27th March 2011 Beachy Head Seawatch 7.30am-9.15am ENE3 Overcast

Red-throated Diver 15E, 1 on sea

Great Crested Grebe 2E

Gannet 11E

Brent Goose 43E

Merganser 4E

Scoter 64E

Mallard 5E drakes

Shoveler 9E

Red Kite 1N juv. ex. over top of Birling Lane

Peregrine 1E notably dark on the underparts

Auk sp. 11E

Razorbill 1 on sea

Grey Plover 2E

Sandwich Tern 10E

Tawny Owl 1 grey phase

Woodpigeon 30E

alba Wagtail 3N

White Wagtail 4

Black Redstart 4 (including 1 singing Birling Gap)

Stonechat 7

Wheatear 15 ex.

Robin 3

Chiffchaff 3

Blackcap h singing

Goldcrest 5

Corn Bunting 1

Lapland Bunting 1 ex. fvo at 1.20pm

Siskin 1h

Carrion Crow 2 in off

Raven 1

Stoat 1

Juvenile Red Kite over the Birling Gap Lane

Aged by virtue of the visible pale tips to its greater coverts, pale vent and pale buff head.

Male Wheatear at the Birling Gap Lane

White Wagtail at Belle Tout

This individual's plain grey mantle is shown to good effect and its grey rump between its two middle tertials is just visible.

26th March 2011 Beachy Seawatch 6.30 - 8.30am N1 Misty & Sidlesham Ferry

Red-throated Diver 7E, 1 on sea

Gannet 9E

Brent Goose 452E

Merganser 4E

Scoter 124E, 1 on sea

Wigeon 2E

Shoveler 2E

Peregrine 1

Curlew 8E

Dunlin 3E

Black-headed Gull 60E

Mediterranean Gull 1E Adult

Sandwich Tern 6E

Red-legged Partridge 1

Stonechat 5

Wheatear 7

Black Redstart 6 ex.

Robin 3

alba Wagtail 4N

White Wagtail 7 ex.

Meadow Pipit 40

Chiffchaff 11

Willow Warbler 2 ex. (1 singing)

Goldcrest 2

Yellowhammer 1 male singing

Linnet 22

Chiffchaffs at Birling Gap

Female Wheatear amongst the Violets at Belle Tout

Male Wheatear at Belle Tout

Singing male Yellowhammer at Belle Tout

Four Black Redstarts together at Belle Tout

Singing male Willow Warbler at Belle Tout

White Wagtails at Birling Gap

Jackdaw at the Old Trapping Area

Just about annually, since Birding World published Identification of Jackdaw forms in northwestern Europe in 2000, it has been possible to find early Spring Jackdaws, often feeding in grassy fields rather than along the cliff edges, that show characters approaching those shown by Nordic Jackaws C.m. monedula. The above individual shows a silvery collar and grey underparts, mantle and scapulars that contrast with its darker wings. In addition its ear-coverts and nape appear noticeably pale. However, such birds somehow lack a 'feel good factor'. The underparts lack a scaly appearance. Is the collar broad enough? So, could they be Common Jackdaws C.m. spermologus being seen with the strong early Spring light enhancing their contrasts? Can they simply be explained by being worn by March, which can result in a paler collar?

Goldcrest in the Old Trapping Area

Goldcrest in the Beachy Head Hotel Garden

Sidlesham Ferry Pool

Hooded Merganser 1 adult drake

Mediterranean Gull 16 flew off east

Flock of Mediterranean Gulls at Sidlesham Ferry Pool

Drake Hooded Merganser on Sidlesham Ferry Pool