Page 6 - Out Birding Autumn 2023

Shoreham 15/4/2023
Earlier torren􏰀al rain and dangerous slippery paths meant a change to the adver􏰀sed schedule. Exploring Mill Hill Nature Reserve would need to wait for another day. Instead, eighteen of us met for a spring walk along the banks of the Adur River. As well as Sue, Tony from the Shoreham District Ornithological Society expertly guided us through this Site of Special Scien􏰀fic Interest (SSSI).
Just as Tony was informing us that Turnstone were generally reliable, they were spo􏰁ed. An impressive group of around thirty, showing some of the ruddy summer plumage that gives them their full name, were spread across a small boat in the river. A few noisy Oystercatcher made up the wader count for the day. We were in shoulder season. Most of the winter waders had departed, but, put off perhaps by the weather, spring and passage migrants were yet to show in any number.
As we began our walk, the first Li􏰁le Egret was soon spo􏰁ed. Three Mute Swan, and a couple of groups of imposing Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls added more splashes of white against the saltmarsh. Next, we played spot the black dot in the sky, as we began to hear the upli􏰂ing song of Skylark, which accompanied us for much of the first part of the walk. Eventual success, and one finally parachuted down into the grounds of Shoreham airport, n art-deco gem apparently; atrip for another day.
Tony then explained the work that was being done to maintain the SSSI. Educa􏰀ng the public, including dog-walkers and paddle-boarders, is a real challenge. Even more diffi- cult trying to ensure building plans don’t impact the area. Water now floods into the saltmarsh to allow for residen􏰀al development, while the chosen site for industrial units is right where the Lapwings roost. The struggle con􏰀nues.
News came in that a White-tailed Eagle, part of the Isle of Wight project, had been spo􏰁ed nearby. We kept a hopeful look-out throughout the morning, wai􏰀ng for pan- icking gulls to 􏰀p us off, but no joy. However, we did see some raptors. A very obliging Kestrel wind-hovered just above us, and a couple of Buzzard came close. While the la􏰁er may lack the glamour of a showcase reintroduc􏰀on scheme, their resurgence over recent decades is very welcome.
A few singing passerines – Dunnock, Blackbird and Great Tit - reminded us that it was indeed spring. Then, as the sun finally came out, a small tortoiseshell bu􏰁erfly posed for the cameras, to add some pa􏰁erned beauty and bright colour to the day. Helen spo􏰁ed a rat.
A􏰂er re-finding the Turnstones, disembarked now and camouflaged on the shoreline, we made our way to Sue and Eva’s bungalow by Shoreham beach. A really fantas􏰀c spread – pulled-beef stew and raspberry pavlova for me - and highly sociable lunch. Great hospitality. Cha􏰃ng inside was met with cha􏰁ering outside as garden feeders and a fresh-water feature a􏰁racted groups of House Sparrow and Starling. Two red list species doing very well in this coastal garden. A micro-success to celebrate.
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