2019 list

195 species were recorded in the Arun Valley in 2019, representing some two-thirds of the 288 species ever recorded in the valley. The list excludes three unquestionably feral or escaped species, which would take the total to 198.

At 195, the number of species is exactly the same as in 2018. However, 17 species were recorded in 2019 but not 2018, and vice versa. These are listed at the end.

It is important to note what the list is, and isn’t. Firstly, while salient information is included, the emphasis is on brevity. Secondly, it is entirely unofficial. It includes reports from various sources which may be rejected by the official records committees and organisations.

Corrections of errors and additions to the list are welcomed. However, current sightings should be sent to the relevant websites, and, most importantly, entered into Birdtrack.

I can provide a word version of the list – email mcdbirder@gmail.com.



Abbreviations:

AWB – Amberley Wild Brooks

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

PB – Pulborough Brooks

SR -- Sherwood Rough (SU997093)

SL -- Swanbourne Lake

WB – Waltham 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 10 present in the Burpham-Offham area from 1 Jan to 14 Feb. Three returned to AWB on 25 Dec, where they remained to the year end.



Mute Swan: Highest count noted was 89 between Arundel and Littlehampton on 20 Jan.



Pink-fronted Goose: One at PB from 16-22 May.



White-fronted Goose: One to two at PB on various dates from 13 Jan to 23 Mar, with two there from 18-24 Dec.



Greylag Goose: Main concentrations were at PB and WWT.



Canada Goose: 1,600 estimated at PB on 7 Nov.



Barnacle Goose: Two at WWT on 20 Apr, two at PB on 12 May and 24 there on 21 Dec. 12 flew west past CB on 27 May.



Brent Goose: Mostly seen on the coast, with about 100 at CB on 3 Jan. Inland, one was at PB from 30 Oct to 1 Nov.



Egyptian Goose: Recorded throughout the year at sites across the valley. Most frequently recorded at PB but occasionally at other locations including CB, WWT, SL and AWB. At least two pairs bred.



Common Shelduck: Scattered records across the valley, with 32 recorded at PB on 7 Apr.



Mandarin Duck: Most often recorded at SL, WWT and Clear Springs Trout Farm Arundel, with 13 at SL on 10 Jan. Several pairs bred. They became much scarcer in second half of year, possibly because of low water levels at some favoured sites.



Eurasian Wigeon: 400 counted at AWB on 9 Mar, with at least 1,000 estimated there on 28 Dec.



Gadwall: Key concentrations at WWT and SL, with 132 at the latter site on 10 Jan. At least two pairs bred.



Eurasian Teal: Widely recorded across the valley in both winter periods, with the main concentrations at PB, AWB, WWT and Burpham water meadows. 500 estimated at AWB on 28 Dec.



Mallard: 227 at WWT on 16 Dec.



Pintail: Most records came from PB where 100+ recorded on 2 Nov and 16 Nov.



Garganey: Up to three at WB from 24 Mar to at least 6 Apr. Up to two at PB from 11-21 Apr, where also one on 27 Jul.



Shoveler: WWT and PB among the key sites.

Pochard: Most regularly recorded at WWT and SL. Up to 17 commuted between the two sites in mid to late Jan.

Tufted Duck: Main concentrations at WWT and SL, with 104 at the latter on 6 Jan.

Common Scoter: All records from CB, with a high count of 60 going east on 30 Apr.

Smew: A redhead at PB on 24 Nov.

Red-breasted Merganser: 35 offshore from CB on 31 Jan was peak count.

Goosander: Singles at PB on 16 Feb and 14 Dec.

Quail: At least one on the downs on 28 May.

Red-legged Partridge: Most often recorded at The Burgh and nearby downland areas.

Grey Partridge: Most records came from the downs near The Burgh, and CB. Other double-figure counts included 14 at Burpham on 17 Jan and 16 by the Arun south of Arundel on 3 Nov.

Pheasant:

Red-throated Diver: Occasional offshore or past CB, with high counts of 74 mainly west on 31 Jan and 55 east on 5 Feb.

Black-throated Diver: Singles past CB on 6 Jan, 12 Jan and 5 Feb.

Great Northern Diver: One past CB on 4 Jan.

Fulmar: One past CB on 20 Apr, two on 25 Apr, five on 30 Apr, and two on 26 Jun.

Manx Shearwater: Three west past CB on 9 May.

Storm Petrel: One was two miles off Littlehampton on 20 May.

