Two-day Sussex tour

Last week Jeff and John from Ohio joined us for two days of birding in Sussex, notching up 100 species. This quest took us to woodlands, looking for the likes of Hawfinch and Marsh Tit, to the coast where we enjoyed Bar-tailed Godwits and Avocets, and so much in between..!

Avocets huddled on the Ferry Pool at Pagham Harbour at high tide

Dark-bellied Brent Geese gathered in numbers

Grey Plover (photo), Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot were among the waders at Pagham Harbour, where a Kingfisher also put in an appearance

It was a good time for Kestrels, with a good number seen during the tour

This was one of many Siskins coming down to drink in Cowdray Forest

Cowdray also delivered good views of Treecreeper (photo), Nuthatch and Redpoll

'Sneezing' from the undergrowth, we encountered a number of Marsh Tits in the woodland

Black Redstart was one of Jeff and John's targets. This male was one of two birds seen at Splash Point...

... Where naturally we looked out for the vagrant Pied Wheatear, which popped up on the ruined wall a couple of times for us. Jeff and John hadn't bargained for this species!

Red Kites gave stunning views at Patching Hill, a site that also produced Yellowhammer

An evening visit to Arundel was rewarded with more Mandarin Ducks than one could shake a stick at!

The evening light also looked good on the Tufted Ducks

Nearby we enjoyed views of two Peregrine Falcons hunting at dusk, before seeing Barn Owl, Woodcock and Snipe as darkness fell