Hope Gap, Seaford Head 6/4/10

A slight improvement this morning with bright sunny conditions and a brisk southerly breeze. The golf course, cliff edge and Hope Gap were devoid of any migrants. However a Yellowhammer was in Hope Gap (a good record for the patch) and three Peregrines were along the cliff edge.

Yellowhammer in Hope Gap

Jackdaw between Hope Gap and Coastguard cottages.

Around the coastguard cottages i finally caught a glimpse of a Phyllosc Warbler. I got onto it quickly and the well defined supercilium, long primaries, brown lower mandible, brown legs and yellow upper-breast that this was my first Willow Warbler of the year. A Chiffchaff was also nearby.

By the wood a a further 3 Chiffchaffs and Willow Warbler was seen and at the top of Hope Gap another 2 Willow Warbler, including one in full song and a Red-legged Partridge. A Swallow also flew over.

I moved on to Splash Point afterwards and met a few birders down there. Whilst i was down there the highlights were 10 Little Gulls, 8 Teal, 20+ Common Scoter and a close flock of 10 Brent Geese.