Hope Gap, Seaford Head and Scotney GP 30/9/10

A fantastic morning today with Bob with the main highlights being a flyover Lapland Bunting, a Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Siskins and a Garden Warbler. Other bits seen were 44 Blackcaps, 36 Chiffchaffs, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrush, 11 Pied Wagtails and 46 Blue Tits.

Chiffchaff, Ring Ouzel and Short-eared Owl on Seaford Head.

After this Jake and myself went to Scotney Court GP and after a bit of wait we saw the Buff-breasted Sandpiper just inside the Sussex border.

A 'superb' shot of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Scotney.

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 23/9/10

The highlight by far was a Lapland Bunting which was viewed for half an hour between the barn and the wood. It appears to be a different bird from last week on comparison of photos. Also a fem. type Merlin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 13 Chiffchaffs, 23 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats and 5 Dunlin flew over.

Raven and Lapland Bunting on Seaford Head.

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 22/9/10

A lovely warm morning after a clear night resulted in most birds to have departed overnight. The first Ring Ouzel of the autumn was seen at the golf course being the highlight of the morning. Other totals included 4 Tree Pipits, 3 Grey Wagtails, 7 Pied Wagtails, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Song Thrush, 6 Wheatear, 53 Chiffchaffs, 33 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Redstart, 42 Blue Tits and a Swift.

Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Swift in Hope Gap.

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 21/9/10

Unfortunately no repeat of this day last year (Barred and Icky Warblers), but it was still a satisfactory morning. Totals included 2 Redstarts, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Reed Bunting, 95 Blackcaps, 32 Chiffchaffs, 7 Whitethroats and singles of Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler and a late Swift.

Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart on Seaford Head

Seaford Head, Grove Ferry, Oare Marshes 18/9/10

A great days birding today with a visit into Kent aswell.

The day started at Seaford Head where highlights included a COMMON CRANE briefly in the Cuckmere before moving onto the cliff edge, then lost to view. The Lapland Bunting was also still present though very mobile. Other birds noted were 662 Meadow Pipits, 9 Wheatears, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Swift, 1 Reed Bunting, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 77 Blackcaps, 34 Chiffchaffs, 4 Whitethroats and an unusual spectacle of 20+ Blue Tits in three flocks moving east.

Wheatear, Common Crane and Blackcap around the patch.

On my way to Beachy Head news came through of the Wilson's Phalarope at Grove Ferry, so i rushed over there and managed to get good scope views for atleast 10 minutes before it flew off. Also a couple of Bearded Tits were seen.

After this, i made a visit into Oare Marshes and got some lovely views of the White-rumped Sandpiper. It was in company of a juv Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin. Also a Kingfisher was seen.

Seaford Head 16/9/10

Working earlies all week is always a pain this time of year, and is even more of a pain when two fine patch ticks turn up. These were a White Stork and a Lapland Bunting(s). I was just getting ready to leave work when a text came through to tell me the White Stork had flown off.

However the Lapland Bunting was still showing and finally good views were obtained, though it was flighty.

Other highlights around the patch were numerous Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 10+ Blackcaps, Whitethroat and a Reed Warbler. Also a steady stream of Meadow Pipits flying west.

Lapland Bunting and Whinchat on Seaford Head.

Belle Tout + Birling Gap 12/9/10

Ortolan Bunting at Belle Tout

Icterine Warbler above Birling Gap

Isabelline Shrike-Gosport 11/9/10

Isabelline (Daurian) Shike form 'isabellinus' at Gosport, Hants this afternoon.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth 9/9/10

Convolvulus Hawk-moth in a Heathfield garden this afternoon.

Wryneck at last 7/9/10

A WRYNECK was by far the highlight of the walk this morning around the patch. It was only seen very briefly before it flew out of sight on the west side of the Cuckmere 500yds north-west of the coastguard cottages. A half-hour search after drew a blank. Other highlights included 24 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 18 Whitethroats, 7 Lesser Whitethroats, 38 Blackcaps and 10 Chiffchaffs.

Whinchat in Hope Gap.

Birling Gap 6/9/10

A long search around Birling Gap this morning in hope of finding the Wryneck drew a complete blank. The only highlight was a single Swift that flew eas and a Willow Warbler. However the amount of Autumns Ladies Tresses was amazing, with the majority being up the lane above Birling.

Stonechat and Autumn Ladies Tresses at Birling Gap.

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 5/9/10

Only half the patch was covered today and a distinct lack of migrants was evident. The highlight was a Grasshopper Warbler with showed very briefly. Otherwise very routine with 12 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 9 Blackcaps, 18 Wheatears and a Whinchat.

Peregrine at Seaford Head - a pair showed well all morning chasing anything that came close, including an Oystercatcher (a shame the Peregrine wasn't successfull).

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 3/9/10

A lovely, warm, calm morning today with a surprising new arrival of grounded migrants despite the very clear conditions, and the more expected overhead migration taking place. Highlights included 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 12 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 64 Yellow Wagtails, singles of Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Reed Warbler, 31 Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 62 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers. Hundreds of Swallows were moving east also.

Also my first Clouded Yellow of the year was seen.

Oystercatcher and Spotted Flycatcher at Seaford Head/Cuckmere Haven.

Birling Gap SOS walk 2/9/10

I led a walk today around the Birling Gap area on a very bright, calm morning. Highlights included a distant Honey Buzzard seen by all of the group, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 1 Whimbrel and 4 Yellow Wagtails. But the highlight this morning was this fine Continental Coal Tit found by myself above Birling Gap in a small pine plantation. Ive just heard this morning this is the earliest record for the county by two weeks since 1948.
'Continental' Coal Tit at Birling Gap.