2018 List

This article lists the 195 species seen in the Arun Valley in 2018 -- about 68% of the 288 species ever recorded in the valley. It excludes five unquestionably feral or escaped species, which would take the total to 200.
Salient information about dates of occurrence, numbers, etc., is included where relevant and available -- but this is very much a work in progress. 
Corrections of errors in the list are welcomed, but current sightings should be sent to the relevant websites, and, most importantly, entered into Birdtrack.

I will happily provide a word version of the list – email me at mcdbirder@gmail.com.

Abbreviations:

AWB – Amberley Wild Brooks

CB – Climping Beach (shorthand for West Beach to Poole Place and immediate interior)

PB – Pulborough Brooks

WWT – Arundel Wetland Centre

Key sources:

Sussex Ornithological Society – Recent Sightings: www.sos.org.uk/recent-sightings

Climping and Lower Arun Valley: climpingbirds.blogspot.com/

Arundel WWT: /www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/wildlife

RSPB Pulborough Brooks: /www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/pulborough-brooks/recent-sightings/

Matt’s Birding Diary: pulboroughbirder.blogspot.com/

Species:

Bewick’s Swan: Up to 12 at AWB, PB and Burpham and Offham water meadows from the start of the year to Feb 4. Birds returned from 12 Dec, when an adult and three juveniles were at AWB. The main location then switched to Burpham, with up to eight present to 31 Dec.

Whooper Swan: Singles at PB on Jan 1 and Jan 4.

Mute Swan:

White-fronted Goose: One, a presumed escape, at PB in Oct and Nov, with two there on 14 Dec.

Greylag Goose:

Canada Goose:

Barnacle Goose: Eight presumed feral birds at PB on 6 Nov.

Brent Goose: Mostly seen on the coast, with about 500 at CB on Nov 22. Occasional records inland, including one at WWT on Feb 3.

Egyptian Goose: Scattered records across the valley, most frequently from PB. 12 at CB on Oct 18 was a high site count.

Common Shelduck: Scattered records across the valley, with 37 at PB on Jan 30.

Mandarin Duck: Birds noted year round at Swanbourne Lake and Clear Springs Trout Farm, Arundel, with 18 at the former site on 30 Dec.

Eurasian Wigeon: A high count of 3,000+ at AWB on Dec 30.

Gadwall: Key concentrations at WWT and Swanbourne Lake, with 103 at the latter on 2 Dec.

Eurasian Teal: A high count of 300 at AWB on Mar 17.

Mallard:

Pintail: Scattered records across the valley, with a high count of 150 at PB on Jan 27.

Garganey: One to two at PB from mid-May to early Jun. One at Swanbourne Lake on 13 Sep.

Shoveler:

Red-crested Pochard: Singles on the Arun south of Arundel on 16 Nov, at WWT on 18 Nov and at Swanbourne Lake on 29 Dec may have been the same bird.

Pochard: Most regularly at Swanbourne Lake and WWT.

Tufted Duck: Main concentrations at WWT and Swanbourne Lake, with 93 at the latter on 29 Dec.

Common Eider: Occasionally seen offshore, with 2 at CB on 12 May and 1 on 23 May.

Common Scoter: Occasionally seen offshore, with 112 past CB on 27 Apr. Very occasionally inland, with 1 at PB on 8 Apr.

Velvet Scoter: One offshore from CB on 11 Mar.

Red-breasted Merganser: 40 offshore from CB on 27 Apr. One at PB on 16 Nov.

Goosander: Several past CB in early Jan. There were up to 14 on the Arun between Houghton and Arundel from 1 Nov to 11 Nov.

Red-legged Partridge: Most consistently seen at The Burgh and nearby downland areas, with 38 in four coveys on 14 Dec.

Grey Partridge: Regularly seen at The Burgh and nearby downland areas. Also regularly seen at CB, where 12 on 27 Sep.

Pheasant:

Red-throated Diver: Occasionally offshore or past, with a high count of 43 west past CB on 14 Jan.

Fulmar: Occasionally past CB.

Gannet: Sometimes offshore in large numbers, with 200 seen from CB on 3 Nov.

