CLIMPING-LITTLEHAMPTON
West Beach lies between Littlehampton and Climping, and is of greatest interest during passage periods when good numbers of migrants pass through, including a number of recent rarities. Low sand dunes separate the hinterland from a sand and vegetated shingle beach. Inside the seawall are rough ground, Hawthorn and Blackthorn scrub, with small patches of woodland. Winter waders include Oystercatcher, Grey Plover and Sanderling. Fields support sizeable flocks of Lapwing, while Snipe and sometimes Jack Snipe frequent marshier areas. Offshore, Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Common Scoter, Eider and Red-breasted Merganser feed. Gull flocks may include occasional Mediterranean, Glaucous or Iceland. A variety of migrants occur in spring and autumn including small numbers of Redstart and Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Firecrest and Pied Flycatcher. Hobby and Short-eared Owl are occasional. The adjacent golf course is particularly attractive to Wheatear and Whinchat. Breeding species include warblers and Yellowhammer.
GREAT FOR Spotting rarities, flocks of gulls and Lapwings