Whilst driving at Exceat Bridge an overflying Ring-necked Parakeet was a surprise. At Birling we joined Bob Edgar, with Ron Knight also soon arriving, for another enjoyable seawatch, that whilst comprised of fewer birds again there was a good variety of species passing in a light southeasterly breeze. Highlights included virtually all of the Little Gulls passing at an enjoyable range and our first Bonxie of the Spring. With the overnight rain we weren't too surprised with the pager bringing news of Wryneck, Hoopoe, Ring Ouzels and Serin in quick succession from Dorset and Hampshire it seemed the area might deliver. Chat Vale proved very quiet, a Red Kite flew west over the Old Trapping Area that held a couple of Chiffchaffs, the Hotel Garden was quiet and we didn't see anything more than a couple of Chiffchaffs, one of which was in song, in Belle Tout Wood. Given the overnight rain it was surprising that the Firecrests had moved-on.
Red-throated Diver 51 E
Great Crested Grebe 2 on sea
Gannet 58 E
Brent 35 E
Shelduck 1 E
Merganser 2 E
Scoter 191 E
Shoveler 2E
Red Kite 1 W juvenile
Bonxie 1 E
Arctic Skua 5 E (4d,1p)
Common Gull 20 E
Kittiwake 60 E
Mediterranean Gull 1 E ad
Black-headed Gull 10 E
Little Gull 18 E
Sandwich Tern 80 E
Commic Tern 3 E
Auk sp. 1E
Chiffchaff 4
Juvenile Red Kite at Beachy
the pale rump and pale tips to the greater coverts are juvenile characters
Differing primary wear reveal it to be a different individual to that seen yesterday
Red Kite attracting the attention of a Raven at Beachy