Cormorant:

Cattle Egret: Several reports from Oct to Dec may have related to the same bird. One flew over Littlehampton Golf Course on 20 Oct. One was near Lyminster on 24 Oct with another there on 30 Dec. One at the WWT egret roost on 12 Nov was subsequently seen at Offham on 13 Nov and 17 Nov, and east of Arundel on 18 Nov.

Little Egret: Regular throughout the year at suitable locations along the Arun, often in numbers, with eight near Warningcamp on 3 Aug and 16 by the river from Ford to Littlehampton on 14 Aug.

Great White Egret: Increasing in occurrence throughout the valley, with singles reported from Jan to Apr and Sep to Dec. Two present at PB in Mar and Apr.

Grey Heron: Nine by the river from Arundel to Littlehampton on 14 Aug.

White Stork: One near Burpham on 7 May. Most recent records are assumed to be released birds.

Spoonbill: One at PB from 8 to 12 Apr.

Little Grebe:

Great-crested Grebe: A high count of 27 offshore from CB on 2 Nov. Occasional on the river and nearby water bodies.

Red-necked Grebe: One offshore from CB on 9 Mar.

Slavonian Grebe: 5 offshore from CB on 9 Mar.

Red Kite: The Burgh and nearby downland had the highest occurrence, with 30 on 13 Jan.

Marsh Harrier: Increasing in occurrence along the river and on the downs. The roost at WWT recorded a high count of 11 on 24 Nov.

Hen Harrier: Mainly seen at The Burgh, PB and AWB, with records from Jan to Mar and late Oct to Dec. Up to three at The Burgh in Nov.

Goshawk: Very occasional sightings reported.

Sparrowhawk:

Buzzard:

Osprey: Singles at PB on 5 May, 1 Jun, and 19 Aug, and at Arundel on 3 Sep.

Water Rail: Most frequently reported at WWT.

Moorhen:

Coot:

Black-winged Stilt: One at PB on 23-24 Apr.

Avocet: One near Littlehampton on 3 Mar, three past CB on 11 Mar, and one occasionally at PB in Jan and Mar, with one to two there regularly from 10 Apr to 8 Jun.

Oystercatcher: Mainly on the coast and lower parts of the river in winter, with 43 at CB on 1 Mar.

Grey Plover: High count of 120 at CB on 3 Jan.

Golden Plover: Flocks seen in the first winter near CB, south of Arundel, The Burgh and PB. The latter hosted 120 on 30 Jan, with 69 to the south of Arundel on 3 Mar.

Ringed Plover: Most sightings from the coast and PB, with 45 at CB on 12 Nov.

Little Ringed Plover: Reported from mid-Mar to late Aug. Most regularly seen at PB, where up to six in Jul.

Lapwing: PB held the main breeding population in the valley. It also posted the highest counts, with up to 3,000 on 5 Jan and about 3,000 in early Dec.

Whimbrel: Seen occasionally on passage through the valley from the coast to PB.

Curlew: Mostly recorded from CB, where a high count of 27 on 12 Nov.

Black-tailed Godwit: Mainly found at PB, where a high count of about 800 on 28 Jan.

Bar-tailed Godwit: Mostly seen offshore or on the coast with a high count of 30 past CB on 29 Apr.

Turnstone: Mostly seen at CB with a high count of 120 on 9 Dec.

Knot: Two at CB on 1 Mar and one there on 7 Aug.

Ruff: Occasional at PB in winter and on passage, with a high count of 14 on 27 Jan.

Curlew Sandpiper: One at PB on 22-23 May.

Temminck’s Stint: One at PB from 1 Jan to 23 Feb, with one there from 23-24 May.

Sanderling: A high count of 126 at CB on 9 Dec.

Dunlin:

Little Stint: One at PB on 29 Aug.

White-rumped Sandpiper: One at PB from 8-13 Dec was first record for the site and Arun Valley.

Common Sandpiper: Most commonly occurs on protracted spring and autumn passage but wintering birds increasing. Most sightings are on the coast and lower stretches of the river, with a high count of 34 between Arundel and Littlehampton on 17 Jul.

Green Sandpiper: Occasional to regular in suitable habitat along the valley, with a high count of 12 at PB on 21 Jul.

Spotted Redshank: Singles at PB on 18 May and 21-22 May. One at CB on 31 Aug.

