Southwick, West Wittering & Gosport

Fairly early start, to get to Southwick Canal at first light, not a brilliant start with no sign of the Little Auk, which had taken up residence the last 3 or 4 days. While searching along the canal, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull flew East. And a Kingfisher fished the canal.

Glaucous Gull at long range from opposite the Power Station and in poor early morning light, before flying East (c) Ashley Howe

Assuming the Auk had gone now, we headed back West, stopping in West Wittering for the Red-breasted Goose which was picked out at over a miles range on the beach, amongst thousands of Brent.

Still heading West, my Dad and I popped into Gosport to see the Red-necked Grebe which showed well, unfortunately the light was pretty poor and photos wern't brilliant. A Peregrine flew overhead and a Red-breasted Merganser was on the bit of water.

Red-necked Grebe on Little Anglesey Lake, near Alvestoke, showing well and size comparison with Black-headed Gull and Little Egret in flight in the same area (c) Ashley Howe