Seaford Head & Ouse Valley 11/4/14

A very productive morning on the Head today. An increase in yesterdays totals, as well as a steep increase in sylvia Warblers. The northerly wind was also encouraging a couple of migrants to get going overhead. The Wheatears were interesting this morning, two flocks consisting of 7 and 12, were present for around 5 minutes, before completely moving off again. Always nice to watch migration in action.

Anyway, totals for this morning are:

Redstart - 2 males
Whitethroat - 1 - first of the year
Lesser Whitethroat - 2 - first of the year
Willow Warbler - 40 including a possible acredula individual (see below)
Blackcap - 23
Chiffchaff - 15
Wheatear - 23 - by far my highest ever spring count
White Wagtail - 1 male
Swallow - 10
Meadow Pipit - 45
Spoonbill - 1 on west side of Cuckmere

An afternoon walk down the Cuckmere produced yet another 10 Wheatears including some cracking males.

This evening at Rodmell the Little Ringed Plover showed nicely, and on Lewes Brooks the Glossy Ibis showed distantly.

 I'm not really up on these pale type birds, but comparing the above two images with the lower image (P. trochilus), there does seem to be a significant difference, with the top bird showing much greyer upperparts and whiter underparts, whereas the lower bird shows the typical colouration of a trochilus. It also stood out like a sore thumb!!

(possible acredula Willow Warbler - Seaford Head)

 Willow Warbler in Harry's Bush

 male Redstart by Harry's Bush

 female Blackcap in Harry's Bush

Spoonbill on the west side today