Greenshank: A high count of 22 at PB on 24 May.

Wood Sandpiper: Singles at PB on 19 Apr, 24-26 May, 5 Aug and 21 August. One at WWT on 25 Aug.

Common Redshank: A scarce breeder with PB the main centre; otherwise regular in small numbers at suitable sites along the coast and river.

Jack Snipe: One at WWT on 13 Jan, one by the Arun near Arundel on 22 Mar, and one at WWT on 24 Nov.

Woodcock: Under-recorded but not uncommon in suitable habitat.

Common Snipe: Most often seen at PB and WWT. Counts included 35 at the latter on 28 Nov.

Arctic Skua: Three from CB between 21 Apr and 1 May.

Great Skua: One from CB on 3 Jan and three more between 25 Apr and 10 May.

Razorbill: Singles from CB on 14 Jan and 16 Nov.

Common Guillemot: one seen on 27 Sep and two on 3 Nov from CB.

Black Guillemot: Usually very rare, but one seen on multiple occasions at CB from 9 Mar to 13 Jun.

Little Tern: A high count of eight past CB on 22 Apr.

Black Tern: Two past CB on 12 May.

Sandwich Tern: 28 past CB on 23 May.

Common Tern: A high count of 14 past CB on 23 May. Inland records included one at PB on 7 Jun, with two there on 20 Jun.

Kittiwake: One past CB on 15 Feb; 12 there on 3 Nov.

Black-headed Gull:

Mediterranean Gull: A landmark year with numerous birds in the second half of 2018 especially from the coast to WWT. Birds ringed in Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Germany, Belgium, France and Portugal seen at various sites. The high count was about 1,000 at CB on 16 Oct.

Common Gull: A high count of 450+ to the south of Arundel on 3 Jan.

Lesser Black-backed Gull:

Herring Gull:

Yellow-legged Gull: One at Littlehampton Marina on 17 Jul.

Caspian Gull: One at CB on 2 Mar.

Iceland Gull: Singles at CB on 14 Mar and PB on 2 Apr, with a possible there on 3 May.

Great Black-backed Gull: Most commonly seen at Littlehampton but sightings increasing further up the valley.

Feral Pigeon:

Stock Dove: 200+ to the south of Arundel on 1 Nov.

Wood Pigeon:

Collared Dove: An unusually high site count of 21 by the Arun just south of Arundel on 27 Dec

Turtle Dove: One at PB on 27 Apr and one south of Arundel on 27 Aug.

Cuckoo: Recorded calling and seen in very small numbers from the coast to PB.

Barn Owl: Waltham Brooks, PB and the downs near Burpham accounted for many 2018 sightings.

Little Owl:

Tawny Owl:

Long-eared Owl: One reported on 6 Apr.

Short-eared Owl: A high count of five on 6 Mar at The Burgh, from where many first winter reports came. Also reported from CB, WWT, Offham and Pulborough, where three on 11 Nov.

Nightjar: Reported from areas to the west of Arundel, where at least three on 14 May and 3 Jun, and to the south of PB, where at least two recorded. A passage bird was found roosting in the WWT reed bed in late Aug.

Swift:

Kingfisher:

Green Woodpecker:

Great Spotted Woodpecker:

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: One near Arundel on 21 Mar, one in Arundel Park on 31 Oct, and one at PB on 28 Dec.

Kestrel:

Merlin: Recorded during both winter periods, with singles reported from CB, Arundel, WWT, Burgh and PB.

Hobby: A high count of five at AWB on 1 May.

Peregrine:

Magpie:

Jay:

Jackdaw:

Rook:

Carrion Crow:

Raven: Increasing and widespread. The downs around The Burgh on occasion produced counts of 20 or more.

Goldcrest: At least 40 in the CB area on 10 Nov.

Firecrest: Localised resident and regular passage bird.

Blue Tit:

Great Tit:

Coal Tit:

Marsh Tit: A high count of seven in woods west of Arundel on 10 Dec.

Woodlark: A high count of 22 at PB on 22 Dec.

Skylark: High counts of 200 in the CB area on 6 Nov and by the Arun south of Arundel on 26 Nov.

