Sunday 18th November - Dipping in West Sussex

After last weekends bad decision I made another this. Saturdays forecast was not good and Sunday's was very good so I put off the trip to West Sussex until the Sunday. Only to find that the rain didn't happen on the Saturday and the Common Crane at Amberley flew mid morning. Still it left the Hooded Merganser at Pagham and the Red Breasted Goose at Farlington.

I decided to stop first at Pagham, and despite the number of birders after an hour and a half the Hoodie couldn't be found. The Black Brant was a consolation. So set off to Farlington Marshes at the junction of the A3 and A27

 An hour and a half of searching through the 100s of Brent Geese drew a blank, only to be told the Red breasted Goose hadn't been seen today. (came into roost after I left) However the numbers of Dunlin and Knot that were pushed up by the tide was impressive. 

Brent Goose

 A return visit to Pagham only to be told still no sign of the Hoodie (Hasn't been seen since) I set off to West Dean Woods where the trees were in their autumn glory.

 Looking into the sun the Little Owl was in its usual tree

 Looking with the sun behind me the Owl wasn't visible only a crow

A walk along the road by Staple Ash Farm plenty of Chaffinches all the Tits except Willow, no Hawfinch, no Kites and even no Buzzards.

On the way home stopped off at Waltham Brooks hoping for another Owl and still hoping!