45 much to the displeasure of the local gull population and a Rock Pipit on a warehouse roof. Thoughts of a seawatch were quickly scuppered by finding the gate of the east harbour arm padlocked though in fairness there seemed to be nothing moving up Channel in the stiff NE breeze. No sign of the Long-tailed Duck on Southwick Canal though it has been elusive recently and could still be hanging on, 5 Greenfinches there and a singing Coal Tit in gardens adjacent to Southwick Green for its second day, the first I can recall in Southwick in the 23 years we've been there.  We also found Danish Scurvygrass in flower on Southwick Beach by Carat's Cafe. This is an interesting plant that according to The Flora of Sussex has undergone a great increase in both range and frequency both on the coast (where it was originally found) and inland where the white roadside fringe it forms is now a familiar sight (even from a speeding vehicle) along many of our major roads. 


Danish Scurvygrass


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