Sand Martin:

Barn Swallow:

House Martin: Over 200 together at Arundel on 4 Sep.

Cetti’s Warbler: Found along the river in suitable habitat, with WWT one of the main strongholds.

Long-tailed Tit:

Yellow-browed Warbler: One in the first wood north of the golf course at Littlehampton on 15 Oct.

Wood Warbler: One singing at Arundel on 1 May.

Chiffchaff:

   Siberian Chiffchaff: One at Burpham sewage works from 17 Dec to 31 Dec.

Willow Warbler: 20+ in Arundel Park on 3 Aug.

Blackcap:

Garden Warbler:

Lesser Whitethroat:

Whitethroat: A high count of 50 in the CB area on 25 Aug.

Dartford Warbler: One at The Burgh on 4 Dec and 10 Dec.

Grasshopper Warbler: Passage birds at CB on 21 Apr and 29 Apr, at PB in late Jul, and to the south of Arundel on 5 Aug.

Sedge Warbler:

Reed Warbler: A count of 17 from Ford to Arundel on 8 Aug.

Nuthatch:

Treecreeper:

Wren:

Starling:

Ring Ouzel: A thin passage from late Sep to late Oct at locations including Rewell Wood, to the east of Arundel and at The Burgh.

Blackbird:

Fieldfare:

Song Thrush:

Redwing: A high count of 250 by the Arun to the east of Arundel on 2 Dec.

Mistle Thrush:

Spotted Flycatcher: Seven at Sherwood Rough on 7 Sep was a high count away from the coast.

Robin:

Nightingale: Absent from some former sites, with small numbers at others; the main site was PB with at least three territories.

Pied Flycatcher: Singles at CB on 26 Apr, 4 May, and 13-14 Sep, one at Arundel Park on 3 Aug, one at PB on 10 Aug, and one at Sherwood Rough on 7 Sep.

Black Redstart: one at CB on 5 May and one at Arundel WWT on 26 Nov.

Common Redstart: A high count of eight at CB on 30 Aug.

Whinchat: Numerous return passage records with a high count of 10 at PB on 24 Aug.

Eurasian Stonechat:

Northern Wheatear: A high count of 30 at CB on 7 Sep.

Dunnock:

House Sparrow:

Yellow Wagtail: Scarce on passage apart from the coast, where a high count of 200 at CB on 4 Sep.

Grey Wagtail: At least two pairs bred in the Arundel area.

Pied Wagtail: 200+ roosted at WWT on 3 Nov.

Tree Pipit: Singles at PB on 14 Apr and 24 Aug, with two at CB on 1 Sep.

Meadow Pipit: A high count of 200 at CB on 22 Sep.

Rock Pipit: Two recorded at CB on 27 Sep. Singles there on 6 Sep, 3 Nov and 25 Nov.

Water Pipit: One at CB on 21-22 Apr.

Brambling: Small numbers recorded at PB and Arundel Park.

Chaffinch:

Hawfinch: Good numbers in the first quarter of the year following an unprecedented arrival from the continent, with a peak count of at least 55 near Sherwood Rough on 26 Jan. There were far fewer later in the year but eight were seen at Sherwood Rough on 29 Oct.

Bullfinch:

Greenfinch: A high count of 50 at CB on 2 Nov.

Linnet: High counts of 170 at Sherwood Rough on 24 Sep, and 164 at The Burgh on 14 Dec.

Lesser Redpoll: Five at WWT on 13 Jan, four south of Arundel on 18 Oct.

Common Crossbill: Four at Sherwood Rough on 11 Mar and 10 nearby on 23 Oct. Four at PB on 12 Jun.

Goldfinch: A high count of 300 at CB on 15 Oct.

Siskin: A high count of 25 at CB on 21 Oct.

Corn Bunting: Small numbers near The Burgh and vicinity.

Yellowhammer: A count of 70+ at Arundel Park on 2 Feb.

Reed Bunting:

Escapes/feral:

Black Swan: Two at PB in late Dec

Swan Goose: Two at PB on 17 Jan.

Ruddy Shelduck: Up to three at AWB, PB and WWT in Jan and Feb.

Muscovy Duck: One resident at Swanbourne Lake.

Red-billed Teal: One at PB on 25 Nov.