Cold overnight but warming by the time we had walked the lane at Birling where just 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Blackcaps were seen. Whilst walking the Belle Tout loop a Mediterranean Gull was heard calling and whilst scanning for it a flock of 7 or so distant Egrets/Spoonbills out to sea were literally glimpsed flying high east but immediately disappeared behind the cliff edge - frustrating! We met Laurence by the Old Lighthouse who had likewise seen very few migrants. Another 3 Willow Warblers were seen around Belle Tout Wood where we met Kris Gillam who had already walked the Hollow and Cow Gap for very little reward. It was good to see Matt Eade near Birling where amongst a pulse of c.20 newly arriving Swallows, sharp as always, he quickly picked out a House Martin that was soon to be followed by two more. The Old Trapping Area proved deadly and with the onset of rain we called it a day.
Sparrowhawk 1
Common Buzzard 4
Kestrel 1
Mediterranean Gull 1 E
Swallow 20 N
House Martin 3 N
Pied Wagtail 1
Common Whitethroat 3
Blackcap 2
Chiffchaff 2
Willow Warbler 5
Linnet 40
Raven 1
Blackcap navigation explained at last
