A walk down to Brooklands Park and Widewater this morning, in search of Wheatears. We had none at Brooklands, but the Black Redstart that has been on the beach finally cooperated and the willows around the lake were full of Chiffchaffs. Bird of the day was found when scanning the sea: a summer plumage grebe that I assumed was Slavonian, as it’s the more likely here. Only after I had put the word out did I realise that this was a Black-necked Grebe (and then Birdguides got the location in Goring, 4 miles away, so not the best effort at publicising the bird). Too far away to photograph and it quickly drifted away.
Down at Widewater we had a total of seven Wheatears, but not much else. On the Adur estuary the tide was high so there was a selection of waders on an island.
Back at Lancing Green we ate our lunch and looked at the sea, which was slow but excellent, with a couple of Slavonian Grebes (definitely this time and in winter plumage), a small flock of Shoveler passing, a Black-throated Diver and our first Sandwich Terns of the year. Throughout there was a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits coming in off the sea.
8 birds added to the on-foot bird list, taking it to 112.
