Woodcock, Goosander, Hen Harrier

A few wintry movers in recent days: Woodcocks seen in Newhaven and Seaford, and a Snipe at Firle village (see Firle Birds).

In the Ouse Valley, a ringtail Hen Harrier and a redhead Goosander seen yesterday by Alan Kitson (per SOS).

Woodcock at Arlington?

From a moving car at dusk last night: a bulky, round-winged wader flying quickly across the road at Arlington village, towards the reservoir. Presumably a Woodcock.

A few minutes earlier, impressive numbers of Jackdaws and Rooks going to roost in Abbot’s Wood, near the Old Oak Tree.

Green Sand at Glynde

A Green Sandpiper at Glynde Reach, east of the Bridge last Thursday (Kevin Burns, via Firle Birds) – first record for the season.

SEOs at OEP

Two Short-eared Owls at the Ouse Estuary Project, Newhaven yesterday afternoon. (Peter Wilson, per SOS sightings).

Also recently, up to four Goldeneye at Arlington Reservoir (along with double figures of Wigeon and Shoveler) and a (presumed escape) Swan Goose on Lewes Brooks.

Little Gull at Cuckmere Haven

A first-winter Little Gull at Cuckmere Haven scrape this morning (Matt Eade, via SOS)

Black Redstart in Lewes + other recent highlights

A Black Redstart eating grapes from a vine at Castle Ditch Lane in central Lewes yesterday (Nick Ostler, via SOS).

Newhaven Harbour - still from video on Flickr by pete pick (click image to view)

At Newhaven, the number of Purple Sandpipers has built to 13 on the East pier (also a Shag there – Paul James, via SOS). Rodmell reported to be quiet, with just nine Corn Buntings and three Little Egrets – it’s often quite late in the winter before Rodmell gets the good stuff.

In Friston Forest, a couple of Firecrests with “even rarer, a single Goldcrest” seen by Bob Edgar (SOS).

Yesterday at Arlington Reservoir reports of 40 dead gulls along the northern shoreline (Tim Godby, SOS) – weather-related fatalities? – plus a couple of male Goldeneyes.

As in most places, both birds and birders probably hunkering down – but in between squalls, still one or two Lesser Redpolls around the cricket pitch at Firle, and increasing numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings around the village.

Mini Starling Spectacular

I have witnessed a small scale Starling spectacular for the last three late afternoons from the river bank at South Heighton. The flock at a guess numbers from the high hundreds up to a thousand birds and begins to form on the Pylons and power cables nearby. Its very enjoyable viewing as the birds twist and turn,mass together and stretch out in swirling waves. Yesterday the aerial display lasted for about 30 minutes ( from 4 p.m.) before the birds all dropped into reeds, which fringe a short section of the old River Ouse  course between the river bank and railway line, squabbling and jostling for position as they vied for the best roost perches and were quite vocal. This afternoon they were already in the reeds when I walked past but occasionally a few birds would fly up and move to another spot.

Short-eared Owl at Bo Peep

A Short-eared Owl reported today by Barrie Norman at Bo Peep, Alciston (from Firle Birds).

Yesterday, a Woodcock at Frog Firle (Alfriston) seen by Bob Eade, who also had two Firecrests in his garden in Seaford (via SOS).

Brambling in Firle

The first Brambling of the winter seen at Firle yesterday morning, with a group of Chaffinches at Place Farm.

Walk up through the village, past the church and onto the Old Coach Road, then view the yard with the straw bales and metal barn on the left, opposite the horse paddocks and just before the track turns sharply left.

Plenty of other common bits and bobs at this spot too recently, including Grey Wagtail, Fieldfare and Little Owl.

Also Lesser Redpoll heard daily around the cricket pitch in recent mornings.

A Bird in the bush….

A 1st winter Red breasted Flycatcher found by Jon Curson in Harry`s bush at Seaford Head/west side of lower Cuckmere valley late morning  proved quite flighty and difficult to follow as it flitted up, down and through the branches of a couple of sycamore trees mostly in the shade, only occasionally standing still to give good views, therefore only a rather poor ` record shot` was obtained. An excellent find though.