Gannet: Occasional offshore CB, sometimes in large numbers with 1,200 east, 100 west on 31 Jan.

Cormorant: 12 at WWT on 5 Nov.

Shag: Two past CB on 5 Feb and one past on 1 Oct.

Bittern: One at WWT from 23-25 Nov.

Black-crowned Night Heron: One reported at AWB in May.

Cattle Egret: Between one and eight recorded near Lyminster from 1 Jan to 5 Apr. Singles were at PB on 10 Mar and 18 May, while one was at WWT on 3 Mar, with up to four roosting there from 14-20 Mar. Ten were south of Arundel on 27 Sep and one there on 7 Oct, with singles at CB on 5 Oct and WB on 30-31 Dec. From one to three roosted intermittently at WWT from 27 Oct to the year end.

Little Egret: Regular throughout the year at suitable locations along the Arun, often in numbers. Ten roosted at WWT on 2 Jan and 14 were along the river between Arundel and Littlehampton on 3 Sep.

Great White Egret: Increasing in occurrence, with singles at Lyminster on 20 Mar, AWB on 4 May, PB on 9 Apr, 19 Jul, 21 Jul and 22 Nov, and WWT on 29 Dec.

Grey Heron: Bred successfully in the valley.

Little Grebe: Occasional on the Arun and water bodies such as SL and WWT. At least three pairs bred.

Great-crested Grebe: A high count of 35 offshore CB on 31 Jan. Occasional on the Arun and nearby water bodies, including singles on floods at PB and AWB in late Dec.

Red-necked Grebe: One offshore from CB on 3-4 Jan.

Slavonian Grebe: One offshore from CB on 3 Jan and five there on 22 Mar.

Honey-buzzard: Singles recorded at PB on 10 May, 6 Jun and 21 Aug, at WWT on 23 May, and at Arundel on 1 Jun.

Red Kite: Highest numbers were recorded at The Burgh and nearby downland, with 38 on 30 Oct.

White-tailed Eagle: One in the Rewell Woods area on 1-2 May.

Marsh Harrier: Increasing in occurrence by the river and on the downs. The roost at WWT held 9 on 19 Mar and 11 on 29 Dec.

Hen Harrier: Records came from The Burgh and nearby downland, Sherwood Rough, and PB, WB, AWB and Warningcamp in the river valley. Records occurred from Jan to Apr and Nov to Dec, with at least five estimated in the area from late Nov to the year end.

Goshawk: Sightings still only occasional, but increasing and becoming more widespread.

Sparrowhawk:

Buzzard: Double-figure counts on occasion at The Burgh

Osprey: Singles at PB on 21 Apr and WWT on 7 Aug.

Water Rail: Most frequently reported at WWT but recorded in suitable habitat across the valley.

Moorhen:

Coot:

Stone-curlew: One recorded flying over Pulborough at night on 22 Mar.

Black-winged Stilt: Two at PB on 21 May, and one reported there on 27 Aug.

Avocet: Two past CB on 23 Apr. One to six at PB on various dates from 27 Apr to 16 Jul.

Oystercatcher: High count of 60+ at CB on 17 Sep. At least one pair bred successfully in the valley.

Grey Plover: Almost all records came from CB, where 80 on 22 Jan. One flew through PB on 21 Dec.

Golden Plover: Recorded most often at PB, where a high count of 30 on 10 Feb. Other records included 23 south of Arundel on 2 Feb, five at CB on 22 Mar, and five at The Burgh on 4 Dec.

Ringed Plover: Most records came from PB and the coast, with 60 at CB on 27 Dec.

Little Ringed Plover: Reported from 17 Mar to late Aug. Most frequently seen at PB, where 9 on 12 Jul. Singles by the Arun south of Arundel on 5 Apr and 28 Aug.

Lapwing: PB held the main breeding population in the valley, with young seen on 14 Apr. PB also posted the highest counts, with c2000 on 6 Feb. At AWB there were c1000 on 31 Dec and on the Lyminster water meadows 410 on 20 Jan.

Whimbrel: Occurs on passage from the coast to PB, mainly in spring. At CB 20 east on 20 Apr and 13 east on 24 Apr. At PB 1-7 from 11 Apr to 9 May.

Curlew: Mostly recorded from CB, where a high count of 40 on 8 Jan.

Black-tailed Godwit: Mainly found at PB, where high counts of c600 on 13 Feb and c500 on 3 Dec. On the Lyminster water meadows 130 recorded on 2 Mar.

