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The Arun week: 12 to 18 May


The week started auspiciously with a walk to Rewell and other woodland areas west of Arundel. Not many bird species, but a singing Tree Pipit was my first for the area. Coal Tits were active, busily feeding young. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs remained in full song, while there were two Yellowhammer pairs. Six Buzzards patrolled the skies.

The week saw two other visits to the woods around Arundel. Highlights were a Hobby pair near the same site they occupied last year, and a Firecrest hopping along a path – strange behaviour. Again, Coal Tits were very active. The pool in the Water Woods had a Grey Wagtail and seven drake Mandarins, the females presumably all sitting on nests in the nearby woods.

The week included three walks along the Arun to the south of Arundel. A Kingfisher was seen on each visit after several weeks when they have been very elusive – they must now have young that need feeding. Two to three Common Sandpipers were present on all occasions, as were up to three Little Egrets, one to two Oystercatchers and up to seven Lapwings, though no sign of the latter having bred yet. Song came from four Cetti’s Warblers, up to six Reed Warblers, two or three Sedge Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, a few Linnets and about eight Reed Buntings.

By contrast, the path by the river to the north and east of Arundel was walked only once, on a cold and windy morning. At least one Cuckoo was still calling, as were six Reed Warblers and a single Whitethroat.

A trek round Arundel Park also produced a calling Cuckoo and what is unfortunately a rarity this year, a calling Willow Warbler. Two Red Kites joined the regular Buzzards patrolling the skies, while a Red-legged Partridge was a surprise at the top of the park.

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