Sunday 19 May 2002

19th May 2002 Beachy 6.30am - 1.30pm. Cold light West wind. Overcast becfoming clear and sunny at midday


Great Crested Grebe 1E
Fulmar c.15
Gannet c.5
Cormorant 1
Canada Goose c.15 Cuckmere
Shelduck c.7E
Eider 1E
Kestrel 1
Hobby 2 Beachy, 1 Gypsy Corner, Cuckmere
Peregrine 1
Kittiwake c.5
Auk sp. 1E
Collared Dove 3
Tawny Owl h
Swift c.5
Bee-eater 1 Picked out by JFC circling above Swallows above the Old Belle Toute Lighthouse. Very pointed wings immediately obvious with long pointed bill, yellow throat and blue body seen. Central tail projection noticeable. Called a liquid ‘tulip’ on a single occasion. Pale blaze of golden scapulars seen on single occasion. Circled above us often giving several deep wingbeats before making several long cirular glides at other times closing its wings against its body. Gained height before heading due south at 12.30 until lost to view as a tiny speck out over the Channel. Ex.
Skylark c.4
Sand Martin 1
Swallow c.100
Rock Pipit 1 carrying food
Meadow Pipit c.5
Wren 1
Dunnock c.5 including first juv. of year
Stonechat 2
Whitethroat c.8
Chiffchaff 1h
Jay 1
Starling c.5
House sparrow c.5
Chaffinch c.5
Linnet c.10
Goldfinch c.2
Greenfinch 1
Bullfinch 1 Ditchling Beacon
Corn Bunting 1