Bar-tailed Godwit: Mostly seen offshore or on the coast. High count was 40 east past CB on 24 Apr.

Turnstone: Almost all were seen at CB, with high counts of 120 on 31 Jan and 27 Dec.

Knot: Singles at CB on 6 Apr, 27 Aug, 1 Oct and 25 Oct.

Ruff: Occasional at PB in winter and on passage, with a high count of 7 on 5 Jan. Also singles by the Arun south of Arundel on 19 May, CB on 11-12 Sep and AWB on 30-31 Dec.

Sanderling: A high count of 90 at CB on 22 Jan.

Dunlin: Most records came from PB, where a high count of 12 from 10-12 May.

Purple Sandpiper: One at CB on 30 Sep.

Red-necked Phalarope: A male at PB from 13-14 Jun and a juvenile from 11-17 Sep were the first and second records for the site.

Common Sandpiper: Most commonly occurs on protracted spring and autumn passage but some winter by the Arun from Arundel to Littlehampton. Most sightings are on the coast and lower stretches of the river, with a high count of 22 between Arundel and Littlehampton on 26 Jul.

Green Sandpiper: Occasional to regular in suitable habitat along the valley, with a high count of 13 at PB from 27 Jul to early Aug.

Greenshank: Most records came from PB, with up to 3 present between 14-28 Apr.

Wood Sandpiper: Singles at PB on 7 May, 18 Jun, 28 Jul to 11 Aug, 29 Oct and 1 Nov. Two at WWT on 3 Jul and 1 on 24 Aug.

Common Redshank: A scarce breeder, with PB the main centre, with 31 there on 30 Jul. Regular in small numbers at suitable sites along the coast and river in both winter periods.

Jack Snipe: Singles at WWT on 12 Oct, 17 Nov and 29 Dec. One by the Arun at Offham on 23 Dec.

Woodcock: Records came from PB, Burpham, WWT, Rewell Wood and CB.

Common Snipe: Most often seen at PB and WWT. Counts at the latter site included 48 on 15 Mar and 45 on 17 Nov. Drumming heard at one location in early May.

Arctic Skua: Four east past CB on 25 Apr and one west on 1 Oct.

Great Skua: Four east past CB on 5 Apr followed by one east on 6 Apr, three east and four west on 11 Apr, and 13 east or offshore on 25 Apr.

Razorbill: 50 east past CB on 31 Jan among c1000 auk species. One east there on 9 May.

Common Guillemot: one offshore CB on 6 Apr.

Little Tern: One offshore CB on 24 Apr.

Sandwich Tern: Birds moving east past CB recorded on seven days between 23 Mar and 7 May, with a peak count of 122 on 25 Apr.

Common Tern: Birds seen at CB included nine moving east on 7 May. Inland records included one on the Arun south of Arundel on 9 May.

Kittiwake: Five east past CB on 5 Feb.

Black-headed Gull: 660 recorded at WWT on 23 Feb.

Little Gull: Occasional at CB, including one on 30 Sep. Inland records included two at PB on 4 Mar and one at WWT on 20 Apr.

Mediterranean Gull: Smaller numbers than in 2018, with a peak count of 112 by the Arun south of Arundel on 11 Oct. A record of 105 flying north over WB on 18 Apr was noteworthy.

Common Gull: A high count of c1000 at WWT on 2 Mar.

Lesser Black-backed Gull: Recorded in small numbers, mainly near the coast.

Herring Gull: 634 recorded between Arundel and Littlehampton on 26 Jul.

Yellow-legged Gull: Singles at PB on 3 Aug and SL from 13-16 Aug. Three between Ford and Littlehampton on 26 Jul.

Caspian Gull: One at PB on 9 Feb.

Great Black-backed Gull: Most commonly seen at Littlehampton but records further up the valley are increasing, often referring to 2-3 birds.

Feral Pigeon: 98 counted at SL in late December

Stock Dove: c500 at CB on 20 Oct.

Wood Pigeon: c5000 at CB on 28 Oct.

Collared Dove: 103 counted at CB on 16 Oct.

Turtle Dove: One by the Arun south of Arundel on 14 Sep.

Cuckoo: Recorded in small numbers from the coast to PB.

Barn Owl: PB, WB, AWB, the Burgh and WWT accounted for most sightings. Several pairs bred.

Little Owl: Small numbers recorded in the valley from CB to PB.

