Lesser Florican - August 2023

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Tuesday 22 May 2018

Cuckmere Haven & Seaford Head 22/5/18

My first day off today after a long week at work where foreign highlights have included a trio of Alpine Swifts at Naples Airport, and lots of Pallid Swifts at Marrakech Airport.

Last night I tried Splash Point for half hour where a Bonxie and 55 Commic Terns were seen. The Cuckmere produced a few Common Sandpipers and six Dunlin along the river. I walked the ditches in the upper Cuckmere hoping to flush a rare Bittern or similar but just a few Hairy Dragonflies and Blue-tailed Damselflies of note.

Today after a bit of a lay in I first tried Splash Point as a couple of Poms had been seen at Selsey. No Poms and the only noteworthy bird was a Spotted Flycatcher flying in off and landing on the brick compound above the point.

The Cuckmere was marginally better today with a mobile flock of six Common Sandpipers along the river, a family group of 12 Shelduck (10 fledglings) and a Wheatear by the scrape. On Seaford Head were 5 Spotted Flycatchers and a Sedge Warbler, but I was more pleased to find three Adders, including two youngsters. Also lots of Butterflies on the wing.

A walk along the cliffs between Peacehaven and Newhaven this evening was fairly quiet apart from a Whinchat that saved a nearly fruitless walk.

Redshank in the Cuckmere
Sedge Warbler at Seaford Head

Small Copper in Hope Bottom
Dingy Skipper in Hope Bottom
Brown Argus in Hope Bottom
Grizzled Skipper at Hope Gap
Adder at Hope Gap
presumed Common Lizard