Splash Point 24/3/18

I arrived at Splash Point full of anticipation with the SE wind blowing, however one aspect I had failed to look at the night before was the NW winds dominating further west down the channel. This mixed with some rain in the channel meant from 05.50 - 06.20 I saw very little. I then decided to walk the headland where likewise no new migrants were seen. Intense hunger as well as few birds led me back down to Splash Point to join the others where thankfully over a 3.5 hour period a good range of species were passing, albeit at a slight trickle.

Inaccurate totals between 07.30 - 11.10 are:

Little Gull - 20
Avocet - 2
Teal - 4
Wigeon - 2
Pintail - 6
Brent Geese - 350 +
Common Scoter - 150 +
Mediterranean Gull - 1
Tufted Duck - 1 W
Shelduck - 10
Red-throated Diver - 15
Shoveler - 24
Gadwall - 3

Afterwards Dad took me to his beloved Wall Brown caterpillars at the back of Seaford where we found about 20 individuals.

On Thursday the Cuckmere produced a single Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot & a Water Rail. On Tuesday a single Firecrest was on Seaford Head, so all in all, a quiet start to the spring.

Black-tailed Godwits in the Cuckmere

Knot in the Cuckmere

Water Rail in the Cuckmere

Rook on Seaford Head

Wall Brown Caterpillar