Tawny Owl:

Short-eared Owl: One opposite the Black Rabbit north of Arundel on 18 Jan, with one also at the Burgh in January. Records came from CB on five dates from 30 Mar to 24 Apr, and again in the second half of Oct. From late Oct up to two recorded at PB, AWB and WB.

Nightjar: Recorded to the south of PB, where four on 14 Jun, and from woodland to the west of Arundel, where at least three on 1 Jul.

Swift: Numbers appeared well down in 2019.

Kingfisher: Bred successfully at several locations.

Green Woodpecker:

Great Spotted Woodpecker:

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: One near Arundel on 1 Mar, one at PB in mid-March, one heard west of South Stoke on 11 Apr, and one in the Rackham Woods vicinity on 29 Nov.

Kestrel:

Merlin: Recorded during both winter periods, usually singly but with up to three seen on the downs on 30 Oct. The main sites included CB, Arundel, WWT, The Burgh and vicinity, and PB.

Hobby: Recorded from April to mid Oct, with locations including CB, woodland west of Arundel, WWT, The Burgh and vicinity, AWB and PB. Highest count was of at least seven at AWB on 26 Apr.

Peregrine: At least one pair bred successfully.

Magpie: A high count of 40 at CB on 22 Oct.

Jay:

Jackdaw:

Rook:

Carrion Crow:

Raven: Increasing and widespread. There were 23 at The Burgh on 3 Aug.

Goldcrest: At least 23 in the CB area on 3 Nov.

Firecrest: Rare resident and regular passage bird and winterer, with four at CB on 6 Nov.

Blue Tit:

Great Tit:

Coal Tit:

Marsh Tit: Numbers appear stable in woods west and north of Arundel.

Woodlark: Attempted to breed at one site in 2019. Up to 19 wintered at PB from Jan to Mar with 13 there on 10 Nov. One was at CB from 19-20 Oct.

Skylark: Flock of 70 by the Arun south of Arundel on 3 Jan.

Sand Martin: 50 feeding at WWT on 16 Aug.

Barn Swallow: 10000+ estimated moving south down the valley on 13 Sep.

House Martin: 500+ estimated moving south down the valley on 15 Sep.

Cetti’s Warbler: Found along the valley in suitable habitat, particularly north of Ford and to Pulborough with WWT one of the main strongholds.

Long-tailed Tit:

Yellow-browed Warbler: One reported at PB from 17-18 Oct.

Wood Warbler: One at PB on 18 and 23 Aug.

Chiffchaff:  Peak counts of over 100 at CB on 30 Sep, with 95 there on 15 Oct.

   Siberian Chiffchaff: One at Burpham sewage works from 1 Jan to 26 Feb, and one there intermittently from 3 Dec to the year end. Up to two at Coldwaltham sewage works from 20 Jan to 18 Mar, with two there from 13 Dec.

Willow Warbler: Arrived from late March. Return passage peaked in late Aug, with 40 estimated at CB on both 27 and 29 Aug.

Blackcap: 75 estimated at CB on 12 Sep.

Garden Warbler: On return passage a peak count of five estimated at CB on 25 Aug.

Lesser Whitethroat: Five estimated at CB on 17 Aug.

Whitethroat: A high count of 43 at CB on 20 Aug.

Grasshopper Warbler: Passage birds at CB on 15 and 31 Aug, and to the south of Arundel on 10 Sep.

Sedge Warbler:

Reed Warbler: A count of 20+ by the Arun between Arundel and Ford on 6 Aug.

Nuthatch:

Treecreeper:

Wren:

Starling:

Ring Ouzel: Single birds seen at The Burgh on 6 and 17 Apr, and at Burpham on 22 Apr. Return passage noted from 6 Oct to 3 Nov, with up to three at CB on six dates and one by the Arun south of Arundel on two dates.

Blackbird:

Fieldfare: 90 at Ford on 3 Jan, 110 at The Burgh on 8 Apr, 100 at PB on 17 Nov and 120 at AWB on 17 Dec were the largest counts.

Song Thrush: 25 at CB on 22 Oct.

Redwing: Highest count was 300 at PB on 17 Nov.

Mistle Thrush:

Spotted Flycatcher: There were up to 4 at PB on several dates in May. Highest count was 26 at Bignor Hill on 27 Aug.

Robin:

Nightingale: Absent from some former sites, with lower numbers at most others. The main site was PB with at least three territories.

Pied Flycatcher: Recorded on several dates from 3 Aug to at least 8 Sep. Sites included CB, Water Woods, Sherwood Rough, Arundel Park, Rackham Hill and PB.

