night-time movements of Redwing and Godwits

This is the time of year Redwings start migrating northwards, primarily at night. Despite the cloudy conditions I counted a fair few overhead last night- listen out for them, the gorgeous atmospheric calls is one of my favourite, especially in October/November when it seems like the sound of autumn to me. If you aren’t familiar with their [...]

spring is here

that’s right, yesterday (26 Feb) my first Western Honey-Bee of the year in the garden in Seaford, plus a migrating Common Buzzard (buteo buteo) which flew over heading North. Among the gulls at Newhaven West Beach were an adult ICELAND GULL and a few Argentatus Herring Gulls (the scandinavian and nominate european race). Well that’s what I assume they were, but there are intergrades between [...]

All sorts at Cuckmere Haven

An extraordinary selection of good birds reported from Cuckmere Haven today by Liam Curson. They included two Little Ringed Plovers, a Water Pipit, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Black-necked Grebe and six White Wagtails, plus a smart Bar-headed Goose (picture of the last and further details over at SOS Sightings) Ordinarily, any one of these might [...]

Serin at Hope Gap

A female Serin reported over Hope Gap, Seaford at 7.35 this morning (via Birdguides).

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).

Pied Fly at Seaford Head

A female Pied Flycatcher in the wood at Seaford Head this morning, and two Wood Warblers there on Monday. (Matt Eade & Bob Self)

Black Kite at Seaford

A Black Kite reported at Seaford just before 9am this morning (via Birdguides). Nothing quite so exciting at Arlington Reservoir this morning, but a very brief visit produced five Shoveler on the water, and singing Reed Bunting and Linnet near the car park. Nearby at Berwick Station, a Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler singing, plus [...]

Garganey arrive

A day of Garganey action – an impressive three pairs reported with Teal on a farm pond near Arlington (Andrew Johnston, via SOS) but an extraordinary 26 reported flying past Seaford, amongst lots of other good stuff (Dick Gilmore, via SOS). In the past few days, there have been significant first arrivals of summer migrants [...]

White-winged Gulls, Seaford and Newhaven

On Birdguides today, an Iceland Gull reported at Splash Point Seaford, and a Glaucous Gull reported from Newhaven. Does anyone have any further details on these sightings? ***UPDATE*** Matt Eade posts on SOS: A seawatch at Splash Point, Seaford this morning from 07.35 – 09.05 produced a Red-necked Grebe flying east at 07.39, then Steve [...]

Waxwing in Seaford

A Waxwing seen by Matt and Bob Eade in Seaford today, near Seaford Cemetery – the first local record for some time. There’s a record shot of the bird on the SOS site. Another Waxwing was heard in Hove yesterday. Also today, a Black Redstart seen again at Newhaven Tidemills (Paul James, also per SOS).