16th August 2003 Beachy 6.00am – 12.00pm. Overcast with fresh NE wind 4-5

Fulmar c.5

Gannet c.8
Little Egret c.20 a tight flock that flew across Exceat Bridge and to southernmost meander
Peregrine c.4
Sandwich Tern 4W
Swift 2
Green Woodpecker c.3
Skylark c.5
Sand Martin c.10
Swallow c.5
Pied Wagtail 1
Whinchat 1
Stonechat c.2
Wheatear c.5
Lesser Whitethroat c.2
Whitethroat c.5
Garden Warbler 1
Pied Flycatcher 2 both had insignificant pale marks on primary coverts. One showed a restricted white forehead
Bullfinch 2

10th August 2003 Scillonian Pelagic 5.00am – 22.00pm. Overcast with light N wind

Fulmar c.200
Sooty Shearwater 1 looked virtually black with hands swept-back. Silvery underwing coverts visible.
Manx Shearwater c.3
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel c.4 Short but broad pale panel across the upperwing coverts. Feet projecting beyond tip of tail. Appeared very slightly larger and rounder-winged than Storm-Petrels. One bird seen dancing across the water close to the boat. Superb.
Storm-Petrel c.250 broad white bands across underwing coverts seen only at close range when underwings appeared very black and white. Couldn’t see a narrow wing bar across the upperwing greater coverts suggestive of juvs. Superb views.
Gannet c.100
Turnstone 1
Bonxie c.20
Sabine’s Gull 2 adult summer complete black hoods. Superb.
Lesser Black-backed Gull c.250
Herring Gull c.150
Kittiwake 1

9th August 2003 Beachy 6.00am – 10.00am. Topsham 4.00pm – 5.00pm. Marazion 8.00pm – 8.30pm. Light E wind

Little Egret c.20 Topsham
Glossy Ibis 1 imm. Topsham. Dull bronzy sheen. White speckled head.
Spoonbill 1 Topsham
Scoter c.3E Beachy
Ruff 1 Topsham
Black-tailed Godwit c.200 Topsham
Tree Pipit 2h Beachy
Nightingale h Beachy
Whinchat 2
Wheatear c.5
Reed Warbler 1 Beachy – bright yellow feet
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Whitethroat c.10
Willow Warbler c.15

6th August 2003 Herts Tring Reservoirs, 5.30am – 7.00am. Clear and sunny

LEAST SANDPIPER 1 adult retaining most of its summer plumage. Tiny size matching that of a nearby Pied Wagtail. Crown brown with white spotting. Pale supercilium joining in a V above the bill. Bill wolly black. Breast streaked. Large dark centers to most lower scapulars. No primary projection. Yellow legs with long yellow toes. Rapid wingbeats in flight. Adopted a crouched posture. UK480.
Common Sandpiper c.5
Greenshank 3

Least Sandpiper at Startops End Reservoir (Andrew Moon)

4th August 2003 Burgess Hill School 5.00pm

Mistle Thrush 3 on lawns

3rd August 2003 Beachy 5.45am – 1.00pm. Misty at first becoming hot and sunny with light E breeze

Cormorant c.6W
Black Kite 1 juv. We watched it from c.11.00am until c.12.15pm when it flew north and was lost to view. Appeared quite pale-crowned and underwings lacked contrast except for black primary fingers and an indistinct paler area formed by pale bases to the primaries. Upperparts brownish with conspicuous pale covert patches. At times gave the impression of having pale tips to the tail feathers. Seen catching insects with its feet and passing them to its bill whilst circling over a sheep field near Friston. Often used tail as a rudder.
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel c.3
Peregrine 1
Sandwich Tern c.4
Swift c.50
Swallow c.5
Pied Wagtail c.6
Wheatear 1
Stonechat c.5
Garden Warbler 1
Blackcap 2
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Whitethroat c.15
Sedge Warbler c.2
Reed Warbler 1 reacted to playback from previous day
Willow Warbler c.15
Raven 1
Corn Bunting c.4

2nd August 2003 Beachy 5.45am – 12.30pm. Sunny and calm

Little Egret 1 flew west just offshore past Birling

Peregrine 1 juv.
Kittiwake c.15 off Birling including several juv’s
Sandwich Tern c.4
Swift c.50
Sand Martin c.6
Swallow c.5
Rock Pipit 2
Meadow Pipit c.25
Pied Wagtail c.2
Wheatear 2
Stonechat c.5
Garden Warbler c.3
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Whitethroat c.40
Sedge Warbler c.5
Reed Warbler 1 in subsong – reacted to playback
Willow Warbler c.35
Jay 1
Corn Bunting 1