Fishbourne Channel, Chichester Harbour Trip Report, Guided Birdwatching 1st Dec 2019

On the 1^st of December I was leading an event at Fishbourne Channel. At this time of year this area plays host to a vast number of wetland birds. Amongst the typical inhabitants several more unusual individuals had turned up.

Sunset at Fishbourne Channel earlier this year.

We started at Dell Quay. The tide was low, leaving a great deal of mud exposed. There were a nice variety of wading birds using this area, and from the off we could see grey plover, redshank, oystercatcher and curlew. Spread along the far bank of the channel were a large number of wigeon, this is a particularly favoured area for these delightful birds.

Moving up the channel the range of waders increased, and two species that fit the term ‘wader’ to a tee were seen. The first of these two was a pair of spotted redshanks; these are elegant, long-legged birds that are often seen walking (or even swimming… or wading!) through deeper water than most wading birds. As a classic confusion species with the more abundant common redshank, some time was spent analysing the differences between these birds. The second keen wading species was a greenshank. Another elegant bird with long legs, these are quite active birds and this individual was walking up the middle of the channel and foraging for food.

Around a freshwater outflow a water pipit skulked on the concrete of the harbour bank. Initially found as it called and flew some distance away from us, it is always worth keeping a mental note of where birds such as this land down. We managed to get good views of it as we had an idea of its general location. Pipits on the ground blend in quite well and can be difficult to spot save for some movement. This bird was a classic winter water pipit, with several features seen well distinguishing it from the closely related rock pipit.

On the rising tide seven goldeneye appeared, although they were regularly diving making counting them difficult! The males are real stunners with striking plumage and that bright eye. Also on the water were a number of great crested grebes.

On a recce trip the day prior I had seen a Slavonian grebe and a long-tailed duck, we therefore spent a while trying to find these. It wasn’t until we had nearly left that we discovered their whereabouts. They were surprisingly close in off the quay at Dell Quay. They seemed to be friendly and were regularly diving and popping back up within several metres of each other. Winter grebes can prove to be an identification challenge but this Slavonian was so close that most features could be made out relatively easily.

Slavonian Grebe, Fishbourne Channel. Photo courtesy of Les Phillips.

Long-tailed ducks are a bit unusual to see in the harbour. It is therefore fortunate that on the last two occasions of guided outings around Chichester Harbour we have seen this species, once around Nutbourne in November, and now around Fishbourne.

Long-tailed Duck, Fishbourne Channel. Photo courtesy of Les Phillips.

Three species of raptor were seen, the first of which was a peregrine falcon terrorising a flock of lapwing. Later on, a chattering of blackbird alarm calls highlighted the presence of a sparrowhawk; it had landed on a wire within a hedge, no more than two feet off the ground, crafty as always. The final bird of prey, a kestrel, almost got its talons on the water pipit mentioned earlier!

Just prior to leaving we had been having a chat about kingfishers, then as we were walking off the quay one called and flew straight over our heads, landing briefly on a boat, before flying off into the distance. Throughout the course of around three hours a couple of thousand birds were seen, and 52 different species recorded. This easternmost channel in Chichester Harbour is a fantastic place to be in the winter.

Hugh Baggaley