Black Redstart: Singles at CB on 3 Jan and 1 Nov, with two there on 3 Nov. One was by the Arun south of Arundel on 29 Oct.

Common Redstart: One was at PB on 18 Apr, with up to two recorded at CB on six dates from 2-29 Apr. Up to four were at CB on several dates from 20 Aug to 9 Oct, while up to two were seen at Rackham Hill and Sherwood Rough in Sep. High count was 9 at Arundel Park on 30 Aug.

Whinchat: Numerous return passage records from 6 Jul to 2 Oct at sites including CB, Arundel, Rewell Wood and PB, with a high count of 9 at AWB on 13 Sep.

Eurasian Stonechat: Highest count was 18 on 17 Oct at CB, with 16 there on 20 Oct and 9 on 23 Oct. Other counts in excess of eight were made at Arundel, Rewell Wood, WB, and PB.

Northern Wheatear: Highest counts came from CB with 12 on 20 Mar, 14 on 30 Mar, 10 on 17 Aug and 30 on 29 Aug.

Dunnock:

House Sparrow:

Tree Sparrow: One was reported at PB on 14 Jun.

Yellow Wagtail: Scarce on passage apart from the coast, where a high count of 200 at CB on 27-28 Aug.

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

Pied Wagtail: 100 at CB on 8 Oct with 89 there on 23 Oct. 200+ roosted at WWT on 7 Nov.

Tree Pipit: A bird was seen displaying at one site on 12 May and bringing in food there on 23 Jun. Small numbers were recorded at CB, Arundel and PB from late Aug to early Sep.

Meadow Pipit: 107 were recorded flying north at The Burgh on 8 Apr. High counts of c300 at CB on 30 Sep and 15 Oct.

Rock Pipit: Singles at CB on 3 Oct, 23 Oct and 3 Nov.

Brambling: Very small numbers recorded, including one at The Burgh on 2 Jan and 11 Jan, and two at CB on 21-23 Oct.

Chaffinch:

Hawfinch: Most often seen at either Arundel Park, where 14 on 27 Oct and 22 on 29 Oct, or in the Sherwood Rough area, where 30 on 3 Nov, 22 on 5 Nov and 20 on 21 Nov. At one site an adult female with a juvenile on 23 Jun indicated successful breeding.

Bullfinch:

Greenfinch: A high count of 25 at CB on 27 Aug.

Linnet: High counts included 100 at CB on 23 Oct, and 80 by the Arun south of Arundel on 4 Oct.

Lesser Redpoll: 26 at Sherwood Rough on 21 Jan, and five at CB on 23 Oct.

Common Crossbill: One or two seen on four occasions at Sherwood Rough between Jan and Jun, with three at Houghton Forest on 19 Feb. One at PB on 12 Jan and three there on 2 Mar.

Goldfinch: A high count of 750 at CB on 23 Oct.

Siskin: Recorded from woodland west and north of Aundel, and at PB where 50 on 18 Oct.

Corn Bunting: Most records came from The Burgh and vicinity, with 16 there on 17 Apr. Five by the Arun to the south of Arundel on 26 Jan and one there on 2 Mar were more unusual, as was one at CB on 25-27 Aug.

Yellowhammer: A count of 40 at Arundel Park on 1 Mar.

Reed Bunting: High winter count was 50 near The Burgh on 11 Jan.

Escapes/feral:

Cackling Goose: Four at WWT on 20 Apr.

Black Swan: Two at PB on 6 Jan, one at WWT on 30 Nov and one AWB on 30 Dec.

Muscovy Duck: One resident at SL.



Species recorded or reported in 2019 but not 2018

Pink-footed Goose

Smew

Quail

Black-throated Diver

Great Northern Diver

Manx Shearwater

Storm Petrel

Shag

Eurasian Bittern

Night Heron

Honey-buzzard

White-tailed Eagle

Stone Curlew

Purple Sandpiper

Red-necked Phalarope

Little Gull

Tree Sparrow



Species recorded or reported in 2018 but not 2019:

Whooper Swan

Red-crested Pochard

Common Eider

Velvet Scoter

White Stork

Spoonbill

Curlew Sandpiper

Temminck’s Stint

Little Stint

White-rumped Sandpiper

Spotted Redshank

Black Guillemot

Black Tern

Iceland Gull

Long-eared Owl

Dartford Warbler

Water Pipit