Owl Herding

Selected birds recorded on walks in the valley this week. 30 Oct (08.15-09.45) - Arun East, Millstream, Mill Road: 1 Water Rail, 3 Siskins, 36 Goldfinches. 29 Oct (12.35-16.05) – Rewell, Screens, Water Woods: 8 Hawfinches, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Greenfinches, 2 Firecrests, 13 Mistle Thrushes, 9 Song Thrushes, 14 Blackbirds, 6 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 1 Raven. 29 Oct (08.10-09.40) - Arun South: 1 Snipe, 1 Lapwing, 4 Reed Buntings. 28 Oct (07.50-09.10) - Arun East, Millstream, Mill Road: 3 Little Grebes, 14 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Stonechat, 6 Reed Buntings. 27 Oct (08.45-10.15) – Arun South: 1 Whinchat, 1 Red Kite, 1 Peregrine, 56 Lapwings. 26 Oct (08.00-09.30) – Hiorne, Swanbourne, Mill Road: 6 Siskins, 8 Chaffinches, 23 Teal, 9 Mandarin, 10 Gadwall. 25 Oct (08.00-10.30) – Arun from Ford prison to Arundel: 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Redshanks, 4 Lapwings, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 60+ Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Little

B irds recorded during walks at various locations in the valley this week. 23 Oct (14.40-17.40) - Arundel Park: 1 Red Kite, 50 Chaffinches, 150 Goldfinches, 20 Linnets, 3 Yellowhammers, 7 Reed Bunting. 23 Oct (08.00-10.00) – Arun South: 1 Red Kite, 2 Peregrines, 6 Reed Buntings, 3 Yellowhammers, 12 Song Thrushes, 1 Stonechat. 22 Oct (08.15-09.45) – Arun East, Millstream, Mill Road: 1 Little Grebe, 4 Meadow Pipits. 21 Oct (14.00-17.30) - Arundel Park: 3 Hawfinches, 35 Chaffinches, 3 Firecrests, 1 Marsh Tit, 16 Yellowhammers, 1 Reed Bunting. 21 Oct (08.00-10.00) – Arun South: 2 Coal Tits, 16 Reed Buntings, 6 Yellowhammers, 15 Song Thrushes, 4 Stonechats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine. 20 Oct (17.15-18.30) – Millstream and adjacent river: 4+ Marsh Harriers (roost), 4 Tawny Owls, 20+ Pied Wagtails (roost). 20 Oct (08.00-09.30) – Arun South: 1+ Ring Ouzel, 14 Blackbirds, 10 Song Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine. 19 Oct (1010-12.40) – Arun from For

The valley is cocooned in mist during the morning dog walk, bird calls more important than ever in identifying their presence. Robin numbers have been increasing and today each riverside bush appears to host one, all of them reciting the same sad notes. Cetti’s Warblers are vociferous but even more difficult to see than usual. In the distance a Raven croaks ominously several times, postponing its flight until the mist clears. That will not take long, even in these breezeless conditions. The mist clinging to the riverside earth is already thinning. The Robin in the next bush along is visible, drained of colour but its image sharp. Spider’s webs decorate the reeds and teasels as well as a disintegrating wooden fence, the drops of moisture on the gossamer glinting in the awakening light. Thrushes have been scarce so far this autumn, but a group of at least six Blackbirds are cloistered in the next bush, chuckling and moving occasionally before finally erupting and disappearing into th