Port and Wey: 20 Dec 18

Church Ope Cove, St Andrew's Church and Penns Wood

A great lunchtime walk with the main highlights being 3 Chiffchaffs (one ringed) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Penns Wood, 2 Black Redstarts, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 33 Rock Pipits and a Chiffchaff at Church Ope Cove and another Chiffchaff in the grounds of St Andrew's Church. And as I made my way up Wakeham a Firecrest was in the grounds of Glen Caravan Park.

My first stop was the beach at Church Ope Cove and for the first time this Autumn all the birds I have recorded here individually, were all seen together plus a second Black Redstart. Also here were several Wrens flitting in and out of the rocks, boulders and even in the washed-up Lobster Pots. Off the beach were 30+ Herring Gulls making their way down towards The Bill.

As I made my way up the steps towards St Andrew's Church a Chiffchaff called from behind the beach huts and another was in the grounds of the church.

If I thought the beach was busy, I was in for a surprise as I walked through Penns Wood. It was alive with birds. There were Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Wren, Dunnock, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 10+ Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Herring Gulls circling overhead. Its amazing what a bit of sunshine can do.

Here are few images from today:

Looking north along the beach towards the Black Redstarts, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail and the 33 Rock Pipits. I'm surprised there are any Kelp Flies left.

Looking south and on the horizon "Lisa" makes her way around The Bill. The ship to nowhere. More below!!

The overwintering Stonechat........

.......very friendly and not for the first time he came to me again.

One of the 2 Black Redstarts here on the cliffs.

And the second bird.

And one of the above. It got confusing as they chased each other around, with one eventually going around the headland to the north of the cove.

The "Rock" Robin asserting his position.

Good number of Rock Pipits here today.........

.........with at least 33 counted.

The Grey Wagtail is enjoying the Kelp Flies.

Chasing them down.

And watching out for them.

Neither this male Pied Wagtail or the Grey Wagtail seemed to be particularly bothered by the others presence.

A Wren catches a few rays of sun....................

..........whilst this one was right at my feet in the Lobster Pot. I'd been standing next to the pot for several minutes and all that time it must have been in the pot feeding on the flies.

On the way up the steps to St Andrew's Church this male Blackbird seemed totally unnerved by me and the dogs coming up the steps. In fact he just carried on feeding on worms under the leaf matter, until we were right on top of him. As we passed him by he took off and then returned to his patch.

Looking down at the Cove from St Andrew's Church.

A very bare looking Penns Wood, but alive with birds feeding in the canopy, including these.........

......Chiffchaffs. I think this one is the bird with the leg ring, though its not that clear.

This one hasn't, but great to see 3 Chiffchaffs together in the wood.

Birds Recorded today: 30+ Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 33 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wren, Dunnock, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 2 Black Redstart, 5 Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

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