Chichester Harbour Boat Trip

A cloudy and cold afternoon. Highlights were Great Northern Diver, Common Scoter, Slavonian Grebe, Peregrine, Golden Plover and, afterwards, Red-breasted Goose at West Wittering.

There were a few Curlew, Redshank and Brent Goose on the muddy shore before we got on the boat. Once the boat got going the first birds seen on the water were 3 Little Grebe. Red-breasted Merganser were numerous and we saw quite a few Great-crested Grebe. A Slavonian Grebe was seen quite a way off as was a Great Northern Diver. Both these were only seen by some people. However 2 more Great Northern Diver were seen and our boat passed very close to them, giving everyone wonderful views. A large flock of Golden Plover were seen fairly close on the shore as well as Oystercatchers, Turnstone and a large flock of Dunlin. 2 female Common Scoter flew past and these were found settled on the water on the way back. We also got a second look at the 2 Great Northern Diver. Lastly a Peregrine was fond sitting on some old concrete blocks on the shore.
After the boat trip some of us went down to West Wittering, where a Red-breasted Goose had taken up residence with the large flock of Brents. There were lots of Golden Plover and Lapwing and we eventually saw the Red-breasted Goose at the far end of a field. It kept fairly well hidden among the Brent Geese, but we all got a view of it.
Simon Curson