It’s been a while since I’ve walked the river between Stretham & New Inn, but as this morning was cooler, Angela, Ezio and I went round pretty well the whole of the Area 9 circuit.  Rain was supposed to clear by about 9, but actually continued all morning – we weren’t really complaining though!

Not that many species today.  A Jay called as we came out from the bridge under the railway line, and a young Buzzard called plaintively.  As we got to the fields we saw scores of Swallows and House Martins over the brooks, two Herons flew along, passing a third that was on the bank, and a Kestrel was on the top of a dead tree.  A loud Cetti’s was somewhere to the west, and the cormorant roost site was occupied by a young Red Kite. Flock of over 100 Rooks and Jackdaws in the field to the east.  Very quiet along the Adur other than yet more House Martins and Swallows flying low over Sharon’s fields and the river. Couldn’t tell if there were any Sand Martins there too – still raining, and any birds I could focus on were not that species!  A well-camouflaged moth,  was a Vestal – migrant  species from Europe according to UK Moths, which appears in good numbers in some years from August-October.   A little vole scurried across in front of Angela.  Along the Hollands Lane bridleway a Buzzard flew off from a tree, a Wren sang, and a Chiffchaff called.

